National Grandparents Day—proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 to be observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day—is on September 10 this year. It’s a day to recognize grandparents for all that they do for our families and a time to build connections through the generations. Whether grandma and grandpa live just a few blocks away or all the way across the country, here are eight ways kids and grandparents can connect this Grandparents Day.
- Cook a family meal. Spend quality time together in the kitchen cooking up some of grandma’s favorite recipes.
- Play together. Play board games that grandma and grandpa enjoyed as a child, and have kids share their favorite games too.
- Hear about the past. Kids can interview their grandparents about their childhoods. They might be surprised by what they learn.
- Try something new. Do grandma and grandpa have a favorite hobby? Spend the day learning more about their favorite pastimes.
- Explore family history. Make a family tree together, share old photos and talk about your family’s history.
- Do something active. Get out and take a short hike or walk to the park for a family picnic.
- Share kind words. Have children write a letter about how much their grandparents mean to them. For grandparents that live out of state, share the letter via FaceTime or Skype.
- Make something special. Children can make and send personalized cards or crafts. Grandparents love receiving homemade gifts from their grandkids.
