Having your grandchildren visit you in your independent living community can be a wonderful treat. Children remind you to stay young at heart, and interacting with them can brighten a dreary day. Maintaining close bonds with your loved ones can also help prevent social isolation and reduces your risk of depression and anxiety.
At first glance, it might be difficult to keep your grandchildren occupied and engaged during their visit to your independent living community. However, there are plenty of activities you can do with your grandchildren to bond with them and forge good memories together. Read on to learn more about the five activities that you can do with your grandchildren in your Bixby, OK independent living community.
Play Board Games and Card Games
Playing simple and age-appropriate board games and card games can allow you to bond with your grandchildren easily. Playing such games with your grandchildren allows you to enjoy each other’s company while also having fun. You can keep some games on hand, or ask them to bring their favorites along when they visit you. A card and game room is also a common senior living amenity that can provide you and your grandchildren with the games that you want to play.
Read a Book
You choose books that you loved yourself as a child or search for books at a library to read to your grandchildren. Reading to them can improve your grandchildren’s vocabulary and imagination, while also keeping them engaged. You can also discuss the events and characters in books with your grandchildren to impart important wisdom and knowledge to them. Reading one or two chapters of a book each week to your grandchildren. If you end on a cliffhanger, they’ll be even more excited for their next visit to hear more of the story.
Join Activities and Events
Retirement communities often have senior-friendly activities and events organized for their residents. Such events can include local outings and educational classes. If you find a certain activity or event that you think your grandchildren might enjoy, you can attend the event along with them.
Do Arts and Crafts
Doing arts and crafts with your grandchildren can help improve their creativity and motor skills. One good example is coloring, as it is simple but can have a calming effect on people of all ages. Simple crafts such as making toys or gifts can also help you leave a memento with each other. You can use objects such as paper plates, plastic bags, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, and more to recreate simple arts and crafts projects that you find online. No matter what you end up making for each other, you can display the art that your grandchildren made in your room or common areas.
Watch a Movie
Prepare some snacks, find a comfortable spot, and watch some of your favorite shows or movies with your grandchildren. You can also ask your grandchildren to bring their favorites along when they visit so that you can switch between their movies and yours. Sharing the things you enjoy and discussing the movies you watched together can help you get to know one another better.
Cherish your time with your grandchildren! Taking the time to build a close bond with them can bring much joy into your and your grandchildren’s lives.
