Celebrate Grandparenting: 101 Ideas to Intentionally Connect With Your Grands

101 I DEA S TO IN T EN TI O N AL LY CON N ECT WITH Y O U R GRA N D S

CELEBRATE

ELAINE McALLISTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION ONE

CELEBRATE WITH CRAFTS Inexpensive, easy crafts for gift giving or keepsakes #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16

Button Frames Glass Gem Magnets Eye Can (I can…)

Cute-as-a-Button Magnets Terra Cotta Creche Popsicle Stick Creche Stained Glass Paper Personalized Aprons Design-a-Plate Stuffed Shirt Pillows Handprint Canvas “It’s for the Birds” Bird Feeder Puzzled Frames Thumbprint Magnets Stained Glass Votives Pony Bead Suncatchers

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

SECTION TWO

CELEBRATE ON THE GO On-the-go activities of great value for generations who travel together #17 #18 #19 #20

Talking License Plates Rainbow Road Trip ABC Marathon Vacation Journal

32 34 35 36

CELEBRATE WITH TRADITIONS Easily-adaptable traditions for every family #22

Advent Angels – The Event Camp Gram – The Event

SECTION FOUR

CELEBRATE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Family-friendly outdoor fun #47

SECTION THREE

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Cousin Camp – The Event 49 #24 The Invitation (Event Extra) 50 #25 My Camp Journal (Event Extra) 51 #26 Indoor Tents (Event Extra) 52 #27 An Advent of Christmas Books 54 #28 Christmas Eve Pajama Party 55 #29 The Four Gift Christmas 56 #30 A Gingerbread Christmas 57 #31 Christmas Ornament of the Year 58 #32 Back-to-School Breakfast 59 #33 The Blessing of the Backpack 60 #34 Capture the Year in Pictures 61 #35 Class of ???? Shirt 62 #36 Back-to-School Dangle 63 #37 Oh, the Places You Will Go 64 #38 Grand Birthday Trip 65 #39 Birthday Journal 66 #40 Grandma’s (or Grandpa’s) Bible 67 #41 Birthday Balloons 69 #42 Resurrection Garden 70 #43 The Fab Five 71 #44 Random Acts of Kindness 73 #45 Summer Bucket List 75 #46 Family Growth Chart 77 #23

46 47

#48 #49 #50 #51 #52

Garden Jenga Kid Flicks Sidewalk Art Garden Twister Sponge Bombs Generic Scavenger Hunt

82 83 84 85 86 88

#53 #54 #55 #56 #57 #58 #59 #60 #61 #62

A to Z Scavenger Hunt Scripture Scavenger Hunt Park Scavenger Hunt After Dark Scavenger Hunt Backyard Scavenger Hunt Touchy-Feely Scavenger Hunt Listening Scavenger Hunt Country Life Scavenger Hunt City Life Scavenger Hunt Zoo Scavenger Hunt

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

CELEBRATE ACROSS THE MILES Theme-specific ideas especially for long-distance grandparents #64 #65 #66 #67 #68 #69 #70 #71 #72 #73 #74 #75

It’s Showtime Sundae Fun Day Artist in Residence Crafty Kids Here’s a Hug Cupcakes Galore Pick a Color, Any Color Countdown to Fun Read to Succeed Balloons and More Bon Appétit Wintertime Fun Gardening 101

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114

SECTION SIX

CELEBRATE IN THE KITCHEN Flavorful, fun snacks and meals #76 #77

Hobo Meals Mystery Meals

#79 #80 #81 #82 #83 #84 #85 #86 #87 #88

SECTION FIVE

#63

#78

118 119

#89 #90 #91 #92 #93 #94 #95

Mini Banana Splits Mega Banana Split S’mores on a Stick Mini S’mores S’more Kisses S’mores in a Cone Brown Bag Picnic Decorated Sugar Cookies Chicka Chicka Boom Boom No Mess Watermelon Choco Freeze Shaker Soft Serve Spaghetti Dogs Walking Tacos Candy Bar Car On-the-Go Omelets Mini Pizzas Fruit Kabob Flag

123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140

SECTION SEVEN

CELEBRATE WITH CONVERSATIONS Creative prompts to initiate conversations Sharing Memories Timeless Trivia #98 I Challenge You #99 It’s Hypothetical #100 Make a Choice #101 Simply Questions #96

#97

145 147 148 150 151 153

INTRODUCTION C

hildren need someone who is short on criticism and long on love, prays for them consistently, encourages them to excel in all things, and always cares in spite of their behaviors. That’s a grandparent.

