10 Ways to Create Lasting Memories with Your Grandchildren

1. Read Books and Tell Stories

Reading books with your grandchildren is a great way to create lasting memories. It helps foster a love of reading in little ones and young kids to be lifelong readers. It also helps create a special bond between your grandchildren. When I visited my grandparents, my grandmother and I would sit in opposite recliners and read for hours at a time.

Another thing you can do is tell stories to your grandchildren. Tell them about what it was like growing up, the struggles and trials you went through, and who your favorite relatives were. Tell them about your favorite pets growing up and how you met their grandma or grandpa. Your grandchildren will love hearing about your life when you were their age.

2. Enjoy Places of Learning and Discovery Together

Who says fun can't be educational? Take them to the children's museum and play together. Go to the planetarium and learn about the solar system. Afterward, talk about what you learned and what your favorite planet is. Go to the aquarium and learn about different fish and other sea life. Then, talk about it on the way home.

3. Sayings, Mottos, or Words of Wisdom

Sayings, mottos, or words of wisdom are wonderful things to pass on to your grandchildren. Your grandchildren will likely remember these things after they grow up. One thing my grandmother always used to say to me, "Even though you think you have it bad, there is always someone else who has it worse." She was absolutely right. Take some time to think about the most important things you can share with your grandchildren, and make a list.

4. Dabble in Pretend Play, Arts and Crafts, and Games

Creativity is an awesome thing and a great way to spend time with your grandchildren. Engage in pretend play with them and run that restaurant or dig for buried treasure. Do arts and crafts together. Write a story together and publish a book. Sit down and play their favorite board games with them, old-school style.

You could also spend some time outside together, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, playing a game of badminton or corn hole, or having a snowball fight. Take them to the park and play with them on the outdoor equipment or take them to a playground where you can swing and slide together.

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5. Let Them Help with Chores or Daily Tasks

Kids love to help adults. I know this well from being in daycare. My kids always wanted to help clean or set out snacks. Not only will you be making memories with your grandchildren, you will also teach them how to do something.

So let them dust, hold the dustpan when you're done sweeping, and help feed your dog or cat. Let them help you make dinner or a special dessert. Teach them how to set the table and load the dishwasher. These are all things that kids need to know, and you are the perfect teacher.

6. Teach Them about God

This is the most important thing you can ever teach them about. Take them to church with you. Buy them a kid's Bible and read with them each time they visit. Or invite them to join you for your Bible study every morning via Facetime. Pray with them and for them. Volunteer for something at your church and take them with you to help. Depending on their parents' beliefs, this may be the only time they hear about God.

As mentioned above, buy them an age-appropriate Bible. Sometimes, reading the Bible as an adult can be hard, let alone as a kid. So make sure your grandchildren can read the Bible in a way that is understandable to them. There are all kinds of Bibles available for kids.

Other ways to teach them about God is to turn on kid-friendly Christian programming on television. For example, VeggieTales is a classic Christian show for little ones. Introduce your older teenage grandchildren to your favorite Christian movies. You can find all kinds of great Christian programming on the streaming platform PureFlix. Buy them books by Christian authors to read and introduce them to your favorite Christian music artists. Learning about God doesn't have to always happen in church. You can reach today's youth through all kinds of mediums and by teaching them to make good life choices.

7. Traditions

Teaching your grandchildren about family traditions is a great way to make lasting memories. When we think about family traditions, we usually think about the holidays. Things like trimming the Christmas tree, baking cookies, caroling, and spending Christmas Eve together as a family.

However, the holidays aren't the only time to have family traditions. There are all kinds of traditions you can have with your grandchildren. Going out for ice cream before the first day of school. You could go out for dinner once a week to stay connected. Take them on a weekend trip every fall. Make every Friday night movie night together, either at the theater or at home. You could talk to your kids about having dinner with your family on a certain night every week. Have a fun game competition together one weekend. Take your granddaughter shopping for her prom dress each year. The possibilities for creating traditions with your grandchildren are endless.

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8. Emphasize Quality Time Over Gifts

All grandparents love buying their grandchildren gifts. Shopping for birthdays and Christmas is always fun. But if you buy your grandchildren a lot of things other times during the year, you could do them a disservice. Kids love spending time with the people they love.

Instead of buying them things, focus on spending quality time with them. Ask them what they want to do one day and while you're together, talk to them and really listen. Ask questions and get a conversation going. It doesn't matter if you do something simple, like going to the park or going to a movie and then discussing it afterward. The point is, focus on experiences over things.

9. Sing with Them

This is another great way to make memories with your grandkids. Kids love to sing and will do it without abandon. Take a drive, turn up the tunes, roll down the windows, and belt it out.

Introduce them to your favorite music and music from other decades. Let them hear some of the music from your day and see if they like it. If you have a favorite decade of music, crank it up. Teach them how to jitterbug, disco, and do the moonwalk. This will add an extra touch of fun. It's good for kids to be exposed to all kinds of music.

Another fun option would be to take them to a musical or a show featuring their favorite cartoon character, such as Sesame Street Live or Disney Junior on Tour. These shows pack a lot of entertainment and musical fun and are a unique way to create memories with your grandkids.

10. Take Them on a Trip

Plan a trip and take them with you. This can be anything from going to the beach, Disney World, or some other kid-friendly attraction. Another option would be a vacation cross country in an RV and showing them different sites across our great country.

If an extended vacation isn't workable, research options for a day trip in your state or the next state over. It doesn't have to be a big, extravagant experience. If there is an amusement park in the next state over, check it out. Live near a big city but don't want to make the drive? Take a bus or train trip and spend the day. Is there a big water park a few towns over? Take them to have some fun in the water. Regardless of what kind of trip you take, this is a great way to bond with your grandkids and make some amazing memories.

Making memories with your grandkids is one of the best parts of life. The experiences and the look of joy on their faces are everything. You can come up with ideas for kids of any age. The possibilities are endless. Don't worry about how big or small of an experience it is. The most important thing is to connect on a deeper level and have fun. Take some time today and think about the kinds of memories you want to make with your grandchildren. Then, make a plan and make it happen.