Rediscover childhood through your grandkids and make long-lasting memories together!
If you have grandkids, then you’re already aware of how much of a blessing they are. Seeing the world completely through their eyes is something nice that every grandparent should make the most of. What else could be nicer than being a child once again?
Childhood is probably the best period of our lives, but at the moment when it happens, we don’t appreciate it enough. Play, run, and draw silly things with chalk on the sidewalk with them; pay attention to their needs; and, most importantly, dare to dream big with them.
1. Make time to read/or tell them stories
Do you remember that time in your childhood when your grandparents used to tell you stories before bedtime? Heh…nice memories! If you enjoyed that activity and you want to rediscover childhood with your grandkids, make a habit out of this activity. Depending on their preferences, schedule a read-along session with them. If you have a nice story you remember from your childhood years, you can share it with them.
If you are unable to do this frequently because you live far away in a different state or city, set up a FaceTime or Skype read-along session with them, or record yourself reading the books so your grandchildren may hear bedtime tales from their grandparents even if they are not in the same room. These are small things but they matter the most in the long run. Sharing classic fairy tales with your grandkids is a delightful way to bond and reminisce about your youth.
2. Outdoor games are the best way to have fun
When I was a kid, I used to stay outside in my grandparents’s backyard most of the day during summer vacation. It was so nice and warm, and the best thing about these memories was that I had the opportunity to connect myself more with nature and the environment. Technology wasn’t that advanced, so there wasn’t any temptation for me indoors.
If you’re anything like me and sometimes you’re melancholic about your childhood years, this might be your sign you can rediscover it through your grandkids. Hide and seek, jump rope, hopscotch, or even Red Rover. Most probably, your grandkids will be happy to play with you because, in today’s world, they’re not so popular anymore, so it will be a completely new thing for them.
Besides bonding with them, it will also be a great way to relive your childhood!
3. Board games can be fun too!
You wanted to go out and play hide and seek, but the weather isn’t exactly nice, so you have to do something indoors. No worries, since board games can be fun for everybody, not just children! Uno, Scrabble, Dominoes, Monopoly, and Battleship are five of the best board games that give us sweet old memories. Let’s not forget about Twister too, which is another catchy game that you could suggest playing with your grandkids.
Whichever option you decide on, dear grandparents, it will be an unforgettable experience for everyone and a journey down a nostalgic road for you!
…psst! Would you like to play a classic game of Monopoly and teach your grandkids about finances and strategy? Then you’re going to love the price of this Monopoly available on Amazon. You should definitely try it out – my grandkids have been hooked since day one and we make it a weekly tradition to play it.
4. Do you have a hobby? Share it with your grandkids
Share with your grandchildren your passion for craftsmanship, cooking, gardening, or playing the piano. Do you have a family recipe that’s quite simple to make and that you learned from your grandma as well? Get your grandkids involved in the cooking process, and once it’s done, snap some photos.
Along with learning new skills, your grandkids will get to see you do something you love.
5. Movie nights
A scheduled movie night with your grandkids is never a bad idea! I made sort of a deal with mine, and in one weekend I get to pick the movie, and in the next one, the choice is theirs. Make some popcorn, dim the lights, and cuddle on the sofa. The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music are three of my favorite movies. Which are yours?
6. Bubblegum contests
I just found out that my grandchildren, who are in elementary school, are not very excellent bubble bursters! How come? I bought some Big League Chew and showed them how to blow a flawless bubble to make up for it. We now have competitions, and I can confidently state that they are nearly as excellent as myself! Haha!
7. Drink water from the hose
I know that you may think that “this water isn’t good for their health,” but you know what? I don’t remember having issues drinking from the hose every summer. Doing this with my grandkids helped me rediscover childhood, and I was happy I had the chance to do that with them too.
It is perfectly safe for youngsters to drink water straight from the hose in the summertime. So, go ahead and show them how to do it!
8. Encourage long conversations
Even if I would love to play games with my grandkids all day long, there comes a time when they and I sit on the couch with no TV, no laptop, and other distractions just to talk. I encourage them to be open to their grandmother because I am here to listen. Either I ask them questions like “What do you like the most about school?” or “Which one is the best toy at the moment?”
This is another great way to bond and build trust between you and your grandchildren. Just a small tip: no matter how hard you’d like to intervene in the conversation or lecture them about something remember that you were also a kid and you didn’t like it when your parents did it.
9. Draw together
Everybody loves drawing! Even if drawing isn’t necessarily your best skill, nobody should stop you from drawing silly things like round-shaped humans or animals with funny faces. Plus, it’s a great way to make your grandkids laugh out loud.
For those rainy days or chilly winter days when none of you have the energy to go outside, take a couple of blank papers and some pencils and get to work. Let your imagination guide you through a fantastic journey!
I tried drawing my grandkids while they did the same without looking at the page. Imagine what the ending result was! We laughed so hard that we promised to do it again.
10. Dance together
Did someone mention the word dance? Much like classic movies, you should watch with your grandkids, you should also share with them the music you used to enjoy in your teen years. While this generation is used to listening to Drake, Ariana Grande, Miley Cirus, and other singers, I am sure they’ll appreciate “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley or “School Days” by Chuck Berry.
Play some of these timeless tunes and have a dance party in the kitchen to introduce your grandchildren to real music. I am sure they will appreciate it. Don’t forget to also ask them about their favorite bands or artists. Who knows? Maybe you will end up liking them too!
How do you rediscover childhood through your grandkids? Tell me in the comments.
Is gardening one of your favorite hobbies? See here what are the benefits of it 7 Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors.
