Do you ever find yourself needing to entertain grandkids? Are you stuck inside on a rainy day? Do you get to spend the day off from school together? We have a giant list of fun things to do with grandkids either for you to play with them or for them to entertain themselves. Some are online and others are offline, but all are quality time activities.
I know. I know. You don’t want the kids to just have brainless screen time or be accused of video babysitting. However, if the screen time that they have is more structured or educational, then just maybe you won’t feel so guilty about it.
And let’s face it. . .sometimes Nana needs a break! I run out of energy at times when I have the Littles, and I need some time to regroup and rest up for the next round of play.
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Her kids (my grandkids) are the ones who have tested these and given their stamp of “kid approval” on most of the following websites, games and books. We are very grateful to her for sharing their recommendations of fun things to do with grandkids.
Fun Things to Do with Grandkids. . .Recommended by Kids
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Table of Contents of Fun Things to Do with Grandkids
Favorite Kids YouTube Channels
- Cosmic Kids Yoga
- Go Noodle
- Kids Learning Tube
- National Geographic Kids
- Art Hub for Kids
- StoryTime at Awnie’s House
- Science Max
- Mystery Doug
Favorite Screen Time Games & Activities
Free Programs
All of these resources are free (as of the publishing time of this post). We’ll try to keep this updated if any of these programs change to a paid offer.
- PBS Kids
- Prodigy
- Khan Academy
- Typing Club
- Fun Brain
- Arcademics
- BBC Schools (for our friends in the UK – I can’t test this one as I’m in the U.S.)
Paid Programs
These all require a subscription, but many have a 1-month free trial.
Favorite Card Games
(most of these can be found on Amazon for $10 or less)
The Pancake Queen, the Ladybug Queen and 10 of their closest friends have fallen under a sleeping spell. It is the players’ job to wake them up using strategy, quick thinking and a little luck.
Flip your wig for this fast and frenzied card game that will put your frizzy in a tizzy! Race against your opponents to get rid of cards by matching all kinds of colorful hairstyles.
If ye win the number of tricks ye set out to take, then ye are awarded points. If ye fail to capture enough, or take too many, ye’ll lose points instead. Every rounds a battle, and ye best enter prepared to fight!
The Monopoly Brand Deal Card Game is all the fun of the Monopoly game in a quick-playing card game. A great way to play the Fast-Dealing Property Trading Game in as little as 15 minutes!
This addictive game is as unique as its name. Race against each other to SLAP a match between a card and spoken word. But – watch out! – your mind will play tricks on you.
Outsmart your opponents and collect donuts hot out of the oven for points. But beware, if two players go after the same donut, then no one gets it!
Many of these card and board games (below) are mentioned in our Best Games for Families to Play Together and get our stamp of approval! You can go to that post to see our reviews and explanation of the games there.
Favorite Family Board Games
In Azul: Summer Pavilion, players return to Portugal to accomplish the task that never began. Only the best will rise to the challenge to honor the Portuguese royal family.
As you work together to try and nab the guilty fox, you’ll learn some valuable skills such as estimating probability and paying attention to details!
It takes a smart mind to crack the code fast! The player with the lowest number of attempts, therefore having the fewest points, is the winner!
The 6-foot game board offers so many opportunities for players to discover and explore together. Adventure though all 12 Disney realms!
Every picture tells a story – but what story will your picture tell? It is brilliant and simple, beautiful and imaginative, and fun for all.
Favorite Read Aloud Books
When Inge Maria Jensen’s mother dies, the ten-year-old girl in braids is sent from Copenhagen to live on her grandmother’s farm on the Danish island of Bornholm. This cozy, humorous novel explores love and loss . . . and the unsung magic of mischief.
A girl. An iguana. An island. . . and e-mail. Meet Nim–a modern-day Robinson Crusoe! But when disaster seems near, Nim has to be stronger and braver than she’s ever been before.
A Little Princess is a 1905 children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is a revised and expanded version of Burnett’s 1888 serialised novel entitled Sara Crewe: or, What Happened at Miss Minchin’s Boarding School
Heidi, a girl living in the majestic Swiss Alps with her grandfather, finds beauty and simple wisdom in nature. But her life suddenly changes when she must live in the city and she grows homesick for her mountain life. Come for the adventure that will bring tears and smiles and warm your heart.
Times are tough around the little brown house! The widowed Mrs. Pepper has to sew all day long just to earn enough to pay the rent and to feed the five growing Peppers. But she faces poverty and trouble with a stout heart, a smiling face, and the help of her jolly brood.
When her grandfather is injured, 10-year-old Ellen Toliver replaces him on a top-secret patriotic mission. Disguised as a boy, she manages to smuggle a message to General George Washington.
Although he faces responsibility bravely, thirteen-year-old Matt is more than a little apprehensive when his father leaves him alone to guard their new cabin in the wilderness. This story is filled with wonderful detail about living in the wilderness and the relationships that formed between settlers and natives in the 1700s.
Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting.
Favorite Series Books
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.
Ranger is a time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training. Throughout the series, Ranger travels back to historic places and times. He has a nose for trouble. . .but always saves the day!
These books are a series of illustrated biographies that are perfect for younger readers. Each book features a significant historical figure such as artists, scientists, and world leaders. These books are also sold separately.
These books are abridged versions of the classic stories of all time. They have beautifully illustrated covers and easy-to-read chapters that will bring the world of classic literature to even the youngest readers.
Well, there you have it. Kid-recommended. . .Nana-approved!
Please let us know in the comments below if you have other recommendations of fun things to do with grandkids to add to this list. We would love to hear about your favorites!!
Cookies & Milk for Everyone!
got any ideas of things to do on Zoom with a long distant 6 month old. She can sit in her highchair and look at the PC.
You know, our little 8 month old granddaughter just LOVES to see herself on camera. Ha ha! So she’s easy to entertain as long as she can watch herself. 😉
I would show picture books to her and colorful little toys that make sounds. My littlest ones always liked singing. . .yes, even if you don’t have the greatest voice, most babies like music. Your voice will be familiar to her after awhile. Most of all, don’t expect the attention span to last a long time. Short, frequent “visits” are probably your best bet.
Whatever you do, look right into the camera so she can see that you are looking at her. She will study your face and get to know your voice. That’s the most important part. Have fun with that sweet little baby!