Seniors who regularly bond and interact with their grandchildren feel happier, more alert, and more active in their golden years. This also translates to greater quality of life for seniors as they will feel less lonely and have reduced stress levels. Grandchildren also benefit from spending more time and bonding with their grandparents as they can derive lessons and learn from their grandparent’s knowledge, life lessons, and wisdom. Grandchildren also benefit from greater social skill and improved self-esteem when spending time with grandparents. Here are some bonding activities for grandparents and grandchildren.
Reading Books
Reading books provides a good opportunity to bond for both grandparents and grandchildren. Depending on the age of your grandchildren, you may choose to read simple nursery rhyme books or more complex novels and stories.
If your grandchildren are still young, there are numerous benefits to reading aloud for them, such as better language development, and early literacy. Reading also cultivates an interest in books and stories for both adults and children.
Grandparents may be in a better position to read to their grandchildren as they have more patience and time. Moreover, children also love to hear how different characters in the storybook sound in different voices. Book reading can be a fun and engaging activity and you can also ask questions to your grandchildren after the reading session to provoke critical thinking and problem-solving.
Puzzles And Games
Children love to play puzzles and games. As a grandparent, you can introduce your grandchildren to different board games such as Monopoly or Game of Life. You can also solve puzzles and play card games. The benefits of playing puzzles and games are not to be underestimated.
Apart from strengthening relationships, playing games and solving puzzles together helps seniors to reduce cognitive decline, improve their motor skills, and constantly engage their brains. Children also benefit from improved hand-eye coordination, higher-level strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Arts And Craft
Arts and crafts provide a good opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren to bond together. Children also love to get crafty and make various pieces of art. You don’t need to source for the best drawing equipment or anything fancy. Instead, you can look for everyday materials found in the house such as magazines, old newspapers, toilet rolls, or plastic bottles.
Grandparents can give their grandchildren a helping hand especially if equipment such as scissors or penknives are involved in the arts and craft. Grandparents can also supervise their grandchildren and build a piece of art together with them. Regardless of whether you are painting rainbows, making a bracelet, or simple decoration, you can enjoy yourself and have fun with your grandchildren.
Picnics
If you have ever thought about spending more time with your grandchildren outdoors, why not go for a picnic? Family picnics help to improve you and your grandchildren’s health, well-being and reduce stress levels.
Having picnics together with your grandchildren provides an opportunity to escape from the daily routine and immerse in nature. You and your grandchildren can breathe in the fresh air, enjoy beautiful sceneries and take the time to reflect and bond together.
