Grandma's Briefs

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40 Things to do when visiting your grandchild's house

Jim and I chatted with our grandsons via FaceTime the other night, and one thing I mentioned to Bubby and Mac was that they should come up with some ideas for fun things to do when PawDad and I visit them next month.

As I don’t want to leave the boys fully in charge of the agenda for our visit, I set out to make a list of options myself. I first considered perusing Pinterest for ideas, then I thought of a more relevant resource: the Grilled Grandmas.

One of the questions I ask of Grilled Grandmas is “What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house?” Below are some of their answers — including more than a few I plan to do with my grandsons. Some you may want to try, too… or maybe already do.

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“See their rooms! They always have little treasures to share or new toys and/or clothes to show off! It’s awesome to see their interests and personalities reflected in their bedrooms....no matter what age!” ~Joan

“Make crafty things and bake.” ~Verna

“I love building Lego creations with the two older ones, and Play-Doh is fun with the younger one.” ~Melinda

“Liam likes to make tents.” ~Suzanne

“I love to tuck them into bed. We have our own [made up] song we sing.” ~Anita

“At their house, they sometimes talk me into trying some of their computer games and then laugh at me for my inability to comprehend how they work.” ~Olga

“Believe it or not, when we go to visit the families I find I also enjoy spending time with my own children as well as the grandchildren.” ~Edna

“Teaching them bad habits to torment their mothers is always fun.” ~Jeanne

“We'll play football, basketball, baseball, swing, go to the park. We also like to play TAG which is so much fun with them. The laughter is priceless.” ~Maryann

“At their homes, we have tea parties, watch funny movies, or sing karaoke.” ~Linda

“I enjoy meeting the friends of the older grandchildren.” ~Susan

“We play outside and discover things in nature, like seeing our reflection in a puddle or taking a walk and smelling the roses. We also love to hula hoop, jump rope and swing on their swings.” ~Donne

“We have tea parties at Barnes and Noble!” ~Marilyn

“I love letting their parents get much needed rest in the morning, and having them all pile into bed with me for extended wake-up time cuddles…” ~Ronda Kay

“I adore watching them pursue their interests such as dance classes, gymnastics, and tennis lessons.” ~Laurie

“My grandson and I have to go for sushi anytime I go and see him.” ~Janie

“I help with school projects and planning upcoming events.” ~Joyce

“THEIR favorite thing when I visit is the Treasure Hunts. Before making the trip, I save little surprises: like a package of Gummy Worms, new book or Slinky, yo-yo, some little toys in a basket and pack those in my suitcase. When I get there I make clues — and hide them around the house.” ~Cheri

“...Walk to a park with a stream and look for frogs and lizards... Depending on the season, we walk to a nearby nursery and buy flowers to plant.... [and we] play store and beauty salon and read books.” ~Kayann

“The best thing is to find a time and place to just chat, time with them equals value and listening to them equates putting value on them as a person.” ~Nancy

“Walk around their neighborhood.” ~Carol

“My favorite is playing that I am a student at school and Hannah is the teacher.” ~Nita

“We play hide and seek, which they love.” ~Carmen

“I always take freshly baked cookies so we can have a little snack.” ~Vee

“Take walks in the mountains looking for signs of wildlife.” ~Linda

“The oldest ones and I have always had a 'date.' That's when I take one grandchild at a time and let them decide what they want to do.” ~Gabriele

“I try to recall things I enjoyed as a child so that they might have new things to experience.” ~Janie

“Sometimes, we take flashlights into the basement and play in a little, pink tent. We imagine we are camping and making s'mores. There is nothing like imaginative play.” ~Kay

“I love to cook for my children and grandchildren when we go to their house. I call ahead and "take orders" for what they want me to make for them when I arrive.” ~Karen

“It is a special thrill for me to play catch with my grandson.” ~Linda

“We read books, play, talk and tell stories. The time is filled with snuggly hugs and my very special 'noisy' Grandma kisses.” ~Nezzy

“We have a great time playing 'ball tag' in their back yard (throwing soft plastic balls at each other to ‘tag’ a person. It’s easier than the traditional Tag — nice for them AND me).” ~Kaye

“Color and put puzzles together.” ~Liz

“I love to see all of their school projects, graded papers, report cards.” ~Carol

“We love to pick wildflowers for a bouquet on the mantle.” ~Robin

“We play trucks together!” ~Diane

“I am rarely the doting grandma who makes cookies. We make healthy smoothies instead.” ~Karen

“Getting to know their world… meeting their teacher, going to the playground, attending their concerts and games, and getting to know their friends.” ~Sue

“Walk down to the park by the river and feed the ducks, squirrels, etc and take photos of the kids and their friends.” ~Mary

“I mostly just hold them and kiss them as much as I can.” ~Nina

Today's question:

What would you add to the list?