Every summer set aside some time and invite your grandchildren for a visit. Creating strong family connections is crucial in our overall well-being and happiness. My grandchildren live out of the state and each July we plan a weeklong visit to stay with us in Ohio. We love having them spend time with us and plan fun and memorable activities to do together. These activities include:
- Teach games we enjoyed as a child-Jump Rope, Jacks, Red Rover, Mother May I, Card Games, Solitaire
- Visit a state park, or battlefield
- Make ice cream
- Start a collection of rocks, bugs or stamps
- Go fishing
- Create a do-it-yourself science project
- Go berry picking
- Teach them how to preserve vegetables from the garden
- Go beach glass collecting
- Play charades
- Go on a treasure hunt in the yard – create the map ahead of time, and the treasure could be a special treat, prize, or game
- Paint rocks together and leave it around the community to spread kindness to someone. We often go back a day later to see if the rock has been picked up.
- Read a book together aloud each night, we are almost finished with The Harry Potter Series.
- Tie-dye t-shirts and get a photo wearing them
- Attend a sporting event
- Visit a splash pad
- Take nightly walks
- Visit a local playground
- Attend a nature talk at a state park
Building and sustaining relationships with our grandchildren is mutually beneficial. A recent study from Boston College, found that children who have a close relationship with their grandparents are less likely to be depressed as adults. For grandparents, a close relationship with their grandchildren boosts brain function, protects against depression and increases lifespan.
Have a wonderful summer and share with us your planned activities this summer with your grandchildren!
Written by: Beth Stefura, OSU Extension Educator, Mahoning County, stefura.2@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Margaret Jenkins, OSU Extension Educator, Clermont County, jenkins.188@osu.edu
References:
https://aese.psu.edu/outreach/intergenerational/articles/being-a-long-distance-grandparent
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-altruism/201307/summer-advice-for-grandparents
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