15 Ways to Connect with Teen Grandchildren

Do you find yourself at a loss when trying to connect with your teen grandchildren?  It may be harder to connect as your grandchildren get older, busier, and more independent.

Today we are sharing fifteen ideas for grandmas of teens to add to their bag of tricks.

How to Connect with Teen Grandchildren

1. Connect with regular text messages. Set reminders in your phone or calendar to send an encouraging text to your teen grandchildren at some regular interval. Start with once a week.  Be aware of your grandchild's schedule.  Time the text for early morning, before school, or later in the day.  Don't send a text during school time, sports practice, or a dance class. Keep your message short, sweet, and positive. Don't expect a reply.

2. Use snail mail.  Your teen does not expect to get snail mail.  Do the unexpected and send a note or a card through the US Post Office.  You don't need a reason so choose a schedule that works for you. 

3.  This a good time to dig out old pictures or videos of you and your grandchildren.  You can use a picture as a topic of your text messages.  Just attach the picture to your message.  Remind your grandchild of the events taking place around the picture.

4.  Make a photo book from pictures taken when your grandchild was younger.  Write comments on the pages of the book.

5. Link events in your grandchild's life to your life.  When your grandchild starts a job, tell him/her a story about your first job.  When they learn to drive tell them about your early driving experience or your first car. Focus on elements of the experience that transcend time.  

6. Send favorite snacks through the mail. This is especially great for college students.

7. Surprise your grandchild with a gift card for video gaming, a coffee shop, or gas when they least expect it.

8. Never forget a birthday.  Birthdays are the perfect time to remind your grandchildren how much they mean to you.

9. Talk to your grandchild through periodic phone or video calls.  This can be a challenge with teenagers.  Don't give up.  Let them know you are there for them. Tell them you love them.  Tell them you are proud of them.

10. Make the most of face-to-face visits when you have them.  Car rides are always good ways to get your teen grandchild's attention.  

11.  Cook with your teen.  This is a great time to teach a life skill to your teen grandchild.  Have your teen choose a favorite recipe.  Schedule a date to cook together.  You can even do this from a distance through a video call.  Cooking with your teen grandchild in preparation for a holiday is a wonderful way to share a holiday tradition.

12.  Schedule a date with your teen.  Take your teen grandchild to a favorite breakfast or lunch spot. Be prepared with stories about them from when they were little.  They will love to laugh with you about the cute things they did as a child.  Weave some questions into the conversation about what is going on in their life today.  Just don't make it an inquisition.

13. Ask for help.  Give your teen grandchild an opportunity to be useful.  Perhaps you could use some help with preparing your garden or climbing a ladder to reach high windows when washing them.  Make this an activity you can do together so you have an opportunity to chat.

14. Share a skill.  Invite your teen to learn to do something you love.  Do you refinish furniture?  Invite your teen grandchild to refinish a table or a dresser for his/her room.  Do you paint?  Invite your teen to a paint-with-me session.  Do you garden?  Invite your teen to plant some flowers or vegetables in a section of your garden.

15. Listen.  Leave judgment aside and listen carefully to your teen grandchild.  Pay attention to their feelings and challenges.  Teen years are full of change.  It may be hard to keep up.  Show your support by demonstrating you are always there for them.

Six Fun Winter Outdoor Activities to do with Grandkids

Winter has been pummeling the United States and I as write this, a majority of the country has snow cover.  Brrrr.

As the frigid temperatures rise you may want to get outside with your grandkids to explore the environment, release energy, and get the cobwebs out.

Six Outdoor Winter Activities to do With Grandkids

Today I want to share six fun ideas for activities to do with grandkids outside in winter.

1. Be winter seasonal detectives.  

Take a walk and search for all that you can find that is unique to the winter season. This is an opportunity to compare winter to the other seasons of the year in your community.

2.  Search for animal tracks.  

This is particularly fun after a new snowfall when the snow has been undisturbed by humans.  Take pictures of the tracks you find with your smartphone.  When you return home, draw the tracks on pieces of paper and research the animals that made the tracks.

3.  Gather natural elements for an art project. 

Leaves, sticks, stones, and seed pods all make interesting additions to art projects. Use what you gather to make landscapes or animal drawings when you get back inside.

