Inexpensive Ways to Entertain Grandchildren
Things to Do with Grandkids that are Low Cost, Fun & Easy Activities
Jan 17, 2009
For grandparents on a budget, it doesn’t have to be expensive for grandchildren to visit. There are things to do and activities to plan that are low or no-cost activities. It may take a little bit of planning, but there are ways to be with kids that will provide personal time together that can be inexpensive, simple and fun, and create cherished memories for all.
Put Together a Family Photo Album
All those photos stuffed in shoe boxes are perfect conversation starters for grandparents and grandchildren to talk about family generations and their place in it. This is great opportunity to show pictures of the grandkids' parents when they were children and initiate story telling about what it was like when their parents were young.
Plant a Garden
Children love to play in the dirt and also like to help, so create a small plot of ground that can be the grandkid's garden. If living in a condo or apartment, a container garden on a patio or deck can work just as well. Depending on how often grandchildren visit, grandparents may want to start with planting seeds with the grandkids.
Take a Walk in the Neighborhood
Plan a scavenger hunt that has grandkids looking for specific things, like a particular type of flower, or a kind of a dog, or color of cars parked on the street. Think of categories ahead of time and for the youngest children, show them an example of what they’ll be looking for. Take a stroll and look at what’s in the neighborhood. Introduce neighbors, stop in a local store for a snack or at a café for some hot chocolate.
Go to a Local Playground or Park
Playgrounds are always an attraction for children, and a new playground is an adventure. It’s a way to meet other children from the area or to just hang out with grandma and grandpa on the swing set. A stroll through a park to look at the flowers or the memorial statues commemorating certain people or events can spark interesting conversations.
Go to a Farmer's Market
Find a farmer's market either in the neighborhood area or on a farm out of the city, and let the grandchildren see and taste a variety of fruits and vegetables. This gives them the opportunity to talk with the farmers who grew the produce. Once back at home, a delicious fruit or vegetable salad can be prepared together for lunch or dinner.
Take a Ride on the Bus
For children who have never used public transportation, this in itself can be a real treat. Plan a bus ride to a shopping area or a park and explain along the way things that you see and how the bus takes people where they need to go. Let them pull the cord to signal the stop.
Spending Quality Time with Grandchildren
Children respond to the attention an adult gives them. Grandparents can build lasting memories with their grandkids by doing the simple things to create quality time talking, looking, thinking, doing and laughing together.
All of these activities with grandchildren can be fun and inexpensive ways to spend time together. Some of the activities may be dependent on time of year, climate, interests, or limitations of grandparents, but they will allow time for both grandparents and grandkids to be together in ways for them to get to know each other a little better.
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