Grandparent/grandchild relationships are second only, in terms of influence, to parent/child relationships and this book provides ideas to help grandparents make the most of that influence.

Celebrate Grandparenting is a valuable resource featuring 101 memorymaking activities for grandparents and grandchildren to use as they celebrate life together. The book includes step-by-step instructions, needed materials, photographs, illustrations, age-level adaptations, and suggestions for long-distance grandparenting. It’s expandable for future celebrations, as newly-discovered ideas can be noted at the end of each section.

Celebrate with Crafts Celebrate on the Go Celebrate with Traditions Celebrate in the Great Outdoors Celebrate Across the Miles Celebrate in the Kitchen Celebrate with Conversations My desire is for grandparents to always, always, always Celebrate Grandparenting!

Elaine McAllister (better known as Gramma Mac) Email me at BFFGramma@gmail.com

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CE LE BR ATE WITH CRA FTS

#1 2 “IT’S FOR THE BIRDS” BIRD FEEDER You will need: l Empty toilet paper rolls l Inexpensive peanut butter l Knife or rubber spatula l Bird seed l Paper plate l Soap and water for cleanup Directions: 1. Use a knife or spatula to generously spread peanut butter on the roll.

2. Pour bird seed on plate.

3. Gently roll the toilet paper roll until it’s covered with bird seed.

4. Hang it by a ribbon, or slip it over a branch and watch birds devour their treat.

Note: Consider buying a bird-watching book to encourage grands to identify birds.

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Note: If you’re a long-distance grandparent, see Section Five, and send everything your grands will need, then call them to hear what birds they’re attracting where they live.

PUZZLED FRAMES You will need: l Poster board or craft frames l Magnet tape l White school glue l Small foam paintbrush l Discarded jigsaw puzzle pieces l A photo to display

CE L E B RATE WITH CR AF TS

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Directions: 1. Make a poster board frame or use a store-bought cardboard frame.

2. Use white school glue to randomly attach puzzle pieces (these can be attached showing colorful front or cardboard back).

3. Once covered with puzzle pieces, apply glue liberally over the top to further secure the pieces to the frame.

4. Attach a strip or two of magnet tape to the back to hang, then add your special photo.

Note: Many teachable moments work beautifully with this craft, such as: Teach about patience…sometimes it takes time for everything in life to work out, just like a puzzle takes time, but when it’s done, it’s beautiful.

Teach about being the best YOU possible…you’re unique, you’re special, and life isn’t complete without you.

Or…add a sweet message on the back or in a corner free of puzzle pieces: l “You’re an important piece of my life.” l “I love you to pieces.”

Note: As you’re working on this craft, grab your Bible and read James 5:7-12, which encourages us to have patience, even when it’s hard.

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CE LE BR ATE O N TH E G O

#1 8 RAINBOW ROAD TRIP Take a rainbow road trip and challenge everyone to look for things of a certain color until you seemingly exhaust the possibilities. Whenever you’re traveling with grands, name a color and listen as they find things that are the chosen color.

Here are some examples, including things they might see: Blue Red Green White Orange

a car, the sky, a sign, a pond, a truck… a stop sign, flashing lights, a car, a fire truck… grass, trees,…(this one gets tough after the obvious ones) vehicles, signs, stripes on the highway, houses, fences… the sunrise, flowers, milo in a field, a semi…

Talk about your Rainbow Road Trip. Which color was easiest to find?

Which was hardest? How many things did you find? If you’re doing a Vacation Journal (see the last idea in this section), have someone write down everything you find for each color, then try the same color another day, in another part of the country, to see if it’s easier or harder.

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This game works best on a road trip, but would be difficult on a train or plane, due to the other passengers. It’s a game that works well no matter the age of your grandchildren, and is also fun for the grandparents, and it helps everyone to become more observant of the surroundings.

ABC MARATHON The ABC Marathon is a great on the go activity. It’s great practice for memorization skills, and is doable even if you’re traveling at night.

