Go to the ZOO

Tip # 15 Take your grandchildren to the zoo. We went to the zoo today, and it was great. The kids get to see animals that they wouldn't normally get to see, and it is a great learning opportunity for them. One word of warning go before it gets to hot, and be ready to walk a lot. Also, go prepared, bring drinks,and snacks, a change of clothes and don't forget your camera. If the kids are young bring a stroller. The zoo, a great place to take the grandchildren! Go and have Fun!!!

Grow a Garden

Tip # 14 Spring is in the air! Plant something with your grandchildren. Grow flowers or vegetables or both now that spring is here. Nothing feels better than planting something in the ground and watching it grow. If you have a brown thumb try growing radishes, they are practically idiot prove. Radishes sprout in a few days and will grow practically anywhere. Make sure that once you plant the garden together that you care for the garden together. Let the grand kids help water and teach them to pull weeds. It teaches them take responsibility for something living.

Celebrate Every Holiday

Tip# 13 Celebrate every holiday and occasion you can with your grandchildren. Today was St. Patrick's Day. So we dressed in green and wore green jewelry, drank green juice and ate a green cupcake.  Some years we eat green eggs and ham, and dance a jig. Children tend to mark the passing of a year by watching for holidays, so celebrate everyone of them, its fun!

Watch Classic Movies

Tip # 12 Watch classic movies with your grandchildren. Kids need to watch Mary Poppins, Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang and  and The African Queen and other classics such as these. It is part of American culture and its fun to tell them about how much you enjoyed watching them when you were younger. I am always surprised by how many people have never  seen Gone with the Wind, but when I was younger everyone had seen it. National Velvet and Gone with the Wind were the first 2 movies I ever saw in a real movie theater. I was probably 12 years old and I was absolutely spell bound by both of them. I don't know if kids get spell bound by any movies made these days, if not then that is ashamed. Hopefully, with your help they will see the beauty and the art of these old classic movies.

Playing in a Box

Tip # 11 Give the grandchildren a large empty box to play in. When you are stuck indoors due to bad weather then give them a big box to play in. Kids don't get to have simple fun any more. They can use crayons and markers to decorate the box and if they want holes then you can cut them out for them. My grandchildren have played in a large box from our new dish washer for the past three days.Good clean simple fun!

Little Helpers

Tip # 10 Let your grandchildren help you. Let them hammer a few nails and screw in a screw or two when you build something. Yes, it will take longer to get the job done, but the nice thing about being older is that we often don't feel the need to rush through things. When I was little my grandmother would sit me on the kitchen counter so I could dry the dishes we used at dinner.  My granddaughter loves to run the Swifter sweeper over the wood floors. Both grandchildren love to help me water my plants and sorting and matching socks when we fold laundry is just like a game to them. When they help you they are learning how to do things they will eventually need to know and you are teaching them independence plus the importance of lending a hand when needed.

Play Good Old Fashion Games

Tip # 9 Teach your grandchildren to play board games and card games. It will seem low tech to them but, they will quickly discover how much fun something so simple can be. I can't tell you how many nine year old children I have taught to play checkers, and Scrable at school because no one had ever taught them to play before. They enjoy the friendly competition with each other and it helps them develop better social skills. So teach them to play board games and card games, if nothing else they will appreciate what you taught them when they lose power at their house and need something to do.