How to Strengthen the Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren
September 7th is National Grandparents Day, making this a great time to reflect on the relationship between your little ones and their grandparents. There’s something uniquely special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It’s a connection that bridges generations, passes down wisdom, and turns ordinary moments into lasting memories.
Here are some practical ways to strengthen the bond between children and grandparents.
1. Create Regular Rituals
Rituals provide a sense of security and something to look forward to. These don’t need to take a lot of energy or planning. Consider things like weekly Sunday phone calls or monthly grandparent dinners. Regular rituals, no matter how small, become touchstones of connection over time. Your child will look back on these with fond memories.
2. Have a Grandparent Storytime
Grandparents hold a treasure trove of stories about family history and life lessons. Sharing these stories gives grandchildren a sense of identity and belonging. Carve out a “grandparent storytime” once a month and ask the grandparent to share a story from their past.
Storytime is highly beneficial for kids as it helps them develop empathy and improve their active listening skills. If a grandparent doesn’t have a story in mind, you can ask them to read a kid’s book. Try one of these books about kindness or books about exploring the world.
3. Play Board Games
Board games are a fun, screen-free activity that can help grandparents and grandkids bond. Try a classic that both generations probably already know, like Candy Land or checkers, or pick up a brand-new game. Playing a board game on a Saturday afternoon is a great example of a ritual to start between grandparents and grandchildren.
Check out our list of the best board games for kids, including recommended ages of play.
4. Be Pen Pals
Writing letters with your child to send to their grandparents is an excellent way to stay connected. This is especially true if the grandparent lives far, but even if they live close, writing letters will help strengthen the bond.
If your child isn’t old enough to write, they can dictate the letter to you, explaining what they want to share. Be sure to keep all the letters that the grandparents send back, as these will be wonderful keepsakes as your child gets older.
5. Try Inter-Generational Show and Tell
Many grandparents have unique items in their homes that they’ve collected over the years, and many kids have items they love to show off. Host a show-and-tell for grandparents and grandkids to share about something that’s important to them.
This will help them get to know each other better and also help your child with creative and verbal expression.
6. Start a Band
Learning an instrument can be highly beneficial to a child’s development, and it can also help older people stay cognitively sharp. This means it’s time to start a family band. Being part of a band will give children and grandparents something to work toward together. Plus, there’s always an excuse to gather for brand practice.
From piano to a recorder, view a list of the best musical instruments for kids here.
Strengthen the Bond
These tips will help you strengthen your children's bond with their grandparents. Remember, any time spent together is good, and you don’t need to plan anything elaborate.
Grandparents can provide fantastic early learning support for your child. Check out this blog to learn more.