14 Activities for Grandparents Day: Celebrate with Love

When is Grandparents Day?

Each September, grandchildren have a chance to shower their grandma and grandpa with extra attention. Since 1978, National Grandparents Day has been celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, Grandparents Day is celebrated on September 8, 2024. 

While this special day is not a Federal holiday, it’s a great excuse for grandkids to have a fun day with their grandparents or an older person in their life. 

We have rounded up a list of 14 activities for Grandparents Day to help you plan a beautiful way for generations to bond with each other and create lasting memories. 

14 Grandparents Day Activity Ideas

Grandparents Day is a chance to slow down, honor the older generations, bond with and show love for grandparents. 

Depending on your kids’ interests and their Grandma’s or Grandpa’s interests, there are so many fun ideas that can be planned for grandchildren and grandparents to share together. 

Here we have rounded up 14 Grandparents Day Activities ideas to enjoy. 

1. Share a Meal Together

Mealtime is an opportunity for generations to come together, share family stories, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. 

• Host a Family Brunch or Dinner

Inviting family over for a special meal creates an intimate setting where everyone can enjoy conversation together. 

Restaurants can be loud, crowded and hard to navigate which can be challenging for older relatives living with mobility challenges and reduced hearing and sight. 

You can cook your grandma’s famous family recipes or show her some of your new twists on her mealtime classics. 

• Bake Grandparents’ Favorite Desserts

If hosting a meal isn’t an option, you can bring something special to your grandparents or help your younger children do the same for their grandparents. 

Baking is always a fun activity. Find out what Grandpa’s favorite desserts are and try to recreate them at home. Perhaps there is a special family recipe or cookie list that has been passed down between generations. When the kids bring their homemade desserts over, they will be able to enjoy quality time with their granddad and have a chance for some storytelling, too. 

2. Memory Lane

Reminiscing with older relatives is cherished family time where loved ones can bond and share their histories with each other. From scrapbooking to looking through photos and memorabilia, there are so many great ideas for Grandparents Day activities. 

• Create a Family Scrapbook

Scrapbooking is a fun way to have kids create a special gift for their grandparents. Take time to go through family photo boxes and small souvenirs that have been collected over the years and create a special Grandparents Day craft. 

Grandchildren can choose their favorite pictures to cut out and arrange on the pages with thoughtful messages and memories written beside them. They can also create a Grandparents Day card to include in the book. 

• Watch Old Family Videos or Look Through Photo Albums

Take advantage of long-loved Grandparents Day activities like watching old family videos or looking through family photo albums. 

The kids will love hearing about their family history and how their beloved grandparents and parents once lived. These activities often open the way for shared storytelling between the generations, creating long-lasting memories. 

3. Outdoor Adventures

Looking for fun things to do with grandparents? Spending time outdoors is a great way to build lasting memories and enhance longevity.

• Go for a Nature Walk or Hike

Grandparents Day is in September, so the weather will be warm enough to enjoy a nature walk. Grandchildren and grandparents can head out for a quick jaunt or a longer hike, depending on energy and mobility level. 

Help grandparents stay comfortable by dressing properly in senior clothing designed for easy dressing and comfort. 

• Visit a Local Park or Garden

With temperatures still mild, heading to a local park or garden is a great way to enjoy fresh air and enjoy the vibrant colors of changing Fall leaves. A rest on a park bench may offer up a bonus storytelling session, too! 

4. Game Day Fun

Classic games can become favorite Grandparents Day activities for the whole family to enjoy.

• Play Board Games or Card Games

Your kids can find out their beloved grandparents’ favorite card game or board game and prepare for a full day of festivities when they spend the day together. 

Whether it’s a traditional favorite like Monopoly or a classic card game like bridge, grandchildren will be delighted to play and learn from their older relatives.

• Organize a Family Trivia Quiz

A fun spin on an old classic, prepare a family trivia quiz that will offer opportunities to share family history and learn about grandparents’ favorite things. Help your kids plan for the challenge by reviewing the family tree or letting their Grandpa and Grandma share the information with them. 

5. Arts and Crafts

Crafting is a great way to bond and share creative ideas. Choose crafting activities that are within the skill set of both the older generation and younger one, too.

• Do a Craft Project Together

There are so many fun craft activity ideas for both grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together. Help your child plan a project they can do with their grandmother and grandfather that suits all ages and ability levels. Together these generational pairs can create picture frames with simple craft activity supplies like stickers and markers for the little ones. Older kids may enjoy creating t-shirts or magnets with their grandparents. Each contributor will end up with a special commemorative Grandparents Day gift, too! 

• Paint or Draw Family Portraits

Drawing portraits of each other or creating an entire family portrait together is another engaging Grandparents Day event activity that may reveal more family history and family stories that the grandchildren haven’t heard before. 

6. Story Time

Story time is loved by people of all ages. Plan a special story time session where both grandchildren and grandparents can read or share stories aloud.

• Share Stories from Their Childhood

Sharing life experiences in story form is a beautiful way for grandchildren to get to know their grandparents. Your kids will marvel at how different life was! And the older relatives will get a kick out of hearing their grandchildren share their own stories.

• Read Books Aloud to Each Other

Storytime isn’t complete without a good book. Grandma and granddaughter can take turns reading books to each other. If the grandchildren are not yet reading age, they can point out pictures to Grandpa and create their own oral storytelling experience. 

7. Musical Moments

Listening to music has so many benefits, it’s a great activity to share together on this special day. 

• Listen to Their Favorite Music

Your child can prepare their favorite music to share with their grandparent. And then their grandpa can show them his music collection. Who knows, each generation may end the day with a new favorite album!

