ActivitiesGrade SchoolKindergartnersPreschoolersToddlers6 Comments
Doing Grandma activities is so much fun when you’re visiting Grandma’s house! Grandmas are the best!
But Grandma often doesn’t have the supplies on hand to do them. Darn.
Usually we use very common supplies that are normally in most parents’ houses. But construction paper, pom poms and glitter might not be that common at Grandma’s house if little kids aren’t there very often.
I’m going to call these Grandma activities. They’re simple activities to do at Grandma’s house.
For these activities to do at Grandma’s, I’ve gone to the extreme and chosen the most basic supplies that should be at Grandma’s house. I hope so! Because these are so much fun!
I think Grandma will truly enjoy these bonding moments with the grandkids, because Grandma truly is the best.
Note: If you’re the Grandma, print this out for the holidays. If you’re Mom or Dad, print it out and pack it along for some fun with Grandma (or email it to her right now)!
Water Play “Grandma Activity”
Set out a tub of water along with some measuring cups and spoons and another empty tub. Transfer water back and forth. Add food coloring for a color mixing lesson!
Tip for Grandma: Take this outside, or set it up on a tablecloth or shower curtain.
“Grandma Activity” with Old Game Pieces
Dig out the old games and play with the pieces. Dominoes? Match up number of dots or colors to make a ‘road’. Scrabble? Sort letters and count ’em!
Tip for Grandma: Make putting them back a part of the activity too! Can they match them as they’re putting it away?
Painter’s Tape to the Rescue at Grandma’s House!
If you have painter’s tape on hand, you’re golden. Peel tape off a surface. Tape jumping. Walk the line.
Tip for Grandma: Test to see how the tape sticks and peels off the surface before taping everything in sight!
What can the Couch Cushions Become?
Let them take the cushions and pillows and enjoy a little rowdiness. Cushions and blankets can become a fort!
Or line them all up to try to walk along. Or spread them apart and jump from ‘island to island’ without falling in the lava.
Tip for Grandma: Be ready for a little bit of rowdiness! Follow this up with a quiet activity, reading time or rest time.
Grandma’s Pantry Supplied Sensory Trays
Make sensory trays. You have the stuff! Check your pantry for flour, oatmeal, dry pasta or corn meal. Spread it on a tray with some measuring cups and spoons and just watch.
Tip for Grandma: This Grandma activity staple can sure get messy, so take this outside, or set it up on a tablecloth or shower curtain.
The Perfect Grandma Activity: Play with a Cardboard Box
Save any big boxes from the holidays to go dumpster diving! Or any boxes for that matter, the creations they can make are endless!
Tip for Grandma: Provide the kids with decorations to help make their creations come to life. (Think pieces of paper, glue, scissors, markers, paint, or anything you may have.)
Stack Canned Food!
This is a favorite of mine. They’re blocks you always have on hand. Raid your pantry for all the cans of food you have! Kids can stack them up in towers just like they do blocks at home.
One of my favorite Grandma activities for sure!
Tip for Grandma: Do this on the floor. Those cans of food are heavy and if they fall from a table, they’d hurt little toes. Keep it close to the ground.
Make a Color Collage at Grandma’s
I know cardstock and construction paper might be something that Grandma doesn’t have. So make a twist on this color collage activity. Dig out Grandma’s magazines and make collages of colored items they find! Cut them out and glue them on any paper you have.
Tip for Grandma: Make sure you’ve read the magazines first, because you might not get these back!
Do I dare ask?
Which of these Grandma Activities will you do when you visit next?
Just remember, Grandma is the best.
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Susan Smith says
This has some great ideas for grandmothers such as I am. I am 77 with 11 grandkids. However, they are all grown but 3. Two live in the St. Louis area and one here close. He is 3 1/2 years old. We see him about once a week. Tomorrow he is coming to stay with us for the afternoon and evening. I have almost forgot what to do with small kiddos around. Thank you for stirring up my imagination once more. I’m sure we will have a silly and fun time. Keep up the great wor
Margo says
Great ideas! Great creativity!