Summer is the perfect season for memory-making, and there’s nothing quite like sharing those sunny moments with the grandkids. Whether they’re visiting for a day or staying for a week, spending time together across generations is a gift.
At Primrose Retirement Communities, we know how meaningful these moments are, so let’s look at some fun activities to do with the grandkids this summer. Whether it’s raining or sunny, hot or cold, they will make not only their faces light up, but yours as well!
Plan a Backyard Picnic (With a Twist!)
Take lunch outside and pack easy-to-eat finger foods like sandwiches, fruits and veggies, crackers & snacks, and some cool drinks. Add a twist by making it a themed picnic – pirate day, fairy tale lunch, or even “grandparents and me” tea time! You could even make fun names for you foods to fit your theme. For example:
Pirate Day:
Sandwiches
- Captain’s Catch- Tuna or chicken salad sandwiches
- Blackbeard’s Treasure Bites- Mini PB&J sandwiches cut into pirate-themed shapes. Check out these cookie-cutter shapes on Amazon!
- Sailor’s Stack- Turkey and cheese sandwiches
Fruits
- Sea Monster Teeth- Apple slices
- Cannonball Berries- Blueberries and Blackberries
- Mermaid Pearls- Melon Balls (honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon)
Crackers & Snacks
- Sea Biscuit Bites- Mini cheese crackers
- Jolly Roger Gold- Cheddar popcorn
- Shark Bait Mix- Trail mix with nuts, raisins, and pretzels
Drinks
- Pirate Punch- Fruit punch or a tropical juice blend
- Mermaid Mist- Sparkling fruit flavored pop (Sprite, Orange Crush, etc.)
- High Seas Lemonade- Classic lemonade with a twist! Add some floating “gold coins” (lemon slices)
Fairy Tale Day:
Sandwiches
- Robin Hood’s Wrap- Wrap sandwiches (turkey or ham with cheese rolled in a tortilla and sliced)
- The Three Bears’ PB&J- Classic PB&J, one for Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear
- Jack’s Beanstalk Stack – Tall turkey or ham with cheese sandwich (cut into slices!)
Fruits
- Snow White’s Apple Slices – Red Apple Wedges
- Little Red’s Berry Basket – Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries
- Tangled Grapevines- Long vines of grapes (referencing Rapunzel)
Crackers & Snacks
- Hansel & Gretel’s Cracker Cottage- Graham crackers or buttery crackers
- Goldilocks’ Golden Puffs- Chedder cheese balls or popcorn
- The Big Bad Snack Mix- Trail mix with pretzels, raisins, and little “surprises” (like mini marshmallows or chocolate chips)
Drinks
- Sleeping Beauty’s Rose Punch- Pink Lemonade
- The Little Mermaid’s Ocean- Blue raspberry or tropical punch
- Rapunzel’s Golden Glow- Orange or mango juice
Get Creative with Arts & Crafts
Set up a little art station with paints, colored pencils, or even nature- based materials like leaves and flowers. Crafts like:
- Decorating Flowerpots. Check out this step-by-step guide on Pinterest!
- Painting Birdhouses
- Make a scrapbook of leaves and flowers you found on a walk. Here’s a super easy way to press your flowers with only a microwave, paper towels, and 2 plates on Pinterest!
- Making Memory Books
Bonus idea: Create a “family tree” together- grandkids love hearing stories about their family history and get to learn more about them too!
Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Whether it’s around your home or in a nearby park, a scavenger hunt can be a great adventure! Create a list of things to find like:
Inside your home:
- A photo with smiling faces
- A rocking chair
- A book with a red cover
- A clock
- A pair of reading glasses
- A blanket
- And add items that are special to you!
Outside your home:
- A leaf that has three points
- A smooth rock
- A red flower
- A squirrel
- A bird
- A blue house
- A Stop Sign
Share a Favorite Hobby Together
Grandkids love learning what their grandparents love. Do you knit? Play cards? Bake cookies? Sharing your favorite hobby can be incredibly meaningful, and often sparks new interests in them too! Who knows, maybe your favorite hobby will be their new one! Consider getting them a book on the step-by-step processes for knitting if you’re trying to teach them. That way, when they go back home, they can continue to learn! Here’s a great book for learning how to knit for kids from 3rd grade and up on Amazon!
Movie Night, Story Time, or Both!
Have a simple movie night with popcorn and blankets, or read a favorite storybook. Even older grandkids appreciate a little downtime after a day in the sun. Consider showing them your childhood favorite books or movies, or read/watch theirs!
Attend a Community Event Together
Attending an event with your friends is a great way for you to introduce your grandkids to them and for them to learn more about where you live! Check your local summer event calendar- there might be a concert, ice cream social, game day or other events designed to be fun for all ages!
Cherish the Small Moments
At the end of the day, what your grandkids will remember most is how you made them feel-loved, included, and important. Whether it’s a walk, board games, or silly dances, the little things often meant the most.
So, here’s to warm days, full hearts, and making this summer one to remember- together!
Looking for more ways to enjoy summer with family?
Ask our team about guest-friendly activities and how we make visits easy and memorable for residents and their loved ones!
To learn more about Primrose, just go to https://www.primroseretirement.com/