10 Ideas for Connecting With Grandparents

Did you know that September 12 is Grandparents Day in the US? Other countries have their own special days to recognize grandmas and grandpas, too. In Brazil it’s July 26, in Singapore it’s the fourth Sunday in November, in Mexico it’s August 28, and in Australia, it’s the last Sunday in October.

The significance of grandparents has obviously taken on more poignancy and appreciation since COVID. After many scary months of separation for so many families, the vaccine offered some relief to connect again. But spikes, quarantining, and questions of safety continue to strain our ability to be there for each other in many ways we took for granted before.  

The good news is that there are still plenty of fun ways to connect in honor of this special day, both in person and remotely. 

1. Go through a scrapbook or photo album together. Compare what your lives have in common and what’s different.
2. Ask them to show you how to cook or bake a favorite family recipe. If you’re apart, plan a video call where you both have all the same ingredients. Then they can walk you through how to make it. If you both want to make something new, try one of our six favorite dishes from around the world.
3. Make a list of 20 questions and record an interview with them to share with the whole family.
4. Paint together (in person or via video chat) and exchange your art pieces when you’re done. You could even get the grandparents and grandkids Junior Artist: Global Art & Celebrations kits for them to do together.
5. Make a care package of all their favorite treats and self-care items. If you don’t know what their favorites are, now’s the perfect time to find out. Include a few of your own favorites too, with a note about why these treats (and your grandparents!) are special to you.
6. Play Memory over video chat: Lay out the cards with the columns labeled as letters and the rows labeled as numbers. Then they can tell you which cards to flip bingo style.
7. Have a storytime night together in your PJs and send them a homemade bookmark to say thank you.
8. Take the time to write a letter and send it in the mail. Include some blank stationery and a stamped envelope, so they can write back, too.
9. Ask them to show you treasures from their favorite travels, and show them some of your own.
10. Work together on a photo scavenger hunt. Create your own list of things to take a picture of or download one of the many lists online.

We’d love to hear the special ways you’ve found to stay connected. Please post your ideas and tag #littlepassports. We might even feature your creative connections on social media and our website for other families to try!

To all the grandparents out there: Thank you for all the love, help, humor, and wisdom you contribute to our families and our communities. We appreciate you this Grandparents Day and every day.