Retirement is the perfect opportunity for grandparents to deepen bonds and create lasting memories with their grandkids. How you spend your time with your grandchildren, however, will depend on how close you live to them, their ages and how they like to spend their time.

Keep reading to explore a variety of engaging and enriching activities that grandparents and grandchildren of all ages can enjoy.

Share a skill or hobby

Retirement is a great time to explore old hobbies and pursue new interests. It’s also a great opportunity to share these activities with grandchildren. Whether it’s cooking and sewing or woodworking and golfing, making time to share experiences with your grandchildren is a good way to create memories and strengthen relationships. Similarly, be open to learning some of your grandkids’ favorite activities as well! From building Legos and playing sports to learning how to engage on social media channels, your grandkids will always look back and remember how their grandparents took the time to enjoy their interests.

Volunteer together

A great way to spend quality time with your grandkids is to involve them in community service projects. When you support local charities, animal shelters or environmental initiatives, you can demonstrate the importance of giving back while making a difference together. Throughout the year, the City of Geneva offers various volunteer opportunities to lend a helping hand in sprucing up our community.

Share family history and photos

Make sure you take time to share special memories and old family photos with your grandkids. Grandchildren of all ages will appreciate listening to stories from your childhood and the hobbies or activities you used to enjoy.

Get a lesson in technology

Today’s younger generation is immersed in technology. Allow your grandkids to help you understand their favorite apps, game or social media sites. If your grandchildren live far away, use technology to communicate from afar. A video call is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your grandkids on a regular basis.

Explore the outdoors

Get outside with your grandkids as much as possible. Take your younger grandchildren to one of Geneva’s many parks or playgrounds. Explore nearby nature trails, such as the Fox River Trail, or check out some of Geneve’s summer events. There’s never a shortage of things to do in Geneva. These shared experiences will stick with your grandkids for years to come.

Retirement presents a unique opportunity for grandparents to play an influential role in the lives of grandkids. By engaging in enriching activities together, grandparents can create a lasting impact on their grandchildren’s development, values and passions while nurturing a bond that will last a lifetime.