The best visits usually are not the most expensive or complicated ones. Kids remember small traditions, getting your attention and doing something that feels like “our thing.”
Use this list as a menu, not a checklist. Each idea now includes an age guide, approximate time, what to gather, a simple way to do it and one Nana tip. Pick one or two that fit the day.
You’ll need: Paper, washable crayons or markers, stickers, glue sticks and a shallow tray or basket.
How to do it: Put everything in the middle of the table and give one simple prompt such as “make a card for someone” or “draw our silliest family picture.” Let the kids take it from there.
Nana tip: Keep the supplies together in one bin so this becomes a five-minute setup next time.
You’ll need: One age-appropriate game with simple rules and short rounds.
How to do it: Choose a game everyone can understand after a two-minute explanation. Play one practice round if needed, then let the grandkids keep score or choose who starts.
Nana tip: Short games are easier to stop for dinner and more likely to get replayed. See our game guide.
You’ll need: Two or three blankets, sturdy chairs, pillows and a flashlight.
How to do it: Drape blankets over chair backs, tuck the edges securely and add pillows inside. Read a book, have a snack or tell stories in the fort.
Nana tip: Use lightweight blankets and keep pathways clear so nobody trips over hidden chair legs.
You’ll need: A puzzle suited to the youngest player and a table or board that can stay undisturbed.
How to do it: Sort edge pieces first, choose one colorful area to work on and stop whenever attention fades. Leave it set up for the next visit.
Nana tip: A puzzle that takes several visits becomes a built-in reason to sit down together again.
You’ll need: A small album, photo box or 10–15 photos on your phone or tablet.
How to do it: Pick just a few photos and tell the story behind them: where you were, who was there and what happened. Ask the kids what they notice.
Nana tip: Photos of their parent as a child usually get the biggest reaction, especially funny haircuts, school pictures and vacations.
You’ll need: Five questions, paper or a phone recorder if everyone is comfortable recording.
How to do it: Let the grandkids ask about your childhood, school, favorite food, first job or funniest family memory. Switch roles and ask them a few questions too.
Nana tip: Save one answer or quote in a family journal; over time you’ll build a little oral history.
You’ll need: Cookie ingredients, mixing bowls, spoon or mixer, baking sheet and scoop.
How to do it: Give each child one repeatable job—pouring chips, scooping dough or setting the timer. Bake one tray together and let the kitchen smell become part of the memory.
Nana tip: Use our Nana’s soft chocolate chip cookies recipe so measurements and timing are already worked out.
You’ll need: Pancake batter plus sliced bananas, berries or a few chocolate chips.
How to do it: Cook the pancakes, then put toppings in small bowls and let each grandchild create a face or picture on their plate before eating.
Nana tip: Make the first batch plain and use our buttermilk pancake recipe for a reliable base.
You’ll need: A mixing bowl, spoon, measuring cups and no-bake ingredients.
How to do it: Let kids measure, stir and portion the mixture. Chill it while you clean up together or play a short game.
Nana tip: Our peanut butter oat bites work well because little hands can help roll them.
You’ll need: Index cards or a notebook, pen, stickers and the recipe you made.
How to do it: Write the recipe name, date and who helped. Younger kids can add a drawing; older kids can write one thing they would change next time.
Nana tip: Keep the cards in one box and let the grandkids choose a past favorite when they visit.
You’ll need: Sidewalk chalk and a safe driveway, patio or sidewalk.
How to do it: Draw hopscotch, a giant family mural or a simple obstacle path with arrows, circles and lines to jump over.
Nana tip: Take a photo before the rain washes it away and compare creations from different visits.
You’ll need: A short list of 8–10 things and a pencil or phone for checking them off.
How to do it: Look for simple things such as a red door, bird, yellow flower, mailbox, something round and something that makes noise.
Nana tip: Don’t make it a race with little kids; let everyone help find each item together.
You’ll need: A small pot, potting soil, watering cup and an easy herb, flower or vegetable starter.
How to do it: Let the grandchild fill the pot, plant the seed or starter, water it and make a name label. Check growth at every visit and take an occasional photo.
