45+ Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors

Looking to make this Grandparents Day more interesting and fun? Here's a mix of 45 Grandparents Day activities for seniors that will keep you all entertained for hours. From secret family recipe cook-offs and energetic scavenger hunts to cozy story hours and relaxing indoor pursuits. And, of course, there's a fun printable memory game and some surprises! Whether you’re aiming to get moving or enjoy some quiet time, this list has something for every energy level and interest.

45+ Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors @grannymaze

If your grandparent is active, celebrate with fun outdoor activities like nature walks, picnics, or mini golf! 

>> Go straight to the Outdoor Activities

If mobility is an issue, enjoy indoor activities like DIY craft workshops, movie marathons, or some chair dancing and singing.

>> Go straight to the Indoor Activities

If you’re pressed for time, check out our list of 11 fun printable activities you can start almost immediately.

>> Printable Activities

And for those beloved grandparents in nursing homes, find tips to make your visit truly special.

>> Nursing Home Visit Activities

Whether you opt for vibrant outdoor adventures or cozy indoor engagements, the goal is to make your grandparents feel cherished and involved. It’s about creating moments that say, "You’re important to me."

This Grandparents Day, choose activities that will bring smiles to their faces (and yours) and leave a lasting warmth in their hearts. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

With this diverse range of Grandparents Day activities for seniors, you’ll never run out of creative ways to celebrate your time together. Let’s make every moment count.

CONTENTS:

1. 10 Inexpensive Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors
2. 12 Outdoor Grandparents Day Activities
3. 12 Cozy Indoor Grandparents Day Activities
4. 11 FUN Printable Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors

Go straight to the coloring books and game >>

Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors: 45 Ideas You Can Use Right Now

45 Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors

Are you ready to have some fun on National Grandparents Day? I've got a bunch of great activity ideas for you to enjoy with your family. These Grandparents Day activities for seniors are easy, inexpensive, and sure to create lasting memories.

1. Family Recipe Cook-off
Gather family members for a cooking competition where everyone prepares their version of a beloved family recipe. Grandparents can judge or join in the cooking!

2. Memory Lane Maps
Create a "map" that outlines key locations from your grandparents' lives, like where they grew up, went to school, or had significant life events. Discuss each place and share stories.

3. Genealogy Journey
Spend the day exploring the family tree. Use online resources or family records to discover more about your heritage and share stories about ancestors.

4. Portrait Painting
Set up a painting station where grandparents and grandchildren can paint portraits of each other. This activity is both fun and a great keepsake.

5. Garden Picnic
Host a picnic in a local park or the family garden. Bring games like frisbee or bocce ball that grandparents can play or watch.

6. Story Hour
Have a story-sharing session where grandparents tell tales from their youth, favorite family vacations, or how they met their spouse. Record these stories for posterity.

7. Film Festival
Organize a mini-film festival at home featuring films from the era when your grandparents were young. Include some modern films for a mix of old and new.

8. Crafting Keepsakes
Engage in crafts that can serve as keepsakes, like creating handprint t-shirts, custom jewelry, or decorating family photo frames.

9. Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt with clues related to family history or inside jokes. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and can be done indoors or out. If you are outside for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood or nearby park, for example, challenge each other to identify different plants, trees, or birds along the way. Turn it into a scavenger hunt and see who can spot the most items on your list.

10. Make a Time Capsule
Create a time capsule together by gathering mementos like photos, letters, and small keepsakes. Seal them in a container with a note about your current lives, then choose a future date to open it. This activity is a fun way to preserve memories and look forward to the future.

Outdoor Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors to Enjoy

Now, how about some outdoor activities? Getting outside in the fresh air is always a good idea. You could have a picnic in the park or your backyard. Pack some sandwiches, fruit, and cookies, bring a cozy blanket to sit on, and enjoy a relaxing meal with your loved ones. While you're at it, why not fly a kite together? It's a classic activity that's fun for all ages.

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, go on a nature walk or hike. Look for interesting rocks, leaves, or flowers along the way. See who can spot the most birds or squirrels. Being in nature is a great way to bond and get some gentle exercise. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Here are 12 fun outdoor activities for seniors that are sure to bring joy and create memorable moments on this special day:

1. Go for a Walk
If the weather is nice, head out for a leisurely stroll together. Walk around the neighborhood or explore a local park. Point out interesting sights along the way, like pretty flowers or funny cloud shapes. If you're feeling up to it, you could even have a race or play a game of "I Spy" as you walk. Making a scavenger hunt is fun (see #9 above). Or bring along a bird guidebook or a plant identification app to add an educational twist to the stroll.