Perhaps some of your travelers are sleeping – that’s okay. It’s best suited for older grands and adults, and might help keep the driver alert, too.

The first person thinks of a word starting with an A, and says it. The second person repeats that word then adds a word beginning with the letter B. The third person repeats both words, then adds a C word.

Sometimes, the more unique the word, the easier it is to remember.

CE L E B RATE O N THE G O

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The game continues until someone messes up or forgets a word.

Depending upon the age of participants, this can go on and on. It gets more difficult with every additional word, but it’s great for developing the ability to recall information as well as learning the sequence of the alphabet for young ones. It’s even good for those learning the beginning sounds of words.

Here’s an example: First one says Next one says Then…

aardvark aardvark, banana aardvark, banana, cash aardvark, banana, cash, domino aardvark, banana, cash, domino, egg aardvark, banana, cash, domino, egg, fruit aardvark, banana, cash, domino, egg, fruit, goldilocks aardvark, banana, cash, domino, egg, fruit, goldilocks, heaven

You get the idea. How far can you and your grands go with this ABC marathon? This is a great anytime/anywhere game and it’s fun to watch how it evolves as your grandkids get older. Enjoy!

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CE LE BR ATE ACRO S S TH E MIL E S

#73 BON APPÉTIT Send non-perishables – spaghetti noodles, a can of tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese – and provide a great meal in a box for your grands and their entire family.

Include some red and white placemats to add to the Italian theme, plus cups and napkins.

If the destination isn’t far away, you could include a fresh loaf of French bread and some garlic salt – it won’t spoil in just a few days in the mail.

In your letter, tell your grandkids they’ll have to add meat for the spaghetti, and butter for the bread since those things don’t ship well.

Encourage older grandchildren to help prepare the meal, and take pictures of the process. Perhaps they can get a family picture of their whole family at the table, enjoying the feast you provided.

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Be sure to call them afterward and let them tell you what great cooks they are.

WINTERTIME FUN A great wintertime box might include mugs, hot chocolate mix, and marshmallows.

To protect the mugs in the box, wrap them in a fleece throw, or some new warm socks.

Add a kid-friendly movie, and you’ve provided for a cozy winter evening filled with fun for the whole family.

You could also send some homemade coasters or mug rugs if you knit or crochet. Would any of your grands like to learn to knit or crochet? If so, include simple instructions and a skein or two of yarn. Tell them to give it a try, and if it’s too hard, you’ll teach them the next time you’re with them.

CE L E B RATE ACR O S S THE MIL E S

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Tell them to call you this time, after they have some wintertime fun, and tell you all about it.

Note: There are many Bible verses about winter including Proverbs 31:21, Song of Solomon 2:11, and Titus 3:12. Include scripture references in your Wintertime Fun box, and challenge your grandchildren to look them up, and to find others, if they can. Suggest they search for other wintertime words (Cold, Snow, Weather, Seasons,…) and call to tell you what they learned from the Bible.

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CE LE BR ATE I N TH E KITCH E N

#89 SHAKER SOFT SERVE You will need: l ½ cup heavy whipping cream l 1 teaspoon vanilla extract l 2½ teaspoons sugar l 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk l Sealable sandwich bag l Sealable gallon bag l 6 Tablespoons of coarse kosher salt l Ice

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Directions: 1. Put ice and kosher salt into a gallon bag.

2. Put cream, vanilla, and sugar in sandwich bag and seal.

3. Place sealed sandwich bag inside the bag of ice and salt, then seal large bag.

4. Shake the bag for ten minutes until inner bag becomes frozen/ formed.

5. Adult Task: Remove inner bag and wipe any trace of salt before opening.

6. Pour the frozen treat in a bowl to serve.

SPAGHETTI DOGS You will need: l Uncooked spaghetti l Hot dogs l Boiling water Directions: 1. Break spaghetti noodles in half.

2. Cut uncooked hot dogs in 1-inch pieces.

3. Have your grandchildren carefully poke 4-6 pieces of raw spaghetti, randomly, through the hot dog pieces.

4. Adult Task: Carefully drop the pieces in a pot of boiling water.

5. Cook until the spaghetti is done.

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Note: Just for fun, discuss the difference between the uncooked and cooked spaghetti. It’s a kid-friendly “science” lesson even your littlest ones will have fun with.

