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12 things to do with your grandparents

Small, adaptable ideas for shared time, whether you are the grandparent or the grandchild. “Short” suggests about 10–20 minutes; “longer” means leave more room, not meet a deadline.

See all twelve ↓ Or filter them on the project shelf

12 things to do with your grandparents: an illustrated pin

1
Talk · Short · Use what you have
The story behind one photograph
One picture, one willing storyteller and a few details that can stay with the image.
Bring or find: A photograph its owner is comfortable discussing; paper is optional.
1. Invite the owner to choose one picture, rather than handing over a whole stack.
2. Ask what they would like you to know about it. Follow one detail they mention.
3. If they want a note kept, write their wording and mark anything uncertain. Agree who may see it.
A way to adapt it: Use a large copy or describe the image aloud if that suits the people taking part. No need to identify every face.
2
Make · Longer · Use what you have
Draw a map of a familiar place
A rough map with personal landmarks: the corner shop, a good shortcut or a place everyone met.
Bring or find: Paper and a pen or pencil.
1. Agree on a place you both enjoy talking about. Start with one landmark.
2. Add a few routes or places and let each person explain what belongs there. Accuracy is optional.
3. Give the map a title and mark who contributed. Keep it only if everyone wants to.
A way to adapt it: One person can draw while the other describes. Stop at a few landmarks rather than trying to complete a town.
3
Play · Longer · Some materials
Teach a game with your own rules
Swap a favourite card or board game and discover the rules that only your family uses.
Bring or find: A game the teacher actually enjoys and equipment appropriate for the participants.
1. Ask someone to choose a game they would like to teach. Explain that learning is part of the fun.
2. Play a practice round slowly. Let the learner ask about rules as they arise.
3. Write down one family variation or swap roles and learn a different game another time.
A way to adapt it: Choose visible pieces, a comfortable table and a pace that suits the group. Adults should check small parts and age suitability when children join.
4
Talk · Short · Use what you have
A five-things noticing session
Look at the view together and choose five small things you might otherwise pass by.
Bring or find: A comfortable spot with a view, indoors or somewhere suitable outside.
1. Choose the place together. There is no need to travel or walk a particular distance.
2. Take turns pointing out a colour, movement, shape or other detail that catches your attention.
3. Choose a favourite observation and, if you like, give the session a small title.
A way to adapt it: Describe what you notice, use fewer than five observations or swap the view for familiar objects on a table.
5
Make · Longer · Use what you have
Write the story of a favourite dish
Capture why a dish matters without turning the visit into a cooking session.
Bring or find: Paper and a pen; an existing recipe if its owner wants to use it.
1. Ask which dish they would enjoy talking about and where it belongs in their life.
2. Write the name, the person associated with it and a short story in their own words.
3. If adding ingredients or a method, mark any missing details rather than inventing them. Agree how the card will be shared.
A way to adapt it: Make a story card only; no cooking or tasting is required. If you cook later, check food-safety guidance, ingredients and individual dietary needs separately.
6
Make · Short · Some materials
Exchange two little postcards
A short message to give now, post later or keep for the next visit.
Bring or find: Two postcards, or paper cut and folded by an adult as appropriate.
1. Each person chooses one thing from the day to draw or describe.
2. Write a few words for the other person. A dictated message counts just as much.
3. Agree whether the cards are for each other only or may be shared with someone else.
A way to adapt it: Use a full sheet, large writing or a simple spoken message. You can keep the paper unfolded.
7
Talk · Short · Use what you have
Take turns with a short reading
A paragraph, a favourite book page or something you have written yourself.
Bring or find: A reading both people want to hear, in a usable format.
1. Choose a short section rather than committing to a chapter.
2. Decide whether to take turns, have one reader or listen to a suitable recording you already have.
3. Ask what caught each person’s attention. Different reactions make the conversation interesting.
A way to adapt it: Read aloud, increase text size where possible or choose a familiar piece. There is no need to explain or memorise it.
8
Make · Short · Use what you have
A tiny garden-view sketch
Draw one plant shape or garden detail, from a seat outside or an indoor view.
Bring or find: Paper and a pencil; a suitable spot you can use comfortably.
1. Pick a single shape or detail, without needing to identify or handle the plant.
2. Draw for a few minutes, or let one person describe while the other sketches.
3. Compare what each person noticed and give the drawings a date or title if wanted.
A way to adapt it: Use a photograph, a view through the window or any familiar object. Do not taste plants or collect unidentified materials.
9
Talk · Short · Use what you have
Make a little family-phrase page
The sayings, nicknames or expressions that sound like home to the people involved.
Bring or find: Paper or a notebook, if you want to keep a page.
1. Invite one expression with a story that feels comfortable to tell.
2. Ask how it was used and whether different family members remember it differently.
3. Write the expression and a short explanation, then ask whether it is okay to keep or repeat it.
A way to adapt it: Skip phrases linked to unwelcome memories or private details. Current jokes and new traditions are welcome too.
10
Talk · Short · Use what you have
Tell the story of an everyday object
A familiar object can open a conversation about a skill, a person or a project.
Bring or find: An ordinary object its owner is happy to discuss.
1. Ask the owner to select an object, rather than assuming an heirloom is available.
2. Invite the story of how it is used or why it stayed. Ask one follow-up about their answer.
3. If wanted, make a photo-and-caption note with permission. Leave the object where it belongs.
A way to adapt it: Describe the object or use a photograph. Avoid handling fragile, sharp, valuable or otherwise unsuitable items.
11
Play · Longer · Some materials
Work on one corner of a puzzle
Choose a manageable part to work on together, with no requirement to finish the whole picture.
Bring or find: A suitable puzzle with pieces and an image the participants can use comfortably.
1. Agree on one small target: an edge, a colour area or a recognisable detail.
2. Share the search and let people choose how they take part.
3. Pause when you want to, note what you worked on and leave it ready for another session if practical.
A way to adapt it: Choose fewer or larger pieces if preferred. Check small-part and age guidance for children; an image-matching task can be an alternative.
12
Make · Short · Some materials
Make an envelope for the next visit
Collect one agreed idea for another day and a small reminder of this one.
Bring or find: An envelope or folded sheet; a pen.
1. Each person suggests one thing they might enjoy next time, without committing to a date.
2. Choose a shared idea and write it alongside one memory from today.
3. Decide who will keep the envelope and when you might open it together.
A way to adapt it: Use a spoken reminder or an ordinary note instead. A future plan is an invitation, not a promise anyone must fulfil.

