When it comes to our grandkids, there’s no limit to the love and creativity we pour into every moment. From spontaneous adventures to personalized bedtime stories, the things we do for our grandkids aren’t just gestures—they’re lifelong memories in the making.
As grandparents, we often go the extra mile to make them smile, feel special, and know they’re deeply loved.
These acts don’t have to be grand or costly—they’re unique because they come from the heart.
What are your secrets to success as a grandparent?
We’re all different and special in some ways, but there are some traits that many of us have in common, and they are worth affirming.
And I hope a lot of parents are also reading this, because your children’s grandparents have some advantages because of the role they play in your kids’ lives.
Why We Do It
We do it because we love them—plain and simple.
These little people light up our lives, and in return, we find joy in creating moments that matter. Whether it’s building a fort, baking a favorite cookie, or crafting a handmade gift, the unique things we do for our grandkids help strengthen our bond, build trust, and pass down cherished traditions.
Beyond just love, these acts are our way of nurturing character, sharing wisdom, and providing a stable emotional foundation.
They are also fun and keep us feeling young, joyful, and inspired.
Grandparents can do things for a child that no one else can really do—and that’s good.
Grandparents offer a special bond with our heritage, connecting our children to the past.
Plus, from a practical point of view, we bring unique insights and experiences to our grandchildren’s lives.
For one thing, we are more objective.
If you attend any youth sporting event, you’ll notice how parents invest a lot of their ego into their child’s performance. This can be a double-edged sword for the child. We’ve all seen parents overreact and criticize their kids, or take a referee’s call on their child personally. In those situations, they’re not always emotionally ready to simply accept their children for who they are.
But as grandparents, we’ve learned from experience that children bounce back from setbacks, and that a game is just a game. We can support our children winning or losing. We’re just happy to be there, cheering on our greatest grandchildren.
That objectivity can come in handy sometimes. When our kids were young, my dad suggested that my son might have a cross bite, which was causing slurred speech. In the midst of raising five kids, we hadn’t really noticed it, but the doctor confirmed what my dad had said, and we took steps to fix the problem.
As grandparents we also have a relaxed temperament.
This can be a big benefit to families. Many parents are consumed by pressures at work, providing for the family, and a long list of other responsibilities.
But most of us grandparents have been through all that. We’ve learned that net worth and cash flow concerns have to be kept in proper perspective, and that we gain our true worth and value from other sources—like keeping us young at heart and other meaningful relationships. And we’re determined not to miss out on the joys that grandchildren bring into our lives.
Unique Things We Do for Our Grandkids: A Loving List
- Personalized Storytelling
We make up bedtime stories where they are the heroes—magical tales tailored to their dreams and personalities. - Secret Handshakes
We create fun, silly handshakes only we share—it’s our little thing that builds a sense of closeness and fun. - Handwritten Letters and Notes
A note in their lunchbox, a card in the mail, or a holiday letter just for them makes them feel so special and remembered. - Memory Jars
We help them write down special memories or accomplishments, then save them in a decorated jar to reflect on later. - Cooking Family Recipes Together
Sharing secret family recipes and cooking side-by-side bonds generations and creates delicious, hands-on learning. - DIY Craft Days
Whether it’s finger painting or building with popsicle sticks, crafting allows us to be creative and messy—together. - Special Grandkid Days
We set aside one-on-one time just for them. No phones, no distractions—just us and our favorite activities like museum visits or movie nights. - Teaching Life Skills With Love
From gardening to knitting to fixing a squeaky door, we patiently pass down skills in a way that’s full of encouragement. - Technology Time
Believe it or not, we learn new tech just so we can text emojis, play online games, or video chat regularly with them. Some even teach us how to use tablets and apps—we learn together! - Holiday Traditions We Create Together
From decorating cookies to building snow forts, we invent traditions they’ll carry forward with their own families. - Treasure Hunts at Home
We leave little notes or trinkets for them to find—turning an ordinary afternoon into an adventure. - Making Scrapbooks or Photo Albums
Capturing memories together helps them see how much they matter in our lives. We involve them in choosing photos and writing captions. - Story Time from the Past
We share stories from our childhood or their parents’ childhood—stories that spark curiosity, laughter, and connection. - Sleepovers with Themes
We create fun overnight stays complete with a theme—like pirate night, pajama party, or movie marathon. - Building a Garden Together
We let them dig, plant, and water while we teach patience, nature, and nurturing.
