Once we reach our senior years and begin to age through the twilight period of our lives, one of the things that is almost universally understood to be a positive activity that enriches our lives is forming meaningful connections with any grandchildren we might have. By spending quality time with your grandchildren, not only will you build memories with them that will last their lifetimes, research has shown that children and teens who have close and healthy relationships with the seniors in their lives will themselves grow up to have healthy attitudes towards the aging process. And of course, in passing on our knowledge and experiences to the next generations, we can find a way to truly live forever by being remembered warmly after our time.
The difficulty is that finding ways to bond with our grandchildren and keep them engaged can be challenging, especially as they get older and develop more of their own personalities and get caught up in whatever the current trends are. And of course if your grandchildren are geographically distant to you it’s even more difficult, as you don’t have the advantage of being involved in their daily lives, or even just have the ability to casually drop in with little foreplanning. But Summer is the perfect season to try and bond with the younger generation, as the warm weather, long days, and school vacations will make it perfect to plan some activities together.
Everyone benefits from breathing fresh air and spending some time in nature. If you have some visiting grandkids, try taking them fishing, at a local lake or stream, or maybe take them on a nature hike over some nearby trails, or even something as simple as a picnic in the park. For a longer, more adventurous journey, try taking a road trip to the nearest national or state park. Parks usually offer families many opportunities to have many different types of experiences, from campgrounds with parking and showers and numerous short trails, to deeper, more remote areas offering a more rustic experience. If travel is challenging, then look into possible outdoor activities in or around your community. There may be parks in your city with suitable walking or bicycle trails.
Kids of all ages often enjoy engaging in creative arts, and unlocking their imaginations. Whether you spend some time painting pictures or building models, or something more elaborate like writing and putting on a family play, the opportunities are endless. Searching online for DIY instructions can teach you and your grandkids a range of options from making puppets, to tie-dyeing clothing.
Many of the social media platforms kids love like TikTok and YouTube often have popular videos of amateur and home cooks alike creating elaborate meals. Talking to your grandkids about what foods they love, and then the two of you working together to recreate it in the kitchen can be a rewarding act. Not only will you get to pass on your culinary skills and knowledge, your grandkids will develop a true appreciation and understanding of the work that goes into cooking.