One idea
is plenty.

Choose one thing and one alternative.

You do not need a schedule packed with options. Pick one idea together and keep an alternative as simple as chatting or looking at the view. When children take part, check the exact activity and materials and provide appropriate adult supervision.

Make a gentle plan for the visit →

From the Grandparent Project shop

Printables to go with it

$5.99 USD · digital download · 14 pages, A4 + US Letter

The Grandparent Visit Planner

Plan a visit with breathing room: an interests page, visit plans, 12 activity cards, a next-visit envelope, a between-visits plan and a visit log.

Get it on Payhip — $5.99 ↗

$4.49 USD · digital download · 11 pages, A4 + US Letter

Game Night Scorecards

Teach me your game, house rules, score sheets for cards, dominoes and board games, a chess game record, a family league and two awards.

Get it on Payhip — $4.49 ↗

$11.99 USD · digital download · 47 pages, A4 + US Letter

The Grandparent Project Printables Bundle

All four packs in one download: the Visit Planner, the Year You Were Born Interview Pack, Recipe Keepsake Cards and Game Night Scorecards.

Get it on Payhip — $11.99 ↗

Digital downloads delivered by Payhip. Personal and household use. No physical item is shipped. See everything in the shop →

Useful supplies

A few things for the project shelf

Use what you already have first. If you do need something, these Amazon searches are a starting point: compare the actual listings.

A jigsaw to share

Choose a subject, piece count and piece size that suit the table and the people.

View on Amazon ↗Ad · affiliate link

Playing cards

Compare card size and print; large print is an option, not a requirement.

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A sketchbook to share

For memory maps, garden-view sketches and doodles.

View on Amazon ↗Ad · affiliate link

Postcards for between visits

Blank postcards for a drawing, a few words or a dictated message.

View on Amazon ↗Ad · affiliate link

12 things to do with your grandparents

The story behind one photograph

Draw a map of a familiar place

Teach a game with your own rules

A five-things noticing session

Write the story of a favourite dish

Exchange two little postcards

Take turns with a short reading

A tiny garden-view sketch

Make a little family-phrase page

Tell the story of an everyday object

Work on one corner of a puzzle

Make an envelope for the next visit

Choose one thing and one alternative.

Printables to go with it

The Grandparent Visit Planner

Game Night Scorecards

The Grandparent Project Printables Bundle

A few things for the project shelf

A jigsaw to share

Playing cards

A sketchbook to share

Postcards for between visits

More from REALLYBYTE

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