Do you have a sports-loving grandkid? Whether they dream of being a quarterback or just love bouncing a ball around the driveway, sports can be a great way to connect across the miles. You don’t need a stadium or a whistle to make this happen, just a little creativity and a shared sense of play!
In This Post
Fun & Simple Sports-Themed Long Distance Ideas
1. Mini “Sports Challenges” Over Video Chat
Preschoolers through elementary kids love movement — and a little competition makes it even better.
Try:
- “How many times can you bounce the ball before it rolls away?”
- “Can you show me your best touchdown dance?”
- “I’ll time you: how fast can you run around the yard and back?”
Bonus Fun: Keep a “scorecard” or “results sheeet” over time just for fun — nothing fancy, just shared memories!
2. Send Sports Mystery Mail
Put together a small package of sports-themed items (this can be simple — stickers, a photo of you in a jersey, a dollar store whistle or foam ball) and mail it as a surprise.
Then team up with your grown kid to open the package over a video chat.
Bonus Fun: Together with your grown kid create a scavenger hunt with the items in the package.
3. Create a Sports Trading Card… About Each Other!
- Use a printable or simple index card format.
- In addition to the traditional ‘stats’ you can include some fun ones like:
-
- “Favorite Color”
- “Favorite Food”
- “Team Name if You Had One”
- “Walk up Song
Bonus Fun: You can make one about yourself and mail it, or do it together during a call. If your grandkids are into designing digitally, Check out canva.com where you can use pre-made templates to get started.
4. Story Time: Sports Edition
Pick a sports-themed book to read aloud during a video call or record yourself reading one for them to watch anytime. Great choices include:
- Froggy Plays Soccer by Jonathan London (Preschool)
- The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team
- MVP Kids or Little People Big Dreams: Sports Stars
Order matching books and have one shipped to your grandchild. Include bookmarks to keep track of where you are.
5. Cheer Squad by Mail
Send a printable or handmade “cheer cards” they can use when they’re watching a sibling’s game or just playing pretend or catching football on TV.
Include both traditional messages and personal ones as well:
- “Go Team!”
- “You’re a Champion at Trying Again!”
- “I’m Cheering for You!”
- Customize a card for their favorite team.
6. Make-Your-Own Medal or Trophy
On a video chat gather craft materials to create trophies or fun certificates:
- “Best smile on the field”
- “Best Sock Slide in a Kitchen”
- “Champion Runner of the Backyard”
Bonus Fun: Mail your creation to them after you chat!
7. Sports Bingo (Preschool Version or Older Kid Version)
Create or send a themed bingo card:
- Preschool – Elementary kids love Bingo: Use pictures from a variety of sports, or make a board for their favorite sport.. You can create a smaller board for pre-schoolers, while older kids can play a game with a larger grid. Check out canva.com for games you can easily purchase, download, print and mail.
Bonus Fun: Add actions to a few of the square on the board for older kids. “Do 5 jumping jacks”, “Touch your toes” “Signal for a touchdown”
9. Create a Team Chant or Handshake Together
- Make up a silly team name just for the two of you (“Team Giggle Champs!”).
- Come up with a short chant or clap-‘handshake’ you can do at the beginning or end of your calls.
Bonus Fun: Print a little “Team Membership Certificate” and mail it to your grandkids!
10. Design-a-Uniform or Team Logo
- Invite your grandchild to draw and color their own uniform or team logo using a template.
- You can do the same and then share your designs.
- Ask questions like:
- “What colors would your team wear?”
- “What sport does your team play?”
- “Does you team have a mascot?”
11. Host a Virtual “Snack Break”
- We all know that sometimes the best part of practice is the snack afterward. Choose a day for a casual call where you both enjoy a traditional after practice snack. Juice box, granola bars, and cheese sticks anyone?
12. Ask a Weekly “Would You Rather: Sports Edition”
Send one sports-themed “Would You Rather?” question each week. Examples:
- Would you rather win a gold medal or hit a game-winning home run?
- Would you rather ride in a race car or fly like a snowboarder?
- Would you rather have a football for a head or giant soccer cleats for feet?
Bonus Fun: Keep a shared “record” of their answers over time.
13. Create a “Hydration Buddy” Plan
- My grandkids love their water bottles. But sometimes I need some reminding. Tell them you’ll both drink water at the same time every day before “training” (even if training = playing tag, heading for school or going to work).
- Send a silly water tracker or design a water bottle label with their name and your “team” name.
No matter the age, sports provide a fun, low-pressure way to laugh, move, and make memories together — even from a distance. So go ahead: toss the ball, do a victory dance, and stay in the game together.