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Things to Do with Grandkids: Fun Senior-Friendly Activities

Written by Discovery Senior Living | Mar 24, 2025 4:00:00 AM

Few joys in life compare to sharing experiences with your grandchildren. According to a report by Newsweek, around 40% of people of elderly individuals wish they had seen family and friends more often.

Spending time with grandkids is a great way to build strong connections and create lasting memories. Simple activities can bring joy to both generations while keeping things fun and engaging, and finding ways to enjoy time together helps strengthen family bonds. Our guide will showcase some of the most noteworthy senior-friendly things to do with grandkids.

Explore Nature Together

Spending time outdoors is one of the best intergenerational activities for connecting with grandkids. A walk through a local park or nature trail lets everyone enjoy fresh air and exercise. Grandparents and grandkids can:

  • Collect leaves
  • Identify birds
  • Even have a simple picnic

A visit to a senior living community in Crawfordsville, IN, often includes beautifully maintained outdoor spaces that make for a perfect setting. Sharing stories about nature or childhood memories during these outings makes the experience even more special. Here are a few simple ways to make outdoor time more engaging:

  • Walking trails offer a safe and relaxing way to stay active
  • Parks and gardens provide peaceful settings for quality time
  • Nature scavenger hunts make exploring more engaging
  • Feeding ducks or watching wildlife creates lasting memories
  • Simple outdoor activities encourage movement and bonding

A little sunshine and fresh air can brighten the day for both seniors and their grandkids. Just be sure to stay hydrated during your journey.

Create Arts and Crafts

Making something together is a wonderful way to strengthen bonds, whether painting or decorating picture frames; arts and crafts allow grandparents and grandkids to express creativity.

Many assisted living communities in Crawfordsville, IN, offer craft workshops where families can participate together. Choosing projects that are simple and enjoyable keeps the experience stress-free.

The joy of creating something by hand is a memory that lasts long after the activity is over. For a fun and creative experience, consider these ideas:

  • Painting and drawing encourage creative expression
  • Making holiday decorations adds excitement to special occasions
  • Scrapbooking together preserves memories in a unique way
  • Clay or playdough projects offer a hands-on activity for all ages
  • Crafting simple DIY gifts makes for meaningful keepsakes

Creative activities bring out laughter and a sense of accomplishment.

Share Stories and Family History

Grandkids love to hear stories, especially when they come from a grandparent's own life experiences. Talking about childhood memories or past adventures helps strengthen the bond between generations.

Sitting down with a photo album or old letters makes these stories even more vivid. Many seniors in an assisted living community in Crawfordsville, IN, enjoy passing down family recipes or sharing their favorite books from when they were young.

Engaging with history in a personal way makes it feel more alive for younger generations. A few ways to bring family history to life include:

  • Looking through old photos and sharing stories behind them
  • Writing letters or recording audio messages for future generations
  • Reading books together that were favorites from the past
  • Talking about traditions and how they've changed over time
  • Teaching grandkids a skill or game passed down in the family

Passing down knowledge and memories gives kids a sense of belonging and heritage, and it's one of the best forms of senior and grandchild bonding.

Make Fun Recipes Together

Cooking together is a perfect way to bond with grandkids. Whether making cookies or assembling a simple sandwich, the process is just as enjoyable as the final result.

Many senior-friendly events feature cooking demonstrations where families can join in. The kitchen is an area where laughter and teamwork naturally happen.

Recipes don't have to be complicated, either. Try these fun and easy cooking activities with grandkids:

  • Baking cookies or cupcakes and decorating them with frosting
  • Making homemade pizzas with different toppings
  • Preparing simple fruit salads or yogurt parfaits
  • Creating no-bake snacks like peanut butter balls or trail mix
  • Mixing and shaping dough for bread or biscuits

Cooking together creates cherished memories while teaching valuable skills.

Play Indoor and Outdoor Games

Playing games with grandkids is a great way to stay active and have fun. Simple board games or even classic outdoor activities can bring generations together. The time spent together is what matters most, whether it's a quiet afternoon inside or a lively game outside.

Grandparents can introduce traditional games while grandkids teach modern ones. Here are a few game ideas to try together:

  • Classic board games like checkers, chess, or Scrabble
  • Card games such as Go Fish, Uno, or Rummy
  • Simple outdoor games like tag, hide-and-seek, or frisbee
  • Indoor activities like charades or a scavenger hunt
  • Puzzle-building for a relaxing and engaging challenge

Games bring excitement and friendly competition to family time.

Visit Local Attractions

Exploring new locations together creates lasting memories. A trip to a museum or local festival gives grandkids something to look forward to.

Many senior-friendly events in town offer activities that cater to all ages. Grandparents and grandkids can enjoy these outings at their own pace, stopping to take in the sights or grab a snack.

A little bit of adventure can turn an ordinary day into something special and lead to amazing fun with grandkids. Here are a few family-friendly outings worth considering:

  • Visiting a petting zoo or aquarium for hands-on fun
  • Exploring a science museum
  • Attending a seasonal festival with music and food
  • Going to a library for storytime or craft events
  • Watching a family-friendly play

Stepping outside the routine makes every visit with grandkids more exciting.

Try These Things to Do with Grandkids

Spending time with grandkids strengthens connections and creates cherished memories. Whether exploring nature, playing games, or sharing stories, these things to do with grandkids bring joy to both generations.

Whitlock Place Assisted Living in Crawfordsville, IN, provides a welcoming assisted living community with personalized care and engaging activities. Residents enjoy spacious apartments, chef-prepared meals, and social events designed to build relationships.

With 24/7 support and a cozy environment, it's a location where seniors can thrive while maintaining independence. You can get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.