Summer Outing Ideas for Grandparents

Summer is in full swing and many parents are lucky enough to have a set or two of grandparents willing to take the kids for a couple of hours, or even a few days over the summer holidays.

Finding things to do that don’t break the bank but hold interest for kids of all ages isn’t as difficult as you might think. Grandparents have a wonderful ability to slow things down and take the time to do what kids love to do, explore.

Here are just a few ideas for summer fun with grandkids:

Take a nature walk and hunt for frogs or tadpoles.
Visit the local library and pick up a few good mystery books – read outside in a hammock
Go to a nearby beach and look for special stones, sea glass or shells
Bike to the ice cream shop
Plant a garden – make a special meal of the harvest
Catch fireflies (and then release them)
Rent kayaks or canoes for the day
Hold a lemonade stand
Dig out an old camera with film and let the kids take a photo walk
Do a simple craft together such as decorating t-shirts for a sleepover
Wash the car and have fun getting wet
Take a train or bus trip
Go fly a kite – the beach is great for a steady breeze
Play mini-golf
Teach classic games – marbles, checkers, chess
Check out local outdoor concerts
Dig out the telescope if you have one or get a book from the library on constellations
Go garage sale shopping for games
Visit the county fair
Pick berries and make jam or pie
Watch a drive-in movie