2. Outdoor Concert or Play
Check if there are any local outdoor concerts, plays, or performances happening on Grandparents Day. Enjoying a cultural event together can be a delightful and enriching experience for you both.

3. Picnic in the Park
Pack a picnic filled with your grandparents' favorite foods and head to a local park with a great view. Bring comfortable chairs or a blanket, and perhaps a card game or some music for a relaxed afternoon.

4. Fishing Trip
If they enjoy fishing, plan a trip to a nearby lake or river. Fishing is a peaceful way to spend time together outdoors and can be a thrilling experience if they hook a big one!

5. Garden Party Games
Set up a tea party in the garden with all the trimmings: tea, sandwiches, cakes, and perhaps some fancy hats. Decorate with some homemade decorations for a personal touch. Or throw a garden party with a twist by introducing some gentle, yet spirited games like bocce ball or croquet. Standing, laughing, and strategizing under the open sky can be just what the doctor ordered.

6. Outdoor Crafting Session
Bring the crafts outside! Set up a station for creating things like birdhouses, wind chimes, or floral arrangements. The fresh air will make the crafting even more enjoyable.

7. Golf or Mini-Golf
Whether you're all up for a full round of golf or prefer the fun of mini golf, this activity can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and engage in some friendly competition.

8. Historical Site Tour
Visit a local historical site or museum that offers outdoor tours. This can be a fascinating way to explore history and enjoy the day outside.

9. Photography Adventure
Equip yourselves with a camera or smartphone and go on a photography adventure. Capture moments from the day or focus on interesting plants, landscapes, or cityscapes.

10. Star Gazing
If Grandparents Day leads into a clear evening, why not extend the celebration with some star gazing? Bring blankets, a telescope, or binoculars, and perhaps a guidebook to help identify constellations.

11. Birdwatching
Another fun outdoor activity is birdwatching or nature identification. Get a guidebook from the library or look up information online about the plants and animals in your area. See how many different species you can spot and identify together. It's a great way to learn something new and appreciate the natural world around you.

12. Planting Memories
Get a little dirty and have a lot of fun planting a flower or vegetable garden. This is a great way to get physically active and create a living reminder of this special day.

Cozy Indoor Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors

When you're ready to head back inside, there are plenty of fun indoor activities to try. One idea is to get granny or grandpa to share a beloved family recipe with you. Choose something you loved to eat when you were younger, like a special cake, cookie, or savory dish. Let them walk you through the steps and tell stories about where the recipe came from. Share your memories too. Then enjoy the delicious results together!

Another sweet idea is to make homemade cards for each other. Break out the construction paper, markers, stickers, and glue, and let your creativity run wild. You can make silly cards, heartfelt cards, or a mix of both. I suggest making a card from one of our coloring books below, just color and fold in half. Viola, you have a unique, homemade card. Just write your message inside, sign and you've got a beautiful keepsake. 

Here are 12 indoor activities for seniors that are perfect for celebrating Grandparents Day:

1. Cooking and Baking Together - Share A Secret Family Recipe
Granny... this one is for you directly! One of the best ways to create lasting memories is by sharing family traditions. Why not teach your grandkids how to make your famous chocolate chip cookies or grandma's secret sauce? Not only will they have a blast in the kitchen with you, but they'll also learn a valuable skill and carry on a piece of your legacy.

2. Movie Marathon
Set up a cozy area with blankets and pillows and host a movie marathon featuring films from your grandparents' youth or movies that hold special memories. Don't forget the popcorn!

3. Board Games or Card Games
Board games and card games are perfect for Grandparents Day too. Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Go Fish, and Crazy Eights are always a hit. Or you can learn a new game together, like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride. Playing games is a fun way to engage your mind and enjoy some friendly competition.

4. Book Reading
Reading is a wonderful way to spend time together. You can each choose a favorite book to share or take turns reading chapters of a novel aloud. Discuss the stories afterwards and share your thoughts. For a fun twist, pretend you are the author at a book reading.

5. DIY Craft Workshop
Arts and crafts projects are another engaging option. You could paint pictures, knit scarves, make jewelry, homemade cards or scrapbooks. Try origami. Look for kits or tutorials online or at your local craft store. Creating something together means you'll have a unique keepsake to treasure afterwards.

6. Music and Dancing
Music has a way of bridging generations and sparking joy. These ones work both ways. You can both share your favorite songs from when you were young and play some current favorites. You can sing together, dance around the living room, or just listen and enjoy. 

