Freelance frenzy

I've been doing a lot of freelance writing. Most of it is boring-smoring SEO (search engine optimized) stuff... but then I snagged what I felt was an interesting and worthwhile article. However, the client wanted the words "auto insurance" near the top of the article. I complied, putting it in my first activity-- drive down memory lane. The client rejected the article and asked me to put the words "car insurance"  AND "auto insurance" in the FIRST paragraph. That's when I decided that it just wasn't worth it for a lousy 13 bucks. So, I'm keeping the rights to my list of fun grandparent-grandchild activities and publishing it for free. I hope you enjoy it! :)

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10 Activities for Grandparents and Grandkids
Many people say that the reward for raising children is grandchildren. While it's true that most grandchildren naturally develop a special bond with their grandparents, it never hurts to cultivate that relationship with some special activities. Spending quality time with your grandchildren is a rewarding experience that will produce memories that both you and they will cherish your whole lives.

Special moments with grandchildren can take place anywhere:  at home, in the car or at the beach. What matters is that you devote your energy and attention to them during the time. Here are ten great ways to have fun, memorable times with your grandkids.

1. Trip Down Memory Lane
Share your memories of childhood and what life was like when you were their age with a car tour.
If you live near your hometown, pack the children in the car and drive them past your childhood home. Visit a favorite childhood park or talk about what stores were like when you were little. Your grandchildren will love to hear your tales and to try to imagine your childhood as you drive them past your old haunts.

2. Picnic in the Park
Nothing beats a simple picnic. Your grandchildren will enjoy choosing and preparing their favorite foods and packing them into a big basket. Find a shady spot beneath a big tree, and spread out a big blanket. Or, if the weather isn’t cooperating, most children will find a living room picnic to be just as much of a treat.

3. Dress Up in Grandma's closet
You always knew there was a reason you didn’t get rid of those bell bottoms or garish mini dress. As grandparents, you’ve got the advantage of a treasure trove right in your closet, attic or basement. Most little children love to dress up, and outfits from another era will make this favorite childhood past time even more fun. Try staging a fun fashion show or photo shoot of you and your little ones wearing old style outfits.

4. Animal Adventures
A trip to an animal park with grandma and grandpa will always be a special treat. Zoos, aquariums and nature reserves are all ideal places to bring younger grandchildren because their walkways are usually designed to accommodate strollers and exhibits feature age-appropriate information or hands-on activities. A low-budget option for animal lovers is to simply spend an hour at a pet shop, where children can watch a wall of aquarium creatures or chat with parrots.

5. Make a Memory Book
Most children love to look at photographs from before they were born.  Pull out those albums or shoeboxes of old snapshots and let your grandchildren try to guess the identity of that handsome young man or pretty young woman. Make photocopies of your favorite shots and let your grandkids paste them into a scrapbook or album that they can take home. Help very young children to write the names, years and captions beneath the photos. They will be thankful for the keepsake long after you’re gone.

6. Digging Up Daddy's Old Toys
Another way to share something special with your grandchildren is to pull out some old toys. They will love to hear that Daddy used to wear a well-worn baseball mitt or that Mommy used to play with an electric train set.  Engage in some make believe or put on a puppet show.  Shoot some hoops or play catch with them so they can have a taste of their parents’ childhood. Keep a bin of vintage toys on hand for whenever your grandchildren come to visit, and they will always seek them out.

7. Muddy Puddles
One of the reasons grandchildren love their grandparents is that they often allow them to bend or even flat out break Mom and Dad’s rules for cleanliness, demeanor and diet. If it’s a warm but rainy day, break out the rubber boots or bare feet and get splashing!

8. Sweet Surprises
So many fond memories revolve around food. Enjoy baking cookies or a special dessert with your grandchildren. Make the time extra special by teaching them an old family recipe or your top secret methods so they can carry on a tradition when they’re old enough to cook. Or, if you’d rather not mess up your own kitchen, load the grandkids in the car and visit an ice cream or candy factory tour. The kids will learn something new and most likely get to try some yummy samples at the end.

9. Backyard or Bedroom Campout
Even if you’re not an avid outdoors enthusiast, you can enjoy the simple pleasure of sleeping in a tent. Your grandchildren will love setting up the tent with you and snuggling up in their sleeping bags. Bring out some flashlights and goodies and tell spooky stories or jokes until they fall asleep. If sleeping under the stars is not your thing, a blanket tent suspended from the dining room furniture can be just as exciting for most children.

10. Plant a Family Tree
If you love to garden, take your grandchildren to a local nursery and pick out a fruit tree or a perennial to plant in a special spot in the back yard. You can plant a tree to mark a special anniversary or birthday. Add a ring of mulch around the base of the tree and decorate the edge with pavers that you’ve painted or engraved with the names of family members. Take pictures of yourself with your grandchildren each year to keep a record of how you’ve all grown. The tree and the keepsake pictures will remain as a loving memorial for years to come.

There’s no limit to the kinds of activities you can enjoy with your grandchildren. Whether you choose to stay at home or venture out, the memories you make and the relationships you build with them will have enduring value.