Holidays are filled with laughter, sticky little fingers and the delightful chaos only grandchildren can bring. But come January, it’s a little too quiet.
That post-holiday letdown? It’s totally normal. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few ideas to keep your grandparent-grandchild connection strong all year long:
Plan Your Next Connection: Whether it’s a spring visit or a virtual storytime, having something to look forward to keeps everyone smiling. Kids love countdowns, so make it a shared experience! Encourage kids to print a calendar and cross off the days until your next visit. For crafty kids, send them scraps of construction paper along with instructions for creating their own DIY paper countdown chain.
Create a Shared Hobby: Start a little project to keep the connection alive. Maybe you send postcards back and forth or take turns recommending books or crafts to each other. (Kids are surprisingly great pen pals—especially if stickers are involved!) For older elementary kids and above, crochet is a super-fun skill to learn with video-instruction based crochet kits popping up everywhere right now. Get in on the fun together and set up virtual “dates” to practice your new skill together and compare tips and struggles. Then bring your creations to show each other at your next in person meet-up.
Set Up a Weekly Connection: Choose a special day to video chat, read a story or play a game online. Having a set time keeps you close and gives them something fun to look forward to each week. Pro tip: take time to consider what your grandchild is into. Are they an older child who loves to read chapter books? Suggest that you each pick a book to read and meet weekly for a mini book club. Are they a child that loves collecting coins or Pokémon cards? Read up on their area of interest and consider collecting a few of your own to build a common interest.
Send a Hug in the Mail: Surprise them with a care package—think small crafts, a handwritten letter or their favorite snacks. Include something crafty like a DIY bracelet kit or puzzle you can work on “together” over your weekly video chat. In today’s digital age you will be surprised at how much even a card or written note sent via snail mail can really stand out as something special!
Share Personal Stories: Kids absolutely love learning about what their grandparents and parents were like at their age. Dig up old photos and send them a copy with a handwritten story about a family memory or a story from your childhood. For a fun idea throughout the year, send them an empty photo album and over the year, mail them photos, postcards, short stories and mementos that they can compile in the album. Sharing personal stories with the children in our lives – of both momentous occasions and ordinary days – can create lasting benefits for the entire family.
Tap Into Nature: Help pull them out of the winter doldrums with thoughts of spring plants and flowers. Send them information on plants or flowers that grow well in their area. Spend time doing research together and discussing the best options for planting based on climate and time of year. Then mail them a care package for everything they need to get started. As they plant their seeds or plant, do regular check-ins throughout the year where they can show you how much their flower or plant has grown and changed.
The winter holidays may be over, but your relationship doesn’t have to hit pause. With a little creativity, you can keep the warmth and joy alive all year long.