Our top 7 activities to enjoy with your grandchildren
Time spent between grandparents and grandchildren is a valuable chance to build lasting memories and strengthen family ties. There are countless ways to make this happen, and fun is often the key. Whether at home or outside, here are our top 7 playful activities to try with your grandchildren during their visit.
1. Gourmet cooking workshop
Kids usually love rolling up their sleeves! Whipping up cookies or a homemade pizza is a perfect way to bond and pass down know-how. Not only does it spark creativity, but it also sharpens motor skills. Kneading, chopping, stirring… every movement enhances hand-eye coordination and precision.
According to the charity organization Let’s Talk Science, cooking also serves as an excellent learning ground for mathematics. Weighing ingredients, measuring liquids or dividing a cake into portions allows children to grasp concepts like fractions and proportions in a tangible and fun way. This blend of learning and play makes cooking a delightful activity where problem-solving meets imagination.
Don’t stress if you’re not a master chef – especially if you live in a Le Groupe Maurice residence! Some school holidays feature cooking workshops hosted by professional chefs, offering food lovers of all ages a fun way to congregate over food.
And why not take the opportunity to request a kitchen tour? It’s a great way to discover the behind-the-scenes where everyday meals are prepared; and maybe even pick up a few chef’s tips along the way.
2. Gardening
Most kids absolutely love the chance to get messy and play in the dirt, making gardening an ideal pastime. Whether they’re planting fragrant herbs, nurturing radishes or marveling at colourful blooms, it’s an activity that’s as educational as it is relaxing.
And science confirms it: according to American researchers, gardening could be a powerful ally against stress and anxiety. Simply touching soil is believed to boost serotonin production (the “feel-good” hormone), helping improve concentration and promote overall relaxation.
For kids and teens alike, gardening offers hands-on lessons in plant development, seasonal changes and environmental care. It nurtures patience, sharpens observational skills and builds accountability – one seedling at a time.
Several Le Groupe Maurice residences feature a community garden; a shared space to get your hands dirty, exchange gardening tips or simply meander among the greenery. Of course, everyone is welcome to enjoy it at their own pace while respecting others’ space.
And if you prefer a more private spot, your balcony can also become your own little green oasis – a peaceful retreat perfect for reading, gardening or just enjoying the fresh air.
3. Board games or video games
Nothing beats game time, from tabletop classics to digital adventures. Played in your apartment or the residence’s common areas, they become heartwarming opportunities for laughter and coming together.
Timeless favourites like Scrabble, Uno and dominoes never disappoint. Younger kids often love cooperative games such as Monster Chase, which focus on teamwork rather than competition. For video game enthusiasts, Overcooked offers chaotic kitchen fun that demands teamwork, while Minecraft unlocks endless creativity through virtual block-building adventures.
That said, a gentle reminder: as with any screen-based activity, moderation is key. Blue light can disrupt sleep, and prolonged screen time may strain eyes – especially in younger ones. The solution? Mix it up!
4. Sporting activities
Why not turn exercise into bonding time? Grandchildren’s visits are ideal for staying active together in ways that suit you both. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a game of pickleball or some fun with ring toss, every option is great for combining fitness with enjoyment.
In residence, shared amenities like the indoor pool, virtual gaming simulators or gardens provide the perfect setting for these activities. Many are open to both residents and their guests. An evening stroll after dinner, a game of bowling or a few laps before afternoon snack time can easily turn a visit into an active and cohesive experience.
It’s no secret that exercise boosts physical and mental well-being – improving sleep, mood and vitality. But the intergenerational benefits? Those are often overlooked gems.
Research by the University of Basel’s Alice Minghetti revealed that shared physical activity increases motivation, happiness and intergenerational bonding. Turns out exercise tightens family ties along with toning bodies!
5. Artistic activities
Paintbrushes, glue sticks, glitter and yarn – these creative sessions aren’t just projects, but intergenerational bonding tools. As they craft together, grandparents and grandkids exchange stories and skills. Not to mention, unleashing their shared creativity.
Beyond being enjoyable and heartwarming, art may also reduce stress and boost memory, regardless of age. It can even enhance children’s fine motor skills and imagination… all while sharing precious moments with grandma or grandpa.
Tailor the activity to what excites you both: sketch in the residence’s art studio, paint blooming garden flowers, craft friendship bracelets or create a scrapbook in the comfort of your apartment. Each handmade treasure, however modest, becomes a keepsake of your irreplaceable connection with your grandchildren.
6. Music and dance
Music and dance also make perfect activities to enjoy with your grandchildren. They nurture creativity while boosting physical and mental well-being for everyone involved.
The benefits are real: at any age, dancing can feel like a moment out of time – when we shed distracting thoughts and focus purely on movement, melody and the moment. It’s a way to release tension, channel energy and breathe differently.
According to the international organization Humanium, music plays a key role in children’s overall development, particularly in language and attention. By stimulating multiple brain areas simultaneously, it helps enhance memory, focus and understanding of sounds; essential elements for learning speech and reading.
Kids naturally adore singing and dancing, so why not share your beloved classics with them? Host a karaoke night, stage a silly living-room performance or invent your own “happy dance.” Talent isn’t required – only laughter and swaying to the rhythm matter!
7. Quiet time
Shared downtime between generations offers a rejuvenating respite. When energy runs low after an active day, these peaceful moments become essential for recharging together.
These peaceful moments could mean dozing off together, enjoying a movie (whether on TV or at your residence’s cinema), sharing a storybook or flipping through a photo album. Notably, Harvard Graduate School of Education confirms that shared reading builds childhood empathy – as analyzing characters’ journeys helps young minds grasp emotions and different viewpoints.
Quiet time can also be an opportunity to refocus through breathing exercises or child-friendly meditations. Several mobile apps like Petit Bambou, Namatata or Rootd are designed specifically for children. Note, however, that these apps mainly target older kids (school-aged children, teens and adults), with little to no content tailored for toddlers.
These shared quiet activities do more than unwind you; they weave values, culture and cherished memories into the fabric of your relationship, nurturing collective happiness.
From baking to gardening, sports to art projects… every moment with your grandchildren holds magic. What truly lasts isn’t the activity itself, but the laughter, stories and “aha!” moments that become your most cherished memories.
Need inspiration to keep things exciting? Refer to the above list of suggestions or browse the Théia app for Le Groupe Maurice’s curated activities. You may even stumble upon a shared hobby you never knew you’d love!