Annie Cole, a money coach and founder at Money Essentials for Women , says spoiling your grandchildren starts with brainstorming experiences you can have together.
“Where can you take your child for free (or low cost) to see something they don’t normally see? For example, can you walk down a street of shops and look at the window displays? Take a walk through a community garden while pointing out the different plant species along the way. Walk by the ducks at the local pond? These memories tend to stick with kids for years to come.”
Julie Beckham serves as the Financial Education Officer at Rockland Trust , and points out that you have endless free options to get outside with your grandchildren. “Take advantage of warm weather with visits to the community pool or local beach. You can even wrap up the day with an ice cream trip for a few dollars if you like.”
Your grandkids don’t need expensive Legos to have fun creating things.
“Even in the age of never-ending screen time, you may be surprised at how much young kids still enjoy getting to be creative and hands-on,” says Beckham. “Whether this includes teaching them how to make a craft or bake a family recipe, these all can be low-cost activities that will be sure to keep them entertained.”
Cole expands on that idea: “What can you build or create together with your grandkids? This can range from something you’re already making (like cookies for tonight’s dessert) or something creative. Buy a bag of pipe cleaners, glue, and craft paper and let the kids’ minds run wild with ideas!”
Just remember to let the grandkids lick the bowl if you bake something together. That’s always the best part.
3. Go to a Park, Playground, or Picnic
Kids love spending time outside. Chris Urban, CFP and founder of Discover Wealth Planning , urges retirees on a fixed income to simply get the grandkids to the great outdoors.
“One way for grandparents to spoil their grandchildren is to take them out to parks and playgrounds. Younger children enjoy a simple playground while older children might enjoy exploring national parks and bigger outdoor spaces that might not cost much (if anything) to visit.”
Extend your time together out of the house by bringing a picnic lunch or dinner. You can make it at home — and perhaps bring that homemade dessert you made with your grandkids earlier.
4. Take Them Out to Inexpensive Meals
If you do feel like taking your grandchildren out to eat, you can do it on a minimal budget .
“Most younger children don’t have the most sophisticated palate, so an inexpensive or fast food type of place is often perfect,” adds Urban.
5. Host “Grandparent Camp”
Erika Kullberg, founder of personal finance website Erika.com , proposes getting all the grandkids together.
“One of the trends I’m loving on social media right now is ‘grandparent camp.’ The concept is so simple, but so sweet and memorable. Essentially, grandparents invite all the grandkids over for a cousin’s sleepover. Mom and dad will be grateful for a quiet night away from the kids, the cousins get a chance to bond, and grandma and grandpa get to make some magical memories.”
If you want to keep the kids occupied outside the house:
Try creating a scavenger hunt for them.
Come up with plenty of twisty, tricky clues to keep them running all over the yard or neighborhood looking for the next clue.
Put some cheap candy at the end for the prize.
6. Show Up for Them
Your grandkids don’t need another toy. They need to know that you care about them, and take an interest in what matters to them.
“Showing up for your grandkids is huge,” notes Kullberg. “They will be so happy to see you in the crowd at their baseball game or dance recital. Again, grandma showing up is what will matter more to them decades from now than if she brought a suitcase full of toys with her.”
7. Go to the Library
Libraries today offer far more than books. They offer computers with kids games and learning tools, jigsaw puzzles, movies, group readings of children’s books, and community events.
You can spend hours with them at the library — and then take home even more entertainment for later.
8. Help Them Find Scholarships & Grants
While many of the ideas above focus on entertaining and creating memories with young children, your older grandchildren also need you.
Just because you can’t write a check to pay their tuition doesn’t mean you can’t help them cover college costs. As a retiree , you have the time to sit down with them and help them research every scholarship and grant available, no matter how obscure. Start your search at Scholarships.com and The College Board to help your grandkids afford college without student loans.
In fact, Jack Schacht of My College Planning Team notes that giving your grandkids money can hurt their chances of getting aid. “A monetary gift to your grandchild may result in a tax event on your end or interfere with financial aid eligibility on theirs.”
Final Thoughts
Your time matters more to your grandchildren than expensive gadgets or games.
“Believe it or not, young grandkids often just want to spend time with you,” adds Beckham. “And what might you have more of than their parents? Free time.
“Spend that time, not money, freely with your grandchildren.”
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