A little boy asked his grandmother, “Grandma, can we watch Beverly Hillbillies together this weekend?”
How did that young child know about that old T.V. show?
Grandma explained, “One day he called me ‘Granny’ so I said, ‘I’ll show you what a Granny is!’” She let him watch a black and white episode, then told him he could watch a color episode if he was good.
“It’s pretty funny, but now he loves that show! I think I’ll show him Lassie next!”
Older adults and grandparents may have more to offer than they realize.
They can speak from memory on things a younger generation can only find in books or online.
Older generations are the best link to how the world once was, a world that no longer exists.
Older adults might think they have little to offer children because of their personal health challenges or physical limitations.
Here are 5 easy activities for older adults and children to do together!
Older adults can:
- Give children undivided attention. The kids probably can’t get that from their parents who are distracted with their jobs, busy schedules, other children or extended family, and non-stop interruptions from cell phones. As an older adult, your unbroken attention is valuable!
- Tell stories. What child doesn’t like a story! Tell them what life was like when you were their age. Talk about your childhood home and friends, the games you played, the chores you did, and what your parents did for a living. Describe a war, your favorite president or Woodstock!
- Teach about nature. Young children can be taught to identify flowers, weeds, birds, and bugs! Use these types of coloring books for added fun. National Geographic magazines have great pictures to share!
- Play classic board games. Hasbro has created a speedy version of Monopoly because parents are short on time but you can make time to enjoy the Game of Life, Scrabble, checkers, or Risk with children!
- Teach life skills. Do you know how to plant a garden? Can you make jelly? Can you teach a mini-cooking class? You are a wealth of information. Just make a list of your talents and you might surprise yourself!
Numerous studies confirm that children who are lucky enough to spend time with grandparents and older adults grow up feeling more serene, happy and secure.
So, older adults and children can spend time together for fun and wellbeing!
Do you like outdoor games? Read FREE Game for Children!
Are the children you love older? Then, read 5 Reasons Older Parents or Grandparents Should Learn to Text!
Don’t have grandchildren? There are children who don’t have grandparents, too! Get creative! Call your local library or elementary school to volunteer as a reader at storytime!
Share your thoughts in the comment box below…
Do YOU take time to enjoy children?
Do you think you’re a better grandparent than you were a parent? Why?
Can you share any ideas besides those 5 listed above?
Being a grandparent is exhilarating! (oldest 10, youngest 2) When they come to our place we have treasure hunts where they have to read the clues in progressive order. Easter egg hunts no matter the season. Cardboard forts and tunnels in the living room, and obstacle courses out in the yard constructed from odds and ends we find in Papa’s garage. All cheaply done and fun! When we performed the Nativity scene for their parents, aunts, and uncles they had so much fun they did it several times over! Without knowing it, they are learning life lessons like how to work together and respect each other and so, so many other invaluable skills.
My grandson LOVES cheesecake, and the pricey place it comes from. One day he asked me to show him how I make mine. ? . So he may be the only 13 year old boy that owns a springform pan, but we learned how to make one! Love ❤️ that boy! He knows a good cheesecake!
I love this, Sylvia! That’s part of his memories of you forever. Thank you for commenting. And I would LOVE to try your cheesecake! LOL