7. Grandma's Vault of Family Secrets!
Want to take a trip down memory lane? Dig out those old photo albums and home videos, if you still have them, and look through them with your grandparents or grandkids.

Grandkids, get ready for the inside scoop straight from Grandma! Ask her all the juicy questions. What were Mom and Dad like as kids? Did they ever get caught pulling pranks? Don't let Grandma off the hook easily—she's got all the stories! Those old photos will come to life, and you might uncover some long-buried family secrets. Prepare to be amazed by the tales she's kept under wraps all these years!

Granny, share stories from your childhood and the adventures you had. Tell them what their parents were like as kids. Let them ask about the people and places in the photos. You could even label the pictures and create a special scrapbook to preserve those precious memories.

>> Life Story Journal for Grandparents: Preserve Your Legacy

8. Share Your Important Lessons
Storytelling is another great activity. Share favorite stories from your life, like funny moments, important lessons, or cherished memories. Encourage each other to share stories, take turns too. You can even make up imaginative tales together, taking turns adding to the narrative.

9. Do A Puzzle Together
Puzzles are a classic activity that never goes out of style. They're not only fun but also great for developing problem-solving skills and patience. You could even make it a competition and see who can find the most pieces or complete a section first!

10. Virtual Museum Tours
Explore museums from around the world without leaving home. Many famous museums offer virtual tours, which can be a great way to enjoy and learn about art, history, and culture.

11. Tea Tasting
Arrange a tea tasting event at home. Purchase a variety of teas and spend the afternoon discovering your favorites while enjoying some light snacks.

12. Talk and Listen
Finally, one of the best things to do on Grandparents Day is simply to talk and listen. Ask your grandparents or grandchildren about their lives, their hopes and dreams, their joys and challenges. Share your own experiences and life lessons. Really listen to each other and strengthen your bond. Sometimes the simplest activities are the most meaningful.

Despite being indoors, all of these activities offer wonderful opportunities to bond, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate Grandparents Day in a meaningful way.

11 FUN Printable Grandparents Day Activities for Seniors

Here are 11 printable Grandparents Day activities for seniors to enjoy indoors.

1. Family Trivia Game
Create a custom trivia game based on family history and fun facts about family members. Include questions about different generations to make it engaging and educational. Print out the trivia cards and have a small prize for the winner!

2. Crossword Puzzles
Design personalized crossword puzzles featuring clues related to your grandparents lives, such as their hobbies, favorite places, and significant life events. This can be both challenging and nostalgic.

>> Click here for some fun crossword puzzles.

3. Coloring Pages
Coloring isn't just for kids! Print out coloring pages that feature scenes or items from yesteryears, such as vintage cars, historical fashion, or scenes from old TV shows and movies. This can be relaxing and therapeutic. For some fun ways to repurpose your finished artwork - click here!

Check out my floral coloring pages designed specifically for seniors (though anyone can enjoy them!):

You can get the individual games or all 3 in a bundle - 3 for the price of 2! Click here for the bundle bargain.

4. Word Search Puzzles
Make custom word search puzzles with words that are significant to your family or that celebrates your own interests. This can help keep your mind sharp and entertained.

>> Click here for printable word search puzzles.

5. Bingo Cards
Create bingo cards with a twist—instead of numbers, use facts about family members, favorite family vacation spots, or significant years in your lives. This adds a personal touch and makes the game more interactive.

6. Memory Books
Provide templates for a "My Life Story" book, where grandparents can fill in information about their childhood, young adulthood, and other memorable moments. This can also be a great gift for them to pass down to younger generations. I had so much fun making this journal, I made 10 different covers you can use.

>> Life Story Journal & Memory Book

7. Recipe Cards
Print out blank recipe cards and invite your grandparents to write down their favorite recipes. This can be a part of a larger family cookbook project that gets passed around every Grandparents Day.

8. Door Hangers
Offer printable door hanger templates that your grandparents can color and decorate. Phrases like "Napping… Please do not disturb" or "Grandparent’s paradise... do not enter" can add a fun and practical element to the day.

9. Photo Booth Props
Print out themed photo booth props, such as hats, glasses, speech bubbles with funny sayings, and other accessories that grandparents can use to take fun photos with family.

10. Custom Calendars
Provide a template for a calendar that they can personalize with family birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates. Each month could feature family photos that you have pre-selected and printed.

11. Coupon Books
Create special coupon books with offers like "one free hug" or "movie night with grandma and grandpa". Homemade gifts are a wonderful way to show your love.