• Have a Sing-Along or Karaoke Session

Karaoke is a fun activity that will get any family member up and moving. Grandparents and grandchildren can sing together or take turns singing to their favorite music. It will get everyone up and moving, which is great for overall health. 

8. Tech Time

Tech has changed quite a bit since grandparents were young! Use Grandparents Day to help the older generation get up-to-speed with tech. 

• Teach Grandparents How to Use Social Media

If the grandparents are computer savvy, their grandkids can show them how to use social media so they can connect with friends and relatives, and of course stay on top of the latest TikTok trends. This has long-lasting social benefits, too. 

• Create a Digital Family Photo Album

Creating a digital family photo album is another great activity to enjoy on Grandparents Day. Together, family members can look through photos and arrange them in a creative way. At the end of the day, each person will have the perfect gift they can have to look at and commemorate the special day. 

9. Gardening Together

Gardening is a low-impact physical activity for older adults that can enhance longevity and increase independence for older people. It’s also a great activity for Grandparents Day that all generations can enjoy.

• Plant Flowers or Vegetables in the Garden

Even though Grandparents Day falls in September, there is still time to have fun in the garden! Grandparents and their grandchildren can enjoy the late summer weather and plant cool weather crops like kale and bush beans to enjoy later in the season. Spruce up the garden beds with some Fall flowers, too. 

• Create a Small Herb Garden Indoors

If outdoor access is limited or to get the most benefits of grow-your-own crops, Grandpa and granddaughter can plant a small herb garden to keep indoors. Grandparents will have fresh, nourishing herbs to enjoy for months to come. Grandchildren can plant their own herb garden to bring home, too. Each person will have a memorable souvenir gift from this special day. 

10. Movie Marathon

A quiet afternoon curled on the couch enjoying movies together is a cozy way to enjoy quality time on Grandparents day. 

• Watch Classic Movies or Their Favorite Films

Enjoying favorite movies together can create a memorable day for both grandparents and grandchildren. They can laugh and cry together, and bond over their favorite parts for years to come. 

• Set Up an Outdoor Movie Night

A fun twist on a classic movie night is to take it outdoors! If the weather is nice, grandparents and grandchildren can head outside with blankets and cushions to enjoy their favorite films under the stars. 

11. Cooking Class

This special day is perfect for sharing family recipes and learning new ones, too. 

• Cook a New Recipe Together

Maybe there is a recipe you have been meaning to try out or perhaps your grandchild has something they’ve been wanting to try. Set aside some special time on Grandparents Day to cook a new recipe together. A bonus activity is getting to enjoy the meal together afterward, too. 

• Share and Document Family Recipes

Family recipes become traditions as they are passed down from generation to generation. Together, grandparents and grandchildren can create a family recipe book with all family favorites recorded in the book. This will also leave a beautiful gift for the grandparents, too. 

12. Virtual Visits

Virtual dates are an accessible way for all relatives to enjoy company, whether they live near or far. 

• Set Up a Video Call with Distant Relatives

Make your Grandparents Day event special, help grandparents feel extra loved by setting up video calls with relatives who live out of town or who are not able to make a visit that day. Grandchildren can also plan a virtual visit for special guests with people their grandparent hasn’t seen in a long time. 

• Join an Online Class or Workshop Together

You’re never too old or too young to learn something new. Grandparents and grandchildren can plan to join an online class or even do an online workshop together. It will be a memorable and informative experience for all. 

13. Fitness Fun

Being active is important for overall health and wellness — and it’s a fun activity for Grandparents Day.  

• Do Gentle Exercises or Yoga

Low-impact exercises are mostly safe for an older adult (consult a physician before beginning any new exercise routine) to enjoy. Exercises such as yoga and Pilates are accessible for all ages and can be modified for physical needs. 

• Go for a Bike Ride

If grandparents are still riding bikes, get the grandkids to head out for an adventure and go for a bike ride with their grandparents! It will be an unforgettable day for everyone. 

14. Volunteer Together

Another activity to make the special day even more impactful is for grandparents and grandchildren to volunteer together. 

• Participate in a Community Service Project

Share your love with your community! Find a project in the grandparent’s area and join forces with other community members. This will create lasting memories and also leave everyone filled with pride. 

• Visit a Nursing Home or Charity Event

Grandparents and grandchildren can plan to visit nursing homes to spread cheer to residents who may not have visitors. Bringing them greeting cards can be a bonus! 

A neighborhood charity event on Grandparents Day is another great activity for all to enjoy together. 

Make Your Grandparents’ Life Easier and Fun

Whether you’re planning an indoor or outdoor activity, caring for grandparents becomes easier with adaptive clothing from Silverts, ensuring that your grandma or grandpa can enjoy the day pain-free.

This universal senior clothing is designed to make dressing easier by reducing discomfort and extending independence. Styles such as magnetic shirts, elastic waist pants and non-slip socks for the elderly are great ways to keep grandparents comfortable and safe.

Let your grandparents spend more time with grandchildren and less time struggling to get dressed. 

Conclusion: Celebrate and Cherish Grandparents

Celebrating Grandparents Day is a special way to strengthen family relationships. With advanced planning, you can plan a memorable day filled with specially tailored activities for Grandparents Day. 

Remember to keep in mind the ages of all participants, as well as skill and mobility level. This way everyone can have a special day. 

Grandparents hold a special place in their grandchildren’s hearts. They offer so much love, rich history and support. Show grandparents how much they are appreciated by planning a fun day of activities for Grandparents Day.