From seated crafts and easy bakes to outdoor picnics, explore meaningful activities that bring grandparents and grandchildren together regardless of mobility levels.
The Top Things To Do With Grandkids
There’s nothing like the joy of watching your grandchildren grow up. Spending time together lets you create precious memories while giving you the perfect opportunity to share your family history and strengthen your bond.
However, it’s no secret that children are bundles of energy, which can feel overwhelming if you struggle with limited mobility. The good news is, there are plenty of things to do with grandkids that can be adapted for all.
Here are some ways to connect with your grandchildren, whether you’re looking for activities that require minimal movement or more involved ways to pass the time.
With 60% of people considering multigenerational living arrangements, grandparents are now spending more time with their grandchildren. You might not realise that spending quality time together offers a surprising number of benefits for your mental and physical health.
Here are some of the ways that bonding with your grandkids can help you:
Regular interaction with your grandchildren is one of the easiest ways to maintain your social life and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can unfortunately become more common as we get older.
The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is special because it comes with far less pressure than traditional parent-child relationships, meaning you can enjoy more relaxed, playful interactions. This unique dynamic provides emotional benefits for both generations while letting you pass on your skills, wisdom, and life experiences with eager young minds.
When you spend time with energetic grandchildren, you’ll naturally move more throughout the day. Even gentle activities like crafting and playing board games keep you more physically active through subtle movements that won’t lead to injuring yourself. This increased activity helps maintain your flexibility, coordination, and overall health, while the joy of play makes exercising feel less like a chore and more like time well spent.
Spending an afternoon with your grandchildren is excellent for keeping your mind active, which can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with health concerns like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Learning new things from your grandchildren – whether it’s understanding the latest technology or picking up new games – provides vital mental stimulation. Plus, the challenge of problem-solving during activities and adapting to your grandkids’ ever-changing interests helps keep your mind sharp and engaged.
Enjoying regular bonding time with your grandchildren creates a sense of community and belonging within your family. These moments provide the perfect opportunity to share precious memories from your younger years, pass down family stories, and create new experiences together.
This gives you and your grandchildren the chance to connect over your family history while building a support network that helps working parents save on childcare costs and lets your grandchildren grow up feeling secure and surrounded by loved ones.
Making your home suitable for activities with grandchildren of all ages is crucial, especially if you’ll be spending regular time together or if much younger children will be visiting.
Creating accessible activity zones in different rooms means you can spend time together anywhere in your home. Many families who live together choose to designate specific areas for various activities; think having a dedicated craft corner in the living room or a reading nook by the window. You’ll also need to think about your lighting carefully and choose bright, overhead options like a ceiling bulb or a tall floor-standing lamp – especially for activities like crafting where scissors or other tools are being used – and make sure you have comfortable seating for you and your grandchildren. If keeping up with kids moving between floors is a concern, a Stiltz Home Lift can safely open up your entire home for activities, meaning you’re not restricted to just one room when spending time with your grandchildren.
Having basic supplies already available at home makes spontaneous fun much easier. Stock up on essential craft materials like:
Plus, it’s worth keeping a selection of age-appropriate games and books on hand. Creating pre-packed activity kits for different age groups means you’re always ready for unexpected babysitting visits. These might include everything you need for specific crafts, travel-sized games, or themed books that can be easily transported to wherever you’re most comfortable spending time together.
There are approximately 4.86 million older adults in the UK who rely on a wheelchair to get around, with 5% of elderly adults reporting that they struggle with standing and walking across a room. If this applies to you, you might be worried about keeping up with grandchildren who seem to never stay still. The good news is, there are plenty of excellent activities to help you spend quality time with your grandchildren without needing to be on your feet. Here are some of our favourites:
Mobility level: Low – Perfect for comfortable seating, minimal movement required Age suitability: 3-16+ – Simple cutting/glueing for young ones, complex origami/scrapbooking for older children Equipment requirements: Basic – Paper, scissors, glue, crayons/markers, magazines for collages Paper crafts are a great way to spend time with grandkids of all ages, combining socialisation with creativity. Scrapbooking is particularly special as it lets you share memories and family experiences while you create something. For example, you might choose to create photo albums while telling stories about the pictures. On the other hand, origami teaches your grandkids patience and how to follow instructions, while simple sticker and colouring books work perfectly for younger children.
