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Staying connected with your grandkids on special days like Valentine’s Day can be challenging when you’re far apart. Sometimes it is even challenging when live just a few minutes down the road given the busy schedules our kids have. We’ve put together lots of creative and engaging activities for you to enjoy with your grandkids. These Valentine’s Day ideas for long-distance grandparents will help you feel closer, no matter how far apart you are.
In This Post
1. Virtual Craft Party
My grands absolutely LOVE creating special cards for the people they love. We’ve tried a few ready made ‘kits’ but nothing beats an assortment of supplies that they can put together however they like.
How to Set It Up:
- A week before Valentine’s Day, mail a small craft kit to your grandkids. Include supplies like red and pink construction paper, glue sticks, markers, and heart-shaped stickers.
- Schedule a video call and set up your crafting area to show them how to create simple items like heart-shaped cards or paper garlands.
- Take turns showing your creations on camera, and encourage them to make something for a friend or family member.
- If a video call doesn’t work, send each other pictures of finished creations, or pop yours in the mail to them!
Why It Works:
- Hands-on activities keep kids engaged, and the shared experience strengthens your relationship.
2. Story Time with a Valentine Theme
How to Set It Up:
- Choose a Valentine’s Day-themed book to read together. Two of our favorites are Little Blue Truck’s Valentine and Llama Llama I Love You.
- Try using a video platform with screen-sharing options if you have a digital version of the book.
- After reading you can talk about the book together. Here are a couple conversation starters. “What do you like about the book we just read?” “What do you love most about your family?” or “What’s something kind you’ve done recently?” Share your own answers as well.
Why It Works:
- Storytime is comforting and creates an opportunity for meaningful conversations about love and kindness.
3. Bake Together Virtually
How to Set It Up:
- Select a recipe or snack idea that will work well with your grandkids. It can be as simple as fruit kabobs, frosting graham crackers with sprinkles, or an actual baking experience.
- If I were doing this with my grandkids, I would have a Walmart grocery delivery sent to their door with the necessary ingredients.
- Prepare the snack or bake together over a video call, and enjoy the treats while chatting.
Why It Works:
- Baking is a sensory-rich activity that feels collaborative, even from a distance.
4. Send a Love Letter
How to Set It Up:
- Write a heartfelt letter or poem expressing your love and memories with your grandkids. I’ve written little poems, created acrostics, and done some “how do I love you…let me count the ways” letters. The girls love them!
- Pop it in the mail, or read your letter during a video call and ask them to share theirs.
- Like the idea of sending creative mail to your grandkids? PLUS members get a downloadable PDF each month with ideas you can use via mail, video chat or in person. Take the google searching out of your planning and get straight to connecting and making memories.
Why It Works:
- It teaches the value of expressing emotions and creates keepsakes for both of you.
5. Virtual Game Night
How to Set It Up:
- Prepare a Valentine’s Bingo game with squares like “heart,” “flower,” or “candy.” You can also purchase a pre-made version on Etsy or Amazon.
- Share the bingo card digitally or mail it in advance. We’ve had lots of success playing bingo virtually.
- Our five year old granddaughter also loves scavenger hunts so that is another idea to try. Create a list of items like “something red,” “a heart shape,” “a pink crayon”, “a purple shirt” or “a picture of someone you love.” Set a timer, and they can run and find something that matches the description. Just make sure you remind them to put everything back in it’s place when the game is over!
Why It Works:
- Games add energy to your call and encourage creativity and movement.
6. A Love Playlist
How to Set It Up:
- In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, ask them, or get info from mom or dad about their favorite songs.
- Create a playlist, invite them to a dance party, and play portions of some of the songs while you dance your hearts out.
Why It Works:
- Music sparks joy and helps you share a bit of your personality.
7. Photo and Memory Sharing
How to Set It Up:
- Gather some family photos (old and new) and share them on your video call.
- Tell stories and share memories about the photos, and invite your grandkids to share their memories too.
Why It Works:
- It’s a way to pass down family history and create a sense of belonging.
8. Virtual Valentine Exchange
How to Set It Up:
- Mail a Valentine card to your grandkids. You might also include small surprises like stickers, temporary tattoos, or a little puzzle. If they are getting a little bit older, a gift card to a local coffee shop can be super fun too!
- Schedule a call when they can open up the card and you can wish them a Happy Valentines Day.
- It adds an element of surprise and joy to your interaction.
9. Kindness Challenge
How to Set It Up:
- Together, create a list of simple acts of kindness, like “make a card for a friend,” “help clean up,” or “give someone a compliment.”
- Discuss what you each tried from the list in a follow-up conversation.
- Love the topic of kindness with your grandkids? Check out Three Books on Kindness I’m Reading to My Grandchildren This Month and Teaching Kindness to Grandkids!
Why It Works:
- It teaches the value of love in action and creates a shared mission.
10. Collaborative Art
How to Set It Up:
- There are several free online collaborative drawing tools you can access for free. A few to try are: Canva’s Online Whiteboard, Magma, Excalidraw, Microsoft Whiteboard, and Sketchboard.
- Choose a valentines theme such as ‘hearts’ or ‘what love looks like’ and create a piece of art together.
- If you have a grandchild that loves creating original work from a blank slate then this activity is one of the best Valentine’s Day ideas for long-distance grandparents that you should try this year!
- Save the final piece and print it as a keepsake.
Why It Works:
- It fosters creativity and teamwork, even when you’re apart.
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Activities That are Great for Preschoolers
1. Virtual Valentine’s Day Sing-Along
How to Set It Up:
- Sing simple songs with actions, like “Skidamarink” or make up your own Valentine-themed tune.
- Use props like a heart-shaped cutout or hand gestures to make it interactive.
- Encourage your grandchild to dance along or clap to the rhythm.
Why It Works:
- Preschoolers love music, and interactive songs keep their attention.
2. Color Matching Game
How to Set It Up:
- Send a small set of heart cutouts in different colors ahead of time.
- During the video call, hold up a heart and ask them to find the same color from their set.
- Extend the game by asking them to find objects in their home that match the colors.
Why It Works:
- It’s simple, engaging, and helps reinforce color recognition.
3. Heart Hunt
How to Set It Up:
- Hide paper hearts around your home and describe where they are for your grandchild to “find” them virtually (e.g., “Look near the big chair!”).
- Alternatively, ask their parent to hide hearts in their home for them to find during your call.
- This is one of our personal favorite Valentine’s Day ideas for long-distance grandparents, as it’s simple to set up and perfect for preschoolers.
Why It Works:
- Preschoolers love scavenger hunts, and it’s easy to adapt for virtual play.
4. Storytime with Puppets
How to Set It Up:
- You can easily turn a paper heart into a puppet by adding a face to it, and glue it on a straw or popscicle stick. Then the ‘heart’ can do the speaking. They’ll love it!
Why It Works:
- Puppets make the story more dynamic and engaging for younger kids.
Incorporating Valentine’s Day ideas for long-distance grandparents into your plans ensures that you can create shared experiences that leave lasting memories, regardless of physical distance. Which one will you try first? Happy Valentines Day!