4.  Snow Art.  

Fill squirt bottles with colored water. Use the squirt bottles to make colorful designs in the snow. Choose primary colors of food coloring so your grandkids can have fun mixing colors in the snow. Spray bottles filled with colored water will be fun, too.

5.  Make natural windchimes.  

Gather some sticks and stones you can secure to string for natural windchimes.  Your grandkids can then choose treas in your yard to hang the chimes from. Check out this rainbow-colored windchime made with sticks.

6. Make a snowman. 

You can make your snowman unique by dressing him using only natural elements you can find nearby.  Be sure to take pictures.

After the Outdoor Fun

1. Hot Chocolate 

Of course, once you come inside you'll want to have some hot chocolate.  Be sure you have all the ingredients for yummy hot chocolate embellishments on hand, too.  You can never have too many marshmallows.

2.  Make Salt Snowflakes

Salt snowflakes are a fun art project for any age.  

Read the Salt Snowflakes blog post. 

Watch the How to Make Salt Snowflakes video.

3. Make Cotton Swab Snowflakes

Snowflakes made with cotton swabs are quick easy.

Read about how to make cotton swab snowflakes.

Watch the Cotton Swabs Snowflakes video.

Have fun, grandmas!

A YES Day with Grandma

Have you heard about "YES" Days?

A Yes Day is one day a year when children can fill their day with hearing "yes" to requests instead of "no". Doesn't this sound like a perfect opportunity for grandmas?

Yes Days have caught on since the publishing of an adorable book called Yes Day, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  In March 2021, you can find it on Netflix.

You can get a preview of the book in this YouTube video.

If you are like me you will fall in love with the idea of Yes Days but will want some limits placed around the day.  I love the Yes Day idea because it can be customized to any age.  That makes it a wonderful annual event. The activities of the day can change annually to reflect the age and preferences of your grandchildren.

You'll want to check to see if Yes Days are already being scheduled in your grandchildren's homes.  If not, this will be an opportunity to start a new annual tradition with your grandchild.  If it is being implemented at home, you can give it your "grandma" special treatment.

Getting Started with Grandma Yes Days

Here are some steps to get started but I encourage you to make Grandma Yes Days your own.

1.  Buy the Yes Day book.

2.  Read the book with your grandchild well in advance of when you will schedule the Yes Day.  I recommend you hold one-on-one Yes Days if you have multiple grandchildren.  That way each grandchild will get a day that is all his/her own. This may not be a practical suggestion for some of you, so you can adapt this plan for multiple grandchildren.

3.  Make a list with each grandchild of the things they would love to do or have on a Yes Day.  Be sure to generate lots of fun and special ideas. You could start by talking about whether any of the ideas from the book would be fun. This is an opportunity to talk with your grandchild about why each request is special for them.  If the idea is impractical for a Yes Day you could start a separate list of "special wishes".  Be sure to discuss why the idea isn't practical for a Yes Day.

3. Record each of the Yes Day requests on a separate slip of paper to be placed in a Yes Day jar or box. You may want to color-code the slips of paper to aid in the selection process on Yes Day.  For example, all food requests go on blue paper, all outdoor activities go on red paper, all arts and crafts activities go on yellow paper, all screen-time activities go on white paper, etc.  Label the container with the child's name and allow the child to decorate it.  Place the container in a safe place and tell the child that one day in the future your will surprise him/her with a Yes Day.

4. Schedule a Yes Day.  You can tell your grandchild in advance or surprise them on the day. Let the child draw a certain number of requests from the container for the day.  This is where the color coding will help.  You may want to limit the requests to one of each color, for example. If you will have multiple grandchildren sharing the Yes Day, each should have a chance to choose the same number of requests from their containers.

5. Be sure to have your camera ready.  This is a perfect opportunity to record the day in videos and photos. 

Make Every Visit with Grandma a Yes Day

You can change this idea by making every visit with Grandma a Yes Day.  Here's how.

1.Follow steps 1 through 3, above.  

2. For every visit with Grandma, allow your grandchild to choose one or two request strips from the container.  You can add limits by guiding your grandchild to choose one of the blue strips.  If you have multiple grandchildren visiting at the same time, one could choose a blue request and one could choose a red request, etc.

