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Do you feel it too? These summer days are flying by! Today’s post is four simple summer activities that you can use to connect with your grandchildren in the coming days and weeks. These ideas can all be used virtually or in person, and can last for a few minutes to as long as everyone is still having fun!
In This Post
Simple Summer Activity #1 – Dice Games
Dice games are fun for everyone and can be played just about anywhere. Take them with you to visit the grands, tuck them in your purse to use at a restraunt (roll them on a napkin please!), or play dice games outside using a tray.
Check out these simple dice games for kids, make up your own, or let the kids create their own games.
This simple set will work perfectly.
If you have lots of grands, this set of 36 dice can be divided up and sent to each one in the mail. Then connect online and play all together!
Simple Summer Activity #2 – Campfire Stories
There are lots of memories about stories told around a campfire. You may not have the opportunity to sit fireside with your grands, but the story part can absolutely still happen wherever you gather.
These Fireside Story Dice will get you started. The dice are even coded to help the youngest grandchild participate. Win win!
You’ll find red dice for actions
Yellow for moods and emotions
Orange for objects
Green for activities
Blue for settings
This is a fun item to just keep accessible when the kids are around. One reviewer stated they keep the dice on the kitchen counter and often do a one minute story just for fun.
If you aren’t in person with your grandkids, roll the dice, take a picture of them and text it. Then when tine allows share your stories with each other. It will be fun to hear the different versions created by the same dice!
Simple Summer Activity #3 – Mad Libs
We are all about snail mail and this looks like a fun way to add some extra summer fun in their mailbox. Mad Libs are a fun activity for grandkids 7 and up.
This particular set is fun because they are designed to be mailed. I’m picturing having a phone date, and asking my granddaughter for the words that will fill in the story.
However, I’m going to keep it a mystery! I’ll fill in the letter, and then mail it to her. I know she is going to love this!
If you are lucky enough to be in person with your grandkids, this is another set of Mad Libs that can be completed and read together.
If your grandkids love to read check out this Summer Book Bucket List!
Simple Summer Activity #4 – Do You Really Know Your Family
This last idea will be fun when you are gathered with your grown kids and your grandkids. It’s a ‘game’ called Do You Really Know Your Family?
The game consists of conversation starters, trivia (Do you know your grandkid’s favorite color?) and silly challenges, such as having everyone draw the same thing with their eyes closed.
While it is called a game, to me it seems like just a fun way to spend time together. The rules are quite vague which I see as a plus. You can even pick and choose the cards you want to use.
This game can be used in lots of ways:
Set a timer for 5 – 10 minutes and answer just a few questions
Choose to use one category at a time
Form teams and have a family trivia contest.
Use the game during drive time, eliminating the challenge cards.
If you are a long distance grandparent like me, using the questions from the cards during a phone conversation, or including a couple in snail mail will help us learn about each other.
Do You Really Know Your Family:
As always we want to say that we believe it only takes a moment to create a memory.
We hope you enjoy these 4 fun simple summer activities to connect with grandkids this summer, and that they spark even more ways for you to enjoy time together before the new school year begins.