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CE L E BR ATE W ITH CO NV E RSATIO NS

#99 IT’S HYPOTHETICAL:

Randomly crazy things to make you think l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

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If you had one super-hero power, what would it be?

If you were in charge of supper tomorrow, what would we eat?

If you could trade lives with a friend, who would it be, and why?

If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?

If you had only one wish, what would you wish for?

If you could redecorate your bedroom, what would you do?

If all your clothes were the same color, which color would you choose?

If you could play only one musical instrument, what would it be?

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

If you could keep only three items in your room, what would they be?

If you could have any pet, what would you get and why? Name it.

If you could have a really fast car, what would it be?

If you got to choose your own name, what would it be?

If you could travel to any state, where would you go?

If you could travel to another country, where would you go?

If you had no fear, what would you do?

If you could meet a historical character, who would you choose and why?

If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?

If you were in a live nativity scene, what part would you play?

If you had a pen pal from another country, what country would you choose?

If you could live on the space station for a year, would you do it?

MAKE A CHOICE:

You get to decide, but you gotta tell us why l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

In the winter, would you rather be inside or outside?

Would you rather have a high IQ or be a famous inventor?

Which would you rather learn to do – skateboarding or snowskiing?

If you had to be disabled would you rather be blind or unable to walk?

Would you rather sky dive or scuba dive? Why? Do you prefer mountains or the ocean?

Would you rather be known as a star athlete or a famous musician?

Which is more fun – playing basketball or playing football?

Would you prefer to be with a friend who talks non-stop or asks questions?

Are you more apt to be in a good mood in the morning or the evening?

Do you get angrier with people or with situations?

Can you express yourself better by speaking or by writing?

Which is more fun to watch – soccer or ice-skating?

Would you rather draw a picture or color a picture?

Would you rather ride a motorcycle or in a plane? Have you done either?

Which do you prefer – sunrises or sunsets?

If you went to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, would you hike or ride a burro?

Would you rather have curly hair or straight hair?

Which is easier – jumping jacks or sit-ups?

Would you like to spend a day in the city or a day in the country?

Would you rather be known as being beautiful or being kind?

CE L E B RATE WITH CO NVE R SATIO NS

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Children grow up much too quickly, going from diapers to the driver’s seat in the blink of an eye. Because of this, grandparents must be increasingly intentional in their efforts to connect with grandchildren.

Celebrate Grandparenting equips grandparents to be significant influencers whether their grandchildren live under the same roof, down the street, or around the world.

Featuring 101 practical ideas, this book provides resources to intentionally celebrate life together, transforming fleeting moments into forever memories.

Celebrate with Crafts l Celebrate on the Go l Celebrate with Traditions Celebrate in the Great Outdoors l Celebrate Across the Miles Celebrate in the Kitchen l Celebrate with Conversations This book is exceptionally well-organized, beautifully designed, easily implemented, and on top of that, inspirational. It will give you marvelous tools to enhance your relationship with your grandchildren, and will also help you focus on being an intentional influencer in faith, morals, and ethics. This is simply the best “how to” book on Christian grandparenting that I have read!

LARRY FOWLER Founder, Legacy Coalition Elaine has written one of the few truly creative idea books for grandparents...

A must have addition to your grandparenting toolbox.

CAVIN T. HARPER Founder and President of the Christian Grandparenting Network since 1997 and author of Courageous Grandparenting Elaine’s enthusiasm for grandparenting shines through on every page of Celebrate Grandparenting. If you’re looking for user-friendly ideas for everyday memorable moments with your grandkids, this is your go-to resource! Love it!

MICHELLE MEDLOCK ADAMS Award-winning & bestselling author of more than 90 books, including Dinosaur Devotions, Platinum Faith, and What is America?

ABOUT THE A UTH O R

An award-winner writer, blogger, speaker, and columnist, Elaine McAllister lives in Central Kansas with her husband, near their grown children and five simply amazing grandchildren. She passionately embraces her role as a grandma, and encourages others to intentionally celebrate grandparenting every day.

When not enjoying time with family and friends, Elaine leads Bible studies, writes, gardens, and travels. Follow her at elainemcallister.com for more on grandparenting and life.