7 Fun Things to Do With Grandkids During Summer

It’s a wonderful time to be alive – grandparents are spending more time than ever with their grandchildren. According to a recent study, 40% of grandparents help out with childcare, and of those, 89% do it at least once a week. This is wonderful for both sides of the ‘grand’, helping keep older folk younger, and assisting with the development of the kids.

Whether you’re helping with childcare, going on holiday as a family, or the grandkids are coming to stay- you may want a bit of inspiration to help make your time together fun and fulfilling.

It’s important to remember that they love seeing you. Regardless of the activity chosen, what’s important is doing things together! Here are some of our Freebird Club members’ top picks for 7 fun things to do with grandkids during summer.

1. Insect / Bug Hunting

Bug hunting is on the top of our members’ lists for fun things to do with grandkids. Kids love creepy-crawlies. Anything slightly funny, small, and potentially disgusting has a wonderful ability to entertain. Grab an empty margarine tub or similar and then explore the garden or your local park and see what wiggly insects you can find. Putting them in the tub will allow the children a closer look before putting them back in their natural habitat.

For a more involved, longer-term activity, if you have the space you could build a bug hotel or ant-farm.

2. Gardening

Gardening is a great activity to do with grandkids. It allows you to share your passion for plants and the chance to plant and nurture things that grow with young, impressionable minds? Why not do a little bit of show and tell by explaining what each flower or plant is and showing how to care for it? 

For a more practical involvement you could set aside a pot and help them grow their own plant from seed – giving them something else to look forward to when they see you!

You can extend this learning to trips out, too. Take the time to look at trees and other plants while you’re out walking. You might even learn something new yourself as the inquisitive mind gets to work!

3. Draw on the sidewalk with chalk

You will likely have seen those incredibly realistic chalk drawings by Julian Beever at some point. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you should try those! But a bit of pavement, or patio art can go down a treat.

With your young budding artists you could draw a horse or a train on the ground before taking some amusing photos of your creation with you, and them, in situ! Then you have something more to add to a memory collection. Just make sure you buy chalk that can be easily washed away afterwards!

4. Make a time capsule

Speaking of memory collections, why not start a time capsule? Get an old shoebox, or tin, and put photographs, toys, even write letters to your future selves. For younger ones, you could prepare some questions (e.g.“What do you want to be when you grow up?”) and trace their hands or feet.

Bury it in the garden (or hide it in a cupboard) and then open it a year or two later.

5. Word Games

Wordplay is a fun activity whatever your age, and it will help keep you sharp and develop their memory or vocabulary.

Maybe start a game of “I went to market’, or introduce them to crosswords. For a bit more of an activity, you could even create your own together – or have some ready for when they arrive!

6. Go on a train ride

We all love getting on trains. They can transport you to a different landscape entirely, as you watch the country whizz by at speed. Even the little child-friendly ones at amusement parks, or

Whether it’s a proper adult sized one that takes you to the seaside, or off to another part of the country – or a funfair local sized one – everyone can get on board with a locomotive.

7. Camp

If the weather is especially good – you could camp with them. Either in the garden, or at a proper camping site (depending on age). Set up the tent and get their sleeping bags and teddies – perhaps cook dinner outside.

Being outdoors is enjoyable and great for our health – and the additional novelty of being outside at bedtime, with the torch and maybe even a spooky story will bring unforgettable memories.

Have you tried all of these fun things to do with your grandkids? If not, what are you personal favorite activities to do with your grandchildren during summer holidays?