Grandparents Day activities for kids 2025

Grandparents Day, celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in the United States, is a special opportunity for families to honor the wisdom, love, and legacy of older generations. In 2025, Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, September 7th, making it a perfect time for children to connect with their grandparents in heartfelt and memorable ways. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a school event, or simply looking for ideas to help your kids celebrate their grandparents, there are countless creative and fun activities to make the day truly special.

1. Create a “Memory Lane” Scrapbook

One of the most meaningful gifts kids can give their grandparents is the gift of shared memories. In the weeks leading up to Grandparents Day, help your child gather old photos, drawings, letters, and mementos. Print out family pictures or scan old photographs to add a digital touch. Let your child decorate the pages with stickers, handwritten notes, and colorful designs.

Encourage your child to ask questions about their grandparents’ childhoods, favorite traditions, or historical events they lived through. This is not only a great bonding experience but also an educational one that connects kids to their family history.

2. Host a Grandparents Day Picnic or Tea Party

Weather permitting, a Grandparents Day picnic or tea party is a lovely way to spend time together. Kids can help prepare simple foods like sandwiches, fruit kabobs, or homemade cookies. Set up a cozy outdoor or indoor space with picnic blankets or a small table decorated with flowers and crafts made by the children.

You could also add a storytelling session where grandparents share childhood stories or family memories. This relaxing setting creates the perfect atmosphere for laughter, connection, and delicious food.

3. Create Handprint or Footprint Art

Younger kids especially love getting a little messy with paints! A handprint or footprint canvas can be a sweet keepsake for grandparents. Use washable paint to help children press their hands or feet onto paper or canvas, then turn it into a tree, flower, or heart design.

Add a simple quote like:
“Grandma, your love helps me grow!”
Or
“Grandpa, walking in your footsteps means the world to me.”

Include the date and the child’s name to make the artwork timeless.

4. Record a Grandparent Interview

If you’re looking for a way to combine technology and family history, record a video or audio interview of your child talking with their grandparents. Come up with a list of questions together, such as:

• What was your favorite toy growing up?

• What did you want to be when you were a kid?

• What was school like when you were my age?

• What advice do you have for me?

These interviews can become cherished digital keepsakes that families will treasure for years.

5. Do a Joint Craft or Puzzle Activity

Crafting or puzzling together can be a peaceful yet engaging activity for grandparents and kids. Choose a craft that’s simple and suitable for all ages. Ideas include:

• Decorating flower pots

• Painting birdhouses

• Making DIY bookmarks

• Building a small LEGO model together

For quieter bonding time, work on a jigsaw puzzle together while chatting and sharing stories. It’s not about finishing fast — it’s about enjoying the process together.

6. Write a Letter or Poem

Not all grandparents live close by, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be celebrated. Encourage your child to write a heartfelt letter or poem to their grandparent. Here are a few sentence starters for younger children:

• “My favorite thing to do with you is…”

• “Thank you for teaching me how to…”

• “When I think of you, I feel…”

Older children might write an acrostic poem using the word “GRANDMA” or “GRANDPA,” or even write a short story that features their grandparent as the hero.

Mail the letter early or read it aloud during a video call on Grandparents Day.

7. Cook or Bake a Family Recipe Together

Food is a love language for many families. Grandparents often have a favorite dish or a secret recipe that has been passed down for generations. Grandparents Day is the perfect time to cook or bake something special together.

Ask the grandparent to lead the way (if they’re able), or let the child help measure, stir, and taste along the way. Make sure to write down the recipe with the grandparent’s notes and stories included. It’s not just a dish — it’s a legacy.

8. Organize a Family Talent Show

A family talent show is a fun and light-hearted way to let kids perform and involve grandparents as special guests or judges. Kids can:

• Sing a song

• Perform a skit

• Show off a dance routine

• Recite a poem

• Play an instrument

Encourage the grandparents to join in as well — maybe they have a hidden talent for storytelling, harmonica playing, or even juggling! Capture it all on video for a keepsake.

9. Make a Time Capsule

Create a small family time capsule with your child to be opened on a future Grandparents Day — maybe in five or ten years. Include:

• A letter from the child

• A drawing or photo

• A current newspaper clipping

• A small toy or object that represents today

• A list of favorite things (songs, foods, hobbies)

Seal the capsule in a box or container with a “Do not open until…” label. It gives both generations something to look forward to!

10. Virtual Activities for Long-Distance Grandparents

If in-person visits aren’t possible, technology bridges the gap. Some fun virtual Grandparents Day ideas include:

• Playing online games like virtual chess, Pictionary, or trivia

• Watching a movie “together” over Zoom or streaming platforms

• Reading a storybook aloud to each other

• Sharing a virtual meal or tea over a video call

Even from a distance, love and connection can shine brightly.