11 Ways You Can Spend Quality Time with Your Grandchildren!
Is there anything better out there than having grandchildren? Spending time with them can definitely be magical. At times, though, we could easily run out of ideas when it comes to ways to spend time with them. We all want to be their favorite grandpa or grandma—the funny one, the cool one—without breaking the bank. Is it even possible?
How can we make special memories with our grandkids and control our spending at the same time? Here, you will find a couple of smart and frugal ways in which you can spend time with your little ones, but beware because all our tips and tricks have a certain anti-technology perspective. No one says there’s no value to the iPad and phones, but nothing compares to some quality time spent without gadgets around!
Origami
The history of origami goes back thousands of years. But we’re not going to delve into the intricate art of origami with our grandkids, oh no. We’ll just take the fun paper-folding part out of it to keep those little fingers busy and help them get creative for a couple of hours.
If you’re looking to get the best results, you will need a special paper that folds easily. Older children will definitely be able to produce more intricate designs than younger ones. You will need some good supplies, which include a guidebook (get yours from here) and lots of origami paper. In terms of costs, it will cost you under $20, and it can be done by anyone who’s over 4 years old.
Painting
To be honest with you, I think rock painting is really great for all ages. You can buy them or add more fun and find your own. You can use paint or paint markers to release the little artist in you that has been hiding for so long.
You can add them to your garden and plants, or even spread some joy and leave your happy rock at a local park. You will need rocks (obviously), paint or even paint markers, and a clear coat of sealant.
You have to keep in mind that the paint pens and sealant can be easily used on other projects and last quite some time. The costs will get you under $50, and your grandkids need to be over 4 years old. If you’re looking for a top-notch painting set, here’s what we recommend!
Crochet
Crochet and other needlework are all portable activities that travel really well. These incredibly calming and soothing pastimes can easily produce some impressive projects. Crocheting is very similar to knitting, but it’s much easier to learn.
As for learning, if you don’t know how to crochet, you can always turn to YouTube to look for free and helpful tutorial videos. You will need a good set of crochet hooks that cost around $5 to $10 and some yarn that’s usually around $10 to $20.
Food
Probably some of our best memories include food. Whether we’re talking about an angel food cake, hot dogs cooked over an open fire, or just gooey homemade fudge, we still remember every tasty morsel. Food is a fantastic way to connect with your grandkids!
Baking
Baking is a super easy activity for younger kids. Besides, each family has its own recipes that help create that beautiful atmosphere. If you have a family recipe that you learned from your grandma and you want to pass it on to your grandkids, then there’s no better time than now!
If your grandkids are still little, they won’t be able to learn the recipe by heart (at least not now), but this doesn’t mean that they won’t remember it for the rest of their lives! I still remember all the cakes and donuts my grandma used to make me, and as I grew up, I learned how to cook them myself!
Tea party
Why not use some of those baked goods as the ideal treat for a tea party? We used to have plenty of tea parties when my kids were growing up, and it was a really big hit. Our guest list also included two aging aunts and a grandmother, and each one of them came with their own fancy hats, so to speak!
It was the ideal indoor event for a hot and sunny afternoon in late June. A tea party is also the ideal time to discuss manners. If you have grandkids who are old enough to understand this concept, it would be a great opportunity to do some research on tea and teach them about manners.
Lemonade Stand
There are few things more adorable and popular than a neighborhood lemonade stand. A lemonade stand can easily kill a lot of time and give your child something to be proud of. If you convince the other family members to pay for the delicious result, then you can use that money to buy supplies for other activities on this list!
It can also be a wonderful opportunity to donate money to a good cause and talk about those who are less fortunate. It’s fun, and it has an educational twist!
Go to the driving range.
Whether or not you’re any good, golfing is definitely a wonderful way to spend the day together. Even if golf itself can get quite pricey, the driving range is still less expensive to spend a couple of hours on. In terms of etiquette, you need to make sure that you tell the child to not chase the ball after hitting it and to remain on the green mat when hitting the ball.
Also, don’t give too many instructions. At the end of the day, the whole point is to have some fun!
Bird watching
Commonly known as “birding,” bird watching is a great pastime. In fact, you would be impressed to find out how many people are dedicated to it. There are various resources available to help you identify birds in all kinds of areas of the world.
A pair of binoculars is definitely essential for getting the appropriate view, and a birding journal is also a wonderful idea for keeping track of which species you’ll see together! These wonderful creatures are around throughout the year, so why not teach your grandkids something about nature?
Hiking
Hiking doesn’t really have to imply climbing a mountain. I know this kind of activity might prove to be strenuous, especially if you have issues with your joints. At the same time, it might do you and your grandkids really good.
You can look for a couple of large walking sticks to help you down the line, and why not, if you feel creative, even make some sort of scavenger hunt for your hike? You know, just to make the entire experience even more pleasurable.
Fishing
Spending some quality time together fishing will definitely help you bond with the little ones. It doesn’t even matter if you catch something; the simple act of watching the world around you and spending time in nature together can make your day.
The majority of states might require a fishing license, but it’s worth noting that there are some exceptions for children under 16, veterans, and senior citizens. Technically, you and your grandchildren are good to go.
If you found this article useful, we have many other things in store for you, such as: 8 Important Things That Cost More In Retirement
