Busy, not bored: Fun ways to keep grandchildren busy

We all know that grandparents in theory love having their grandchildren over for the day but let’s face it – children these days can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to keep entertained. Thankfully, there are plenty of things grandparents can do to keep boredom at bay.

Here is a look at how to set some house rules as a precursor to your activities, plus an outdoor activity that everyone will enjoy, something to quieten them down, and tips on sharing your culinary skills.

Grandparents – you are in charge!

When your grandchildren are visiting you want them to enjoy the experience and make the most of that special bond that often exists between children and their grandparents, but you also want them to listen to you and stay safe.

A clash of the generations can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t lay down some sensible and fair house rules as to how you expect them to behave in your house. It doesn’t mean they can’t have lots of fun, but you don’t want them running riot or having an accident.

Young children often have short bursts of energy so if they look like they want to start jumping all over your furniture, encourage them outside for about 20 minutes so that they can expend some of that energy and calm down before they come back inside.

You might want to kid-proof your home a bit for the visit so that you aren’t so stressed out by their exuberance and as long as you are firm but fair and they know you are in charge, you should be able to have a great day with them.

Now for some fun

Most children behave better when they know the boundaries, so once you have got that out of the way it is time to have some fun with them.

A good suggestion to start with would be to go on a nature walk with them, either in your local park or even your garden can be a treasure trove of things to discover for the younger ones.

Bug hunting, talking about the different plants and just appreciating nature can be a lot of fun and it is an activity that ticks all the boxes because you all get some fresh air and exercise at the same time.

Something to quieten them down

Colouring and drawing have always been a popular activity for generation’s and most kids love the chance to get creative in this way.

Once they get started on a project it can keep them amused for hours and you can spend some time helping them while just enjoying their company.

You can also download a colouring book app for your smartphone or tablet, so don’t worry if you don’t have any crayons or pencils to hand. You can learn more about this option and have it downloaded ready for their visit.

Share some favorite recipes

Cooking and baking are activities to be enjoyed by all ages and it can be a lot of fun passing on your favorite recipes and cooking skills to your grandchildren.

There are loads of simple and suitable cooking and baking projects that the children can help with, and you can even enjoy eating your creations with a well-earned beverage when it comes out of the oven.

Follow some of these suggestions and you might be a bit worn out by the time they are ready to go home, but at least your grandkids will have been busy, not bored.

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