3. Once the child's container is empty, refill with a new set of requests.

Yes Day Ideas

Some ideas to get you started:

• Have breakfast for dinner
• Do face painting
• Wear pajamas all day
• Watch a movie
• Have an indoor picnic
• Play a board game
• Read a book
• Make personal pizzas
• Bake cookies
• Stay up a 1/2 hour past bedtime
• Make icecream

Yes Days are a way to build anticipation and excitement into visits with Grandma and create lasting memories. Use them as an opportunity to engage with your grandchildren.  Most of all, have fun!

How to Make a Woven Danish Heart for Valentine's Day

You can make a fun heart craft with grandkids for Valentine's Day.  You may remember making these woven Danish hearts when you were in school.  I sure do.

Woven Danish Paper Hearts

Watch the Woven Danish Heart Tutorial

This is an easy paper heart you can customize based on age and capabilities. This project as demonstrated in the tutorial video will be perfect for grandchildren ages 5-10.  To make it more complex, search the Internet for more complicated templates.  There are many free ones available.

Materials Needed

You need: 

Red/pink and white construction paper 

scissors 

Heart Template: The template image is below for your to print.

white glue, like Elmer's

To make it easier for grandchildren, under five years old, you will want to cut the pattern out for them and help them with the weaving.  Choose the simplest pattern, the one where all the legs are of equal size. Use a glue stick for gluing the ends in place.  Little ones can do that.  They will also have fun gluing the heart embellishments on one the hearts are woven,

Pin This on Pinterest

Other Options to Try:

1.  Cut the patterns out of red and white felt.  Little ones may find it easier to weave with the felt.

2.  Cut the patterns out of cloth in fun, complementary designs.  Make two, a top and a bottom.  Sew the two hearts together with a simple running stitch.  Leave a short portion of one side open, turn it right side out and fill the heart with polyfill for a heart pillow. Older children may like trying this version.  It is a wonderful opportunity to begin teaching some basic sewing skills.

Here is the heart template to print on 8 1/2" x 11" printer paper.

Have fun building memories!

Are you following the Grandmas Making Memories Facebook Page?

You can join our private Facebook Group and share your memory building ideas.

Two Snowflake Art Projects to Make with Grandkids

When you are deep into winter and stuck inside these snowflake art projects will be fun activities for You and your grandkids.

The great thing about both of these projects is that they are easily adapted to the age and capability of your grandchildren.  It is very important before starting a project to understand the various components of the project and whether they are age-appropriate for your grandchild. You want these activities to be fun, not frustrating, so please take the tie to understand every part of the project before getting started.

To Prepare:

1. Watch the video tutorial for the project.

2. Assemble the materials required.

3. Prepare parts of the project, as necessary, depending on your grandchild's capabilities.

Making a Salt and Watercolor Snowflake

Watch: Salt and Watercolor Snowflake Video

Materials Needed

Sturdy background paper like watercolor paper or cardstock.

Kosher salt

White glue, like Elmer's

Watercolor paints

paintbrush

Directions

1. Draw the shape of a snowflake on your background paper.  

2. Run a bead of glue along the lines you drew on the paper.

3. Sprinkle salt generously over the glue.  Let it dry.  It may take several hours for the glue to dry depending on the conditions in your home.

4. Carry the paper to your sink or trash can to shake off the excess glue.

5. Choose the colors of watercolor paint you want to use.  Add water. Wet your brush.  You don't want your brush to be dripping wet.  Put watercolor paint on your brush and touch the brush lightly to your snowflake.  Watch the color spread.

6.  Let the snowflake dry completely before moving.

Making a Cotton Swab Snowflake

Watch:  Cotton Swab Snowflake Video

Materials Needed

Blue construction paper for background

Cotton swabs (6-whole swabs, 12-1/2 swab pieces, 12-tips)

White glue, like Elmer's

Scissors for cutting the swabs

Directions

1. Draw the shape of a snowflake on your background paper. (I suggest you start with six main legs of the snowflake.)

2. Cut the swabs to size.

3. Dip each swab in glue and place on your outline. Remember snowflakes have symmetry.

4. Let your snowflake dry completely before moving.

Most of all, have fun!

Reading to grandkids on video can be fun for both Grandmas and grandkids.

