Date : September 30, 2022
Celebrating Grandparents Day in October 2022
Grandparents Day 2022 is coming up on Sunday 30th October, and what better way to celebrate all the amazing things grandparents do than with a craft that grandparents and grandkids can do together?
Grandparents Day is a special occasion celebrating grandparents, usually celebrated on the last Sunday of October. In Australia, it’s celebrated this year on Sunday 30th October 2022. Grandparents Day originated in Queensland in 2010 but has proven so popular that it is now celebrated around the world – albeit on different dates in October. The date gives grandkids a chance to celebrate all the amazing things grandparents do – the love, attention, and effort they expend on their beloved grandkids – as well as acknowledging older members of a family or community who take on the role of a grandparent. If you’re looking for something special to do with your grandparents this Grandparents Day, we’ve come up with a few fun activities for you to do together. There’s something for everyone!
What makes grandparents so special?
The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is special. The love is unconditional, they provide a unique perspective as well as fun and interesting stories that help connect children to their family history, and they offer stability. All things worthy of celebration!
Unconditional love
Grandparents offer unconditional love like parents do. They help a child to feel safe and secure. From a grandparents’ point of view, having grandchildren often means that people live longer lives. A child’s perspective of what constitutes a normal, healthy relationship is shaped by the one they hold with a grandparent. Through regular contact, unwavering support, and a sense of emotional closeness, children can experience what a true positive relationship looks like.
Experience and perspective
Grandparents offer a unique perspective their grandkids may not have considered before. They teach family history, tradition, and culture. Sharing these stories helps children connect to their family, and it offers a glimpse into a past they’ve never seen before.
Stability
The last couple of years have been quite traumatic when it comes to the amount of change and uncertainty we’ve been experiencing – and grandparents offer the stability needed to help ground their grandkids and show them they belong. Grandparents provide an extra layer of support to their grandchildren, and offer an extra ear when kids need someone to talk to. Studies have shown that when teenagers have a close relationship with their grandparents, it can result in less behavioural and emotional problems and a lower risk of depression.
Adventure
Grandparents can open up a world of adventure and exploration to their grandkids. When grandparents get to know the interests of their grandkids, they can take them to museum exhibits that interest them, to plays or musicals, to playgrounds they’ve not yet discovered, to the zoo – anywhere their heart desires! Because kids associate their grandparents with fun, it can be doubly exciting.
What can we do for Grandparents Day?
Check out these fun ideas to help you celebrate this Grandparents Day!
Sharing and making a family recipe
Sharing an old family recipe and making the recipe together is a fantastic way to celebrate Grandparents Day! A little bit of family history, a little bit of baking fun!
Interviewing grandparents
Asking your grandparents questions about their lives, their parents’ lives, and what it was like to grow up when they did can be fascinating. It can also offer a unique perspective on your family. You could also use this information to create a family tree together.
Making a card
Make a card for your grandparent, and either give it to them in person or send it through the post as a surprise! Alternatively, make a card together.
Giving back
Children can create a little coupon booklet of things they can do for their grandparents – small things they think will make their grandparents happy, like drawing a picture, helping them wash the dishes, making them a cup of tea, or helping with the sweeping.
For more excellent craft ideas, check out May Gibbs!
Librarian Bec
Right now, Librarian Bec’s hard at work at your local library, sharing a passion for reading with little people and big. Bec writes about inspiring little readers and embracing lovely literature.