Mobility level: Low – Entirely seated activity Age suitability: 4-16+ – Simple games like Snakes & Ladders for young children, strategy games for teens Equipment requirements: Basic – Games/puzzles, comfortable seating, good lighting Board games and puzzles are fantastic for intergenerational bonding. Playing a board game requires you to think about your next move, helping you maintain your mental sharpness. This is particularly important for older adults who may be concerned about developing conditions like dementia. You might want to start with classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or simple card games that can be adapted for different skill levels. Jigsaw puzzles are another great option that encourages problem-solving and can be worked on across several visits, creating an ongoing project that grandchildren look forward to continuing.
Mobility level: Low – Comfortable seated or lying position Age suitability: 2-12 – Picture books for toddlers, chapter books for older children Equipment requirements: Minimal – Books, comfortable seating, good lighting Reading together creates magical bonding moments while supporting your grandchildren’s literacy development. While standard books are great, why not look for books with interactive elements like touchable panels, scratch-and-sniff features, or pop-ups? These tactile features are just as beneficial for older adults as they are for young children, keeping your senses active and aware.
If you’re able to spend some time on your feet, there are a wide range of activities to help you bond with your grandchildren.
Mobility level: Moderate – Standing at the counter, some movement around the kitchen Age suitability: 4-16+ – Decorating cookies for young ones, full recipes for older children Equipment requirements: Basic – Kitchen access, basic baking ingredients, mixing bowls, measuring tools Baking not only lets you create delicious snacks to enjoy together but also lets you teach your grandkids valuable life skills. Focus on simple recipes children will enjoy making and eating; think decorating biscuits, fairy cakes, or even no-bake treats like chocolate cornflake cakes. If you’re managing a physical condition like Arthritis or Parkinson’s, you might want to avoid recipes that require kneading or intricate hand movements. Instead, choose easy activities like mixing batters with a whisk and decorating with icing.
Mobility level: Moderate – Dancing requires movement, instruments can be seated Age suitability: 2-16+ – Simple songs and rhythm for toddlers, instrument learning for all ages Equipment requirements: Basic – Simple instruments (shakers, keyboard), music player, space for movement Music is a fantastic way to bond with younger generations. Whether you’re teaching your grandchildren songs from your youth or letting them introduce you to their favourite tunes, taking part in musical activities is excellent fun for all involved. Try playing simple instruments like shakers, tambourines, or a keyboard for learning basic melodies, or spend some time teaching your grandkids to play the guitar (or vice-versa!). If instruments aren’t your strong suit, karaoke sessions can be fun for older children, while younger ones might enjoy singing nursery rhyme songs with simple hand movements. Don’t worry about being perfect: the fun is making music together, not putting on a flawless performance.
Mobility level: Moderate – Gentle movement, can be adapted for seated play Age suitability: 4-14 – Simple bowling for young children, modified games for teens Equipment requirements: Basic – Soft balls, plastic bottles for bowling, bean bags, safe indoor space Staying physically active becomes far more critical as we age, and friendly competition with the grandchildren makes your weekly exercise enjoyable rather than routine. If you’re looking for something that works year-round, create indoor bowling using empty plastic bottles and soft balls, or if the weather’s cooperating, you might prefer to set up gentle badminton in the garden, or try a quick game of football. Bean bag tosses also work well for all abilities and can be played sitting or standing. Remember, the goal isn’t an intense workout but rather gentle movement, laughter, and spending quality time together while encouraging everyone to stay active.
You might not always be able to get out and about – whether it’s because of wet weather or health conditions that make leaving the house more difficult. Luckily, there are lots of ways to pass the time indoors that will keep both you and your grandchildren entertained.
Mobility level: Moderate – Walking around the house, can be limited to a single room/floor Age suitability: 4-14 – Picture clues for non-readers, written riddles for older children Equipment requirements: Minimal – Paper for clues, small prizes/treats, existing household items Indoor treasure hunts are ideal for rainy days and can be adapted to use as much or as little of your home as you’re comfortable with. You might choose to create a quick 10-minute hunt around the living room or a more elaborate adventure that takes an hour to complete and incorporates multiple rooms. For younger children, why not use picture clues or simple instructions like “find something red in the kitchen”? Or, if you’re planning a treasure hunt for older children, this can involve solving riddles or following map-style directions.
