Generations United’s list of fun things to do for Grandparents Day
#DoSomethingGrand Activities:
Commit to doing one of the 10 grand activities listed below with your grandparents, grandfriends, grandchildren, or other loved ones. Remember to take a photo of the activity to share on social media, tag Generations United, and use the hashtag #DoSomethingGrand.
- Read a book with your grandfriends, grandparents, or grandfamily caregiver.
- Take a walk together through your neighborhood or favorite park.
- Share family stories of your favorite memories together, your family’s history, or look through a family photo album together.
- Go for an outing as a family (i.e. dinner at a restaurant, to the movies, skating rink, hiking, amusement park, etc.).
- Cook a meal together using your favorite family recipe.
- Do an arts and crafts activity.
- Have a virtual coffee or lunch date.
- Participate in an in-person or virtual family game night.
- Volunteer together in remembrance of 9/11 or attend a 9/11 memorial service event.
- Gather in person as a family and share kind words to honor those grandparents, grandfriends or older caregivers who are no longer here. Afterward, plant a tree or flower seed at a park, family garden, or special location to amplify their remembrance.
#Do Something Grand Expressions of Love and Appreciation:
Show your love for your grandparents, grandfriends, or grandchildren by posting special notes and photos. Fill in the blanks in the statements below and share on social media, tag Generations United, and use the hashtag #DoSomethingGrand.
- “For Grandparents Day, I celebrate … because …”
- “My favorite way to connect with my loved ones is…”
- “My favorite memory of my grandmother/grandfather/grandfriend is …”
- “My grandmother/grandfather/grandfriend inspires me by …”
Even those who are not on social media can participate in this too! From your own home, you can:
- Write handwritten notes to your grandparents, grandfriends, or grandchild. Include in the envelope your favorite photos together.
- Call or video chat with your grandchild, grandfriends, or other loved ones and convey the love and appreciation you have for them.
- Bake healthy treats and deliver them to your grandchildren, grandfriends, or loved ones. Or, pop in for a visit and bake them together!
Michelle Obama’s special mention of her grandparents
In the below photo are LaVaughn Robinson and Fraser Robinson, Jr.—better known to me as Grandma and Dandy, my grandparents on my father’s side. For years, Grandma managed a thriving Bible bookstore on the South Side of Chicago. She was perhaps my first example of a professional woman, showing me that being graceful and being in command weren’t mutually exclusive. Dandy, meanwhile, had moved to Chicago from South Carolina as a young man in pursuit of better opportunities. Brilliant and a hard worker, his hopes were mostly dashed by the discrimination he faced as a black man. His skin color closed most doors to him—landing a good job or even joining a union. Still, he pieced together odd jobs until finally, years later ended up working with the postal service, a job he held for thirty years.
Dandy and Grandma raised a beautiful family of five children, and to this day, their stories are woven together with my own; their sacrifices and successes are braided into everything I’ve become. On #GrandparentsDay, I hope you’ll all send a little love your grandparents’ way. Give them a call if you can—or simply hold them in your heart, grateful for all that they’ve given you.