Nana tip: Basil or mint gives you a second activity later because you can use it in something you cook together.
You’ll need: Bubble solution, two or three wands and shallow cups or trays.
How to do it: Give everyone a wand and try simple challenges: biggest bubble, longest-lasting bubble or most bubbles in 30 seconds.
Nana tip: Set it up on grass or the driveway so spills do not matter and cleanup is basically done for you.
You’ll need: A blanket, easy lunch or snacks, drinks and napkins.
How to do it: Let the grandkids help pack the food, carry the blanket and choose the picnic spot—even if it is only ten steps from the kitchen.
Nana tip: Ordinary sandwiches feel special outside. The change of setting is the activity.
You’ll need: A phone or kid-friendly camera and a short route.
How to do it: Ask each child to photograph five things that are beautiful, funny, tiny, colorful or surprising. Look through the pictures together afterward.
Nana tip: Pick one favorite photo from each walk and create a “Grandma days” album over time.
You’ll need: One favorite picture book, chapter book or poetry collection that stays at Grandma’s.
How to do it: Read the same book with younger kids or one chapter each visit with older children. Let them choose voices or point out favorite parts.
Nana tip: Repetition is part of the magic; a book can become “our book” even if you have read it 20 times.
You’ll need: A small shoebox or photo box, stickers, markers and a label.
How to do it: Let each grandchild decorate a box for drawings, notes, ticket stubs or tiny treasures they want to leave at your house.
Nana tip: Put their name on the box and bring it out at the start of each visit; it creates instant continuity.
You’ll need: Postcards, stamps, addresses and pens or crayons.
How to do it: Write two or three sentences to a cousin, aunt, uncle or even the grandchild’s own home. Younger kids can draw the picture while you write their words.
Nana tip: Mail it together on a short walk so the activity has a satisfying finish.
You’ll need: A notebook, pen, stickers and optionally a small photo printer.
How to do it: At the end of the visit, write one sentence about what you did and one funny or memorable thing someone said. Add a doodle or sticker.
Nana tip: Keep entries short enough that you will actually maintain the tradition.
You’ll need: Their choice of game, app, hobby, song, sport or skill—and your willingness to be the beginner.
How to do it: Ask them to teach you one specific thing. Follow their instructions, ask genuine questions and let them correct you.
Nana tip: Teenagers often open up more naturally while doing something than during a direct “tell me what’s going on” conversation.
You’ll need: A meaningful family recipe, ingredients and enough time not to rush.
How to do it: Let the older grandchild handle measuring, chopping appropriate ingredients and cleanup while you explain where the recipe came from and who used to make it.
Nana tip: Send them home with a written copy or photo of the recipe so the tradition can travel with them.
You’ll need: An age-appropriate movie from your childhood or young-adult years plus a snack.
How to do it: Give a 30-second reason you chose it, watch together and talk afterward about what aged well, what seems strange now and what they liked.
Nana tip: Let them choose the next movie from their generation so the exchange goes both ways.
You’ll need: A simple destination such as a coffee shop, smoothie place, bookstore, park or neighborhood walk.
How to do it: Keep the outing small and avoid over-scheduling it. Let them choose the drink, route or section of the bookstore and allow conversation to happen naturally.
Nana tip: One-on-one attention often feels more special to teens than a bigger, more expensive outing.
You’ll need: One project with a clear goal: scan photos, build a playlist, make a recipe book or record family stories.
How to do it: Break the project into small sessions. For example, scan 20 photos per visit or add five songs to a family playlist each time.
Nana tip: Give the grandchild real ownership—let them name folders, design the cover or choose the final format.
Pick one activity you can repeat often: Friday pancakes, a puzzle table, a walk after dinner or one photo together at the end of every visit. Consistency matters more than novelty.
Give them two choices rather than asking an open-ended question. “Do you want to bake cookies or take a walk?” is easier to answer than “What do you want to do?” For more preparation ideas, see our guide to things to keep at Grandma’s house.
If you want more activity inspiration, browse our For Grandkids section or our easy recipes to make with grandkids.