Mobility level: Low – Table-based activity, minimal movement Age suitability: 5-12 – Adult supervision needed for younger children with ingredients Equipment requirements: Basic – Glue, contact lens solution/liquid starch, food colouring, mixing bowls Slime has become incredibly popular with younger children in the last few years, and while it might not sound appealing, it can be surprisingly therapeutic for adults, too. You can either make slime together with the grandkids (which becomes an activity in itself) or buy ready-made versions to play with. The sensory experience of squishing and stretching slime can be beneficial for those dealing with conditions like Alzheimer’s, as the tactile stimulation helps focus your mind and provides a calming effect. Plus, if you’re looking for an alternative with less mess, why not try Play-Doh or kinetic sand?
Mobility level: Moderate – Some bending/stretching to arrange furniture and bedding Age suitability: 3-14 – Simple arrangements for young ones, elaborate designs for older children Equipment requirements: Minimal – Duvets/blankets, chairs/furniture for support, cushions The timeless art of building a pillow fort never gets old and can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Create a cosy reading den under the kitchen table, or transform the living room into a fortress using chairs, blankets, and cushions. Once your fort is complete, it becomes the perfect space for other activities – like reading stories, playing card games, or simply talking about life. The process of building together teaches problem-solving and creative thinking while creating a special space that you can both enjoy.
Mobility level: Low – Comfortable seated position with device Age suitability: 6-16+ – Simple games/videos for younger ones, learning apps for teens Equipment requirements: Basic – Tablet/computer/smartphone, internet connection, comfortable seating While many people assume older adults and technology don’t mix, this simply isn’t true – and it can be a great way to bond with grandchildren of all ages. Let your grandchildren become the teachers for once, showing you how their favourite online games work or introducing you to popular YouTube channels. You might surprise yourself and discover you enjoy playing simple tablet games together, watching educational videos about topics that interest you both, or even learning to video call other family members.
If you have grandchildren who love the great outdoors, there are many ways to get some fresh air and gentle exercise together.
Mobility level: High – Requires sustained walking ability Age suitability: 3-16+ – Short distances for young children, longer walks for older ones Equipment requirements: Minimal – Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, optional walking aid There’s something magical about exploring the world at a child’s pace. A simple stroll to the park becomes an adventure when you see it through their eyes; pointing out colourful flowers, listening to different bird songs, or making up stories about the houses you pass. While you’ll need to be fairly comfortable on your feet, there’s no need to worry if you can take things slowly or use a walking stick – children are usually naturally curious and happy to stop regularly to examine a leaf they find interesting or watch squirrels.
Mobility level: Moderate – Walking to location, sitting on ground/benches Age suitability: 2-16+ – All ages enjoy outdoor eating and games Equipment requirements: Basic – Picnic blanket, packed food, drinks, outdoor games, weather protection Even a simple sandwich tastes better when you’re eating it outdoors! Whether it’s your back garden or a nearby park, picnics feel special at any age. Pack finger foods that are easy to eat – imagine sandwiches, sliced fruit, and maybe some biscuits for a treat. Don’t forget a flask of tea for yourself while the grandkids have their squash. If you struggle with sitting on the ground, most parks have benches or picnic tables you can use, and there’s no shame in bringing a cushion for extra comfort.
Mobility level: High – Extensive walking, standing in queues Age suitability: 3-16+ – Varies by venue – zoos suitable for all ages, theme parks for older children Equipment requirements: Extensive – Transportation, entrance fees, food money, weather gear, comfortable shoes Sometimes it’s worth making the extra effort for a special day out that creates lasting memories. Zoos are brilliant because there’s always somewhere to sit and rest while watching the animals, and most have cafés where you can recharge with a cup of tea. Many museums now have interactive areas specifically designed for families, and you’ll usually find they offer discounts for seniors. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more adventurous way to bond with older grandchildren, theme parks can be a great option – even if you don’t feel comfortable going on every ride!
Spending quality time with your grandchildren is possible at any mobility level, whether you’re crafting at the kitchen table or exploring the garden together. Making sure you can move comfortably around your home means you’re never limited to just one room for activities. Our Stiltz Home Lifts – including the standard Duo and wheelchair-friendly Trio model – help you make the most of your entire home. Get in touch today for more information, or take a look at our blog for tips on ageing in the home you know and love.
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