9 things every grandparent should do with their grandchildren at least once

Being a grandparent is one of life's greatest privileges. It's a chance to watch a new generation grow, to share wisdom without the pressure of primary parenting, and to create memories that will outlast us all.

But here's the thing: those memories don't create themselves. They come from intentional moments, shared experiences, and the simple act of showing up.

Today, I want to share nine things I believe every grandparent should do with their grandchildren at least once. These aren't grand gestures or expensive trips. They're meaningful experiences that strengthen bonds and teach lessons that textbooks can't.

Let's dive in.

1. Teach them something you're passionate about

What lights you up? What skill or hobby have you spent decades perfecting?

Maybe it's woodworking, gardening, cooking, photography, or playing an instrument. Whatever it is, share it with your grandchildren.

I've mentioned this before, but some of my most vivid childhood memories involve my grandfather teaching me how to develop film in his makeshift darkroom. The smell of the chemicals, the magic of watching an image appear on blank paper, it all felt like alchemy. He didn't just teach me photography that day. He taught me patience, attention to detail, and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.

Don't worry if your grandchild doesn't master the skill immediately or even show long-term interest. The point isn't perfection. It's connection.

2. Take them to your childhood neighborhood

Ever wonder what you were like as a kid? Your grandchildren probably do too.

Taking them to where you grew up gives them context. It makes you real in a way that stories alone can't accomplish.

Show them the house you lived in, the school you attended, the corner store where you bought candy. Point out the tree you climbed, the street where you learned to ride a bike, the park where you had your first kiss.

These places might look different now, maybe smaller than you remember, maybe completely transformed. But that's part of the lesson too. It shows that change is constant, that neighborhoods evolve, that nothing stays the same forever.

When you share these spaces, you're not just giving them history. You're showing them that you were once young, uncertain, and full of dreams, just like they are now.

3. Record your family stories

How much do you actually know about your great-grandparents? Most of us can barely piece together the basics.

Don't let that happen to your family history.

Sit down with your grandchildren and record the stories. Talk about your parents, your childhood, the struggles and triumphs that shaped your family. Describe what life was like before smartphones, before the internet, before many of the conveniences we now take for granted.

You don't need fancy equipment for this. A smartphone voice recorder works perfectly fine. The goal is to capture not just the facts, but your voice, your laughter, your pauses as you remember.

These recordings become priceless over time. They preserve not just information, but essence. Years from now, your grandchildren will be able to hear your voice again, to remember exactly how you told a story, to share you with their own children.

4. Let them beat you at something

I'm not talking about letting them win every board game or deliberately losing at cards.

I mean find something where they genuinely have the advantage and let them teach you.

Maybe it's a video game they love, a TikTok dance, or how to use a new app. Ask them to show you, to be patient with your questions, to help you understand.

This role reversal is powerful. It builds their confidence, gives them a sense of competence, and reminds them that learning never stops regardless of age.

Plus, watching you struggle and laugh at your own mistakes teaches them that it's okay to not be good at everything. It models humility and the willingness to try new things even when you might look foolish.

Some of my favorite moments with my niece have been when she's trying to teach me Minecraft. I'm terrible at it, and she finds it hilarious, but there's genuine pride in her eyes when I finally figure something out.

5. Share a meal you make from scratch together

There's something sacred about cooking with someone. It's intimate and collaborative and creates space for conversation that feels different from sitting across a table.

Pick a recipe that matters to you. Maybe it's your mother's soup, your father's pancakes, or a dish from your cultural heritage. Then make it together from start to finish.

Let them crack the eggs, stir the sauce, knead the dough. Don't worry about the mess or whether they're doing it perfectly. That's not the point.

As you cook, tell them why this recipe matters. Share memories attached to it. Explain where ingredients come from, why certain techniques work, what you learned from making mistakes along the way.

Cooking is our most intimate connection with nature, with the earth, and with one another.

When you share a meal you've made together, you're not just feeding bodies. You're feeding connection, tradition, and love.

6. Show them your old photos and explain who's in them

Who is that man in the uniform? Why is everyone dressed up? What was happening in this picture?

Without context, old family photos are just images of strangers. But with your stories, they become something else entirely. They become lineage, identity, and belonging.

Go through your photo albums or boxes with your grandchildren. Take your time with each image. Tell them who's who, how people were related, what was happening that day.

Point out family resemblances. Show them how your father had the same crooked smile your grandson has now. Explain that your aunt had curly hair just like your granddaughter's.

These connections matter more than you might think. They give children a sense of being part of something bigger than themselves, a story that started long before they arrived and will continue long after they're gone.

And honestly? Once you're gone, if you haven't told these stories, they're lost forever. No one else knows them like you do.

7. Take them somewhere in nature you love

Do you have a place that feeds your soul? A hiking trail, a fishing spot, a quiet beach, a mountain overlook?

Take your grandchildren there.

Show them why it matters to you. Teach them to notice things: the way light filters through leaves, how different birds sound, where to find the best skipping stones, why certain plants grow where they do.

This isn't about creating outdoor enthusiasts, though that's a nice bonus if it happens. It's about teaching awareness, appreciation, and the importance of having places that restore you.

I've traveled quite a bit over the years, and one thing I've learned is that people who have a strong connection to nature tend to have better mental health outcomes. This is backed by experts, who have noted that time spent in natural environments reduces stress hormones and improves overall wellbeing.

But beyond the science, there's something profound about sharing a place you love with someone you love. It creates shared reference points, inside jokes, and memories tied to specific landscapes.

Years from now, when your grandchild visits that place again, they'll think of you.

8. Write them a letter for the future

What do you want them to know when they're 18, 25, or 40?

Sit down and write them a letter. Not an email, an actual handwritten letter. Tell them what you hope for them, what you've learned about life, what advice you'd give your younger self.

Be honest about your regrets and proud of your triumphs. Share what you wish you'd known earlier, what you'd do differently, what you'd do exactly the same.

Don't make it heavy or preachy. Write like you're talking to them over coffee. Use your natural voice. Let your personality show through.

Then seal it and give it to their parents with instructions about when to share it. Maybe on their high school graduation, their wedding day, or the birth of their first child.

This letter becomes a gift that outlasts you. It's your voice reaching forward through time, offering guidance when they might need it most, reminding them they were deeply loved.

9. Simply do nothing together

This might be the most important one.

In our productivity-obsessed culture, we feel like every moment needs to be optimized, every interaction needs to be meaningful, every experience needs to be documented.

But sometimes the best thing you can do is just exist in the same space.

Read books side by side. Watch clouds. Sit on the porch. Listen to music. Take a slow walk with no destination in mind.

Don't feel the need to fill every silence with conversation or teach a lesson in every moment. Sometimes presence is enough.

These quiet moments teach patience, contentment, and the art of simply being. They show your grandchildren that you don't always need to be entertained, that boredom can be a gift, that there's value in stillness.

Some of my best memories aren't of big events or special occasions. They're of ordinary afternoons spent doing absolutely nothing with people I loved.

Conclusion

That just about wraps it up for today, folks.

Being a grandparent isn't about being perfect or having all the answers. It's about showing up, creating moments, and leaving an imprint on a young person's life that lasts long after you're gone.

The nine things I've shared aren't about checking boxes or creating Instagram-worthy moments. They're about intentional connection, preserved memories, and the simple act of choosing to be present.

Your grandchildren won't remember every gift you bought them or every dollar you spent. But they will remember how you made them feel, what you taught them, and the experiences you shared.

So pick one of these things and do it. Then pick another. Time moves faster than we think, and the opportunity to create these memories won't last forever.