Activities to Do With Older Grandchildren

When your grandkids are young, it’s relatively easy to find ways to entertain them and choose activities to do together. Whether it’s a craft project, going to the movies, or playing a board game, younger kids are easy to spend time with, as long as they’re having fun. Once your grandchildren hit 12 or 13, however, a whole new dynamic can develop. Suddenly they’re moody and self-conscious, and dismissive of the things they used to enjoy doing with you. Instead of getting upset or mad, understand that this move to teenagerhood is totally normal, and that you can still have fun together. You just have to put a little more thought into the things you plan to do together.

Ask For a Tutorial

Today’s millenial generation has grown up with computers. Their ease with the Internet is something you can take advantage of, too, and something you can bond over. Just ask them if they would mind showing you a few things on the computer that you were interested in doing. Maybe you’d like to set up a blog to document your next vacation to Europe, or you’d like to start a Flickr account to post your photos. They’ll get to showcase their skills and knowledge (which is fun for them, and likely to make them less self conscious), and you’ll get a tutorial on something you’ve been wanting to do.

Teach Them a Thing Or Two

Your tween or teen might think they know it all, but you probably have a few neat things up your sleeve that they’d be dying to learn, if you offered. Here are a few examples, though this is obviously only limited by your particular skills and creativity.

Teach them to drive. If your grandchild is 14 or 15, the time is near when they’ll be able to get their own driver’s license (as terrifying as that may be!). Depending on their age and current skill, take them for a drive around a parking lot or residential neighborhood, and give them tips and pointers.
Do something creative. Whether you’re a great amateur photographer or a skilled pianist, giving your grandchild a mini art lesson can be a great way to bond.
Show them how to cook a few basic things. You’d be surprised how many kids make it to their teen years without knowing how to scramble eggs or boil pasta. Tell them they’ll need these skills for college or for when they move out on their own—this will perk up their interest and make them more engaged in your cooking lesson.
Teach them investment basics. Give them a short economics lesson, explaining public companies and shares. Help them pick out a stock and buy them a few shares of their own; watch the company’s progress together.

Learn Something Together

If your older grandchild is staying with you for an extended period of time, consider learning a new skill together. Whether it’s learning how to play ping pong or how to make a ceramic pot, the beauty of learning a new skill is that you’re on the same plane. You’re both learning and making mistakes, something that can help get a moody grandkid off their guard to have a good laugh at the both of you.