Our Role as Role Models: Unique Things We Do for Our Grandkids
Have you ever thought about how we, as grandparents, are also important role models for our grandkids?
Parents, of course, are essential role models in a child’s life. However, sometimes, parents are too close for children to view them as such.
With daily struggles over eating peas, doing homework, or helping in the kitchen, it can be hard for kids to see their parents as positive role models.
But as grandparents, we have a unique position. We’re not involved in those daily battles, and our grandkids often see us as examples of who they might become someday.
They’re looking at us for inspiration, wondering, “What are men and women really like?” or “What will I be like when I’m older?”
In many ways, the unique things we do for our grandkids shape their understanding of adulthood and relationships.
Helping Shape Their View of Relationships
Our role extends beyond just showing them how to have fun. The unique things we do for our grandkids also help complete their understanding of relationships and marriage.
When they’re young, the idea of meaningful relationships might seem far-fetched.
Boys are busy running and jumping, while girls are playing dress-up. But as grandparents, we have the opportunity to help them see that relationships matter.
Granddads can show their granddaughters that men can be gentle, caring, and interested in things that matter to them, like dolls and tea parties.
Meanwhile, grandmas who toss a whiffle ball to their grandsons affirm their boyhood experiences and help them feel confident in their role as boys.
Through these simple, unique things we do for our grandkids, we are providing them with lasting examples of healthy relationships and how men and women can care for one another.
The Importance of Modeling Behavior
Our grandkids are always watching. Whether it’s how we handle difficult situations, how we communicate with others, or how we show affection, our actions leave a lasting impact.
The unique things we do for our grandkids are never just about fun moments; they teach valuable lessons on kindness, respect, patience, and love.
For example, when we model respect for our spouse, children, or friends, our grandkids learn how to treat others with kindness. When we show resilience through tough times, we demonstrate the importance of perseverance.
Our role as role models extends far beyond just being fun and loving grandparents—it’s about showing them the kind of person they should strive to be.
Passing Down Values Through the Unique Things We Do for Our Grandkids
As grandparents, we have this special, almost magical way of connecting with our grandkids—one that allows us to pass down important values and life lessons in a way that’s different from the usual parent-child dynamic.
Let’s face it, the day-to-day struggles between parents and kids—like convincing them to clean their plates or follow the rules—sometimes make it hard to get to the heart of things.
But with us, there’s no pressure, just time to listen and share.
When we spend time with our grandkids, they feel comfortable being themselves, and it opens the door to conversations that might not happen elsewhere.
They might ask sweet, thoughtful questions like, “Grandpa, when Mommy was my age, was she like me?” or “Did she have to clean up her plate?” Or they might wonder about life’s bigger questions, like, “Why did Aunt Julie get a divorce?”
In those quiet moments, the unique things we do for our grandkids—our listening ear, our calm advice, and the wisdom we share—help them make sense of their world.
These little moments are so important, and parents often notice how much their children learn from us. They see the positive impact our involvement has and encourage it, because they know that the unique things we do for our grandkids are shaping them in ways that last a lifetime.
We may not always realize it, but the unique things we do for our grandkids have a lasting influence on their lives. As grandparents, we provide valuable lessons that can shape their futures.
Whether it’s showing them the value of a meaningful relationship, teaching them life skills, or simply being there to listen, we are making a lasting impact.
Our role as role models is as essential as any other, and it’s something we should embrace with pride and love.
Recommended Books on Amazon:
- Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation by Larry E. McCall
Anyone who wants to motivate grandchildren with more than just words — with grace-filled living. - Grandparenting: Strengthening Your Family and Passing on Your Faith by Josh Mulvihill
Grandparents who want to move beyond being just a supportive figure and become intentional motivators and faith leaders,
3. Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations
This book serves as a compassionate guide for grandparents seeking to understand and embrace their evolving roles within the family.
