Grandparenting Class

Fun with grandkids: 19 fun (and nearly free) activities

by Eva Shaw, Ph.D.

Here are some "time and kid tested fun and nearly free possibilities" for you to interact and play along with your grandchildren.

• Go on a nature scavenger hunt (or nature sighting) in the backyard, the park or seashore. With list in hand (which you will need to make challenging enough for each child), seek out animal paw prints in the dirt, a pinecone, a pebble or an acorn.

• Take a walk in a new part of town. Stop in a park for lunch or a snack.

• Teach the kids a dance you did as a teenager. Disco? The twist? The hokey-pokey?

• Plant a garden, even if you are using pots on the windowsill.

• Place kitchen chairs in a line and create a train. Go for a magical ride.

• Look over old photo albums and talk about when Nana, Pops, Mommy or Daddy were just married or the kids were babies. Share stories of "back then." Have the kids share their oldest memories.

• Collect all the "junk" jewelry you can find in your jewelry box or acquire more from garage sales (discarding those things with sharp edges, points or small parts). Put on the jewelry and tell magical tales of brave women and men, all with enchanted abilities, of course.

• Get out the blankets and make a tent over kitchen chairs. Eat lunch or a snack inside. This is especially fun at night when you can turn off the lights and take flashlights inside.

• Cook or try an ethnic food. Talk about its history and the culture from which it comes.

• Learn a bit of sign language and talk with your hands. Boys and girls love to know "secret" hand signals. Your library has books for adults and children on American Sign Language.

• Learn some foreign phrases.

• Get a simple book on astronomy and study the stars. The skies are alive with magical heroes and mythical creatures.

• Re-tell a favorite book or story with a child as the main character.

• Ask about children/parent volunteer possibilities in your community. Participate in an activity that is age appropriate for you grandchild/children.

• Have a tea party. Make tiny sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly works, cucumber does too). Be sure to remove the crusts, get out the china and serve "tea" (juice, hot chocolate and hot apple cider are perfect substitutes). Make sure the table includes flowers and special napkins. When everything is ready, change into dress up clothes or tea party costumes; old hats with ribbons tied on the brim increase the fun. Pretend you are all at a fancy tea party.

• Pretend to be a tourist and visit the cultural or notable places in you town. Ask your librarian for a book on the area before hand so you and the grandkids can "study up."

• Lying on a blanket or the grass, look up at the clouds. Tell stories about the clouds.

• Take a long care ride with no exceptions or particular destinations. Do it at sunrise, twilight or at night. Swap stories, jokes and secrets. Listen to music. Be together.

• Be sure to share with your grandkids the free-and-fun activities that your parents and grandparents shared with you.

Next section: Things to remember as a new grandparent