We all know that reading to kids is essential on many levels.  It stimulates the child's imagination, introduces new words, creates a love for books, and helps develop creative thought.  It can also help build a bond between the reader and the child.

Tips for Reading to Grandkids on Video

When my boys were growing up, reading time was our favorite time of day.  They loved it and I loved it.  We never had any trouble getting them in bed because reading time was always part of the sleep time preparation.  Even as teenagers they were allowed reading time before lights out.

As a grandma, I was reading time to be a special bonding time with my granddaughters.  When I'm with them I usually find an opportunity to read a book.  I can't always be with them and some of you may be separated by thousands of miles.  Thankfully we have video.

Here are some winter-themed books you will have fun reading to your grandkids.

You can make reading time on videos a fun time for everyone.  Here are some tips.

Preparing to Read on Video

Reading on video is really no different than reading in person.  I do like to prepare in advance.

1. Choose a book with colorful, easy to see pictures.
2. Read through the story in advance so you know what you want to point out in the pictures and any lessons you want to reinforce.
3. Be sure to pause before turning the page to give your grandchild enough time to look at and enjoy the picture.
4. Use sound effects as appropriate.
5. Laugh and show emotion as appropriate.

Have fun!

Using Your Windows 10 Laptop

You can record a video from your Windows 10 laptop.  Here's how you get started.

1. Launch the Camera app from your start menu. Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen to launch your apps list.  Find the "camera app" in the list and click on it. Another way is to type "camera" in the search bar found at the bottom left of your screen. Click on the "Camera App" button.

2. To record a video, Switch to Video Mode by clicking the video camera icon. Click again to begin recording. You'll see the time stamp in the bottom middle of the screen start to time your video

3. Record the Video. To stop recording click the red box.  You can also pause the video at any point using the pause icon. When you are reading a book it will look to you as if the video is recording backward.  When you play the video back, you will see it recorded the words are as they should be,

4. Save the video to share.

Using Your Smart Phone

I prefer to use my Android cell phone when making my videos because the camera quality on my phone is better than on my laptop. I purchased a stand to hold the phone while I read the book.  The steps will be the same on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Place the phone is the stand to record the video over your shoulder while you read the book.  In this position, the video will be as if your grandchild is sitting next to you. Here is a shot that shows you the angle set up I like best.

2. Record the video.

3.  Use the editing app as needed and save your video to share.

How to Share Your Video

My recommendation is to share your videos to an account where you can share links to the video.

1. If you have a Google account set up a Google Photos album to house all the videos.  Share the album with family members to access the videos as desired.

2.  Dropbox is also an easy to use storage option.  It is easy to links with family members there as well.

For both of these recommendations, you need to be aware of the "free" storage limits.  Google just announced they will be charging for exceeding storage limits in June 2021.  Dropbox has a paid level of storage as well.

It's time to get reading, Grandmas!

10 Fun Christmas Questions to Get Grandkids Talking

Do you sometimes have trouble getting your grandkids to engage when talking to them by video or the telephone?

You are not alone.

We've talked before about your Grandma's Bag of Tricks.  Well, one of the things you want to have stashed away in your bag of tricks is pages and pages of questions you can use as conversation starters.

Here are ten fun questions for the Christmas holiday season.

Ten Conversation Starters for Christmas 

Print Ten Fun Christmas Conversation Starters for Grandkids

Think of your favorite Christmas food. Don't tell me. Let's see if I can guess what it is.
-What is one word to describe how it looks?
-What is one word to describe how it smells?
-What is one word to describe how it tastes?



What is your favorite Christmas Christmas decoration in your house? Describe it to see if I can guess what it is.

-(If on video) Will you show it to me?


What are the colors that make you think about Christmas?


Did you make any Christmas decorations this year?
-What did you make them with?
-Where are they displayed?


What Christmas gift can you give that doesn’t cost money?

-Who would you give that gift to?


What is your favorite Christmas song? Will you sing it for me?

-Would you like to hear me sing my favorite Christmas song?


Do you think it is better to get a gift in a big box or a little box? 

 -What would be some good gifts to get in that box?

What does your favorite Christmas tree ornament look like?

-(When on video) Will you show it to me?


What is your favorite Christmas dessert?

-What do you like about it?


What are some things that should be in a Christmas picture?

-Will you draw me a picture with those things in it?