Grandparents Day Activities Your Whole Family Will Love

As a grandma, I have mixed feelings about Grandparents Day. My kids are already busy enough, without adding the burden of planning Grandparents Day activities. Grandchildren will happily participate in whatever we all plan to do. But they are not going to do the planning, shopping, and scheduling to make it happen. They’re kids!

And then, there’s the timing: Grandparents Day falls the weekend after Labor Day—school has just started, and no one’s in the mood for a mini family reunion. That’s a summer activity. Honestly, I’m tempted to lie low and let the day pass quietly.

But I’m not a total Scrooge. Grandparents Day was created to encourage connection between the generations, and I do love that idea. So instead of stressing over big events, why not start a few simple traditions?

Think about Thanksgiving: we know the menu, who’s coming, and what’s likely to happen. That’s the beauty of tradition—you don’t start from scratch every year. And as grandparents, we can do most of the planning without feeling bossy or self-serving. When my kids bring my beloved grandchildren over, we all enjoy a stress-free time together—something we actually look forward to.

Below, you’ll find plenty of Grandparents Day activities, both for in-town and long-distance families, that could turn into new traditions. Maybe your new tradition will be a Sunday drive and a picnic, or a yearly time capsule. FaceTime and online games with out-of-town grandchildren. There’s something here for every family.

Grandparents Day Activities for the in-town family

1. Time Capsule.

Have all the grandkids contribute items to be opened next year.  Items include:

A picture they’ve colored

One of their socks. Next year, they can see how much they’ve grown (surely there is a single sock in one of their drawers).

A piece of string cut to their current height.

An All-About-Me survey. Here’s one you can use.

A toy they are willing to part with.

An art project.

School papers, awards, or certificates.

Let them decorate the box and write instructions on when it should be opened. Tape it up and “bury” it in the back of your closet. Next Grandparents Day, open the treasures together—and start a new capsule for the following year. It’s a simple tradition that grows richer with time.

(Just be prepared for at least one mystery object that no one remembers putting in there.)

2. Take a family picture

1. Take a Family Picture.

No need for professional photos – just something on your phone. You could even tuck the photo into the time capsule.

3. Picnic

If you love the outdoors, plan a hike and picnic, or just a short walk with snacks like granola bars. Fresh air + family = a win.

4. Grandparents Day Activities in the kitchen

A secondary reason for Grandparents Day is for grandparents to have the opportunity to pass down history and wisdom to the next generation. While you cook, share stories about “the old days,” like making meals without a microwave.

I told my grandson about the dark ages before yogurt was a thing, but I’m not sure he believed me.

If you have treasured family recipes, make one together. Or try a simple from-scratch dish like macaroni and cheese or fresh bread. As the grandkids get older, this tradition can evolve into full family dinners.

Speaking of treasured recipes, I still have my Simply Delicious Jell-o recipes from the 1990’s. I believe we will be making parfaits this year!

5. Interviewing the grandparents

Here’s a free list of questions to get conversations flowing: 25 Questions for Kids to Ask Grandparents. You might be surprised by what comes up!

6. Play games/ work a puzzle/ play cards

My favorite game? Sorry!

7. Make the day about giving.

Choose something close to your heart and share it with your grandkids. Gather items for a food bank or pet shelter, invite a guest to join your celebration, or pool some money and let the grandkids decide where to donate it.

8. Go to church as a family

Follow it with a relaxed family lunch for extra connection time.

9. Bring back the Sunday dinner

When the kids are old enough, set the table with your good dishes, light some candles, and teach them a proper place setting. Small touches make it feel special.

10. Video games

Have your grandchildren teach you how to play a video game. They will get laughs out of it, and you’re building a memory.

11. Would You Rather?  Game

See #4 below for a link to fun question cards.

12. Photo Albums

Pull out those wedding albums and baby books. Bonus if you have packets of pictures with the negatives still in them.

Fun Fact:  Grandparents Day began Aug 3, 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed it into law. The reason this holiday is in the fall is that grandparents are in the “autumn” of their lives.

Grandparents Day Activities for the out-of-town family

1. Contribute to the Time Capsule (see #1 above).

Have mom or dad send items for the box ahead of time so they can be part of the fun even from miles away.

2. Facetime/ Google Meet/WhatsApp

If you’re a long-distance grandparent, you probably do this anyway. On Grandparents Day, make it extra special. Include your grandkids in opening (or creating) the time capsule or do a fun interview together (see next).

3. Grandparents interview.

Here is another set of engaging interview questions for the grandkids to ask. Also see #5 above for conversation starters.

4. Would You Rather?  Game

This classic game works perfectly over video call. Here are 20 question cards for $2—a small investment for big laughs. Or try this list of 225 free questions you can print and keep handy.
Example: Would you rather live in an amusement park or a zoo? (I vote zoo.)

5. Teleparty

Want to be the coolest grandparent on the internet? Try Teleparty—an app that lets you watch movies together online through Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. You can even chat while the movie plays, adding commentary or inside jokes. It’s also a great way to help cousins bond across the miles.

Fun Fact: Other countries celebrate Grandparents Day, too. Canada’s holiday is the same as the USA (second Sunday in September). Mexico celebrates on August 28, and Singapore does theirs on the last Sunday of November.

Grandparents Day Activities for Young Children

1. Make Cards

Anything with little fingerprints will melt my heart. Here are some great ideas. Be sure to read this post clear to the end because there are some adorable ideas on making sheep, flowers, even trains and trucks.

2. A Play-Doh sculpture

3. All About Grandparents sheets.

Here is a free sheet with prompts for children to answer about their grandma. Someone may have to do the writing, of course. And this one is cute, too.

Did we forget about grandpa? No, we did not. Here are some easy prompts for grandpa questions. And here is another set of questions. You will have to scroll clear to the bottom of that post to find the grandpa section.

4. Crowns

Since it’s your special day, maybe everyone should wear a crown. Here is a nice pattern. Let the kids color one for themselves and make you one, too. They can also decorate with stickers or sequins. It’s up to you if you let them have glitter.

Traditions have to start somewhere—so why not this year? Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a marathon game of Sorry!, or just hanging out in your kitchen making questionable Jell-O recipes, the important part is spending time together. Who knows? In a few years, your grandkids might be telling their friends, “We always do this for Grandparents Day!” And you’ll smile, knowing you started it.

Would you ask permission before serving your grandchildren Jell-o and Cool Whip? Let me know in the Comments section.

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