Your home is a magical place. Believe it or not, it’s a wonderful world to explore. No need to buy anything or do lots of planning. You already own plenty of stuff to share with your grandkids! So, how do I know that kids would enjoy a magical house tour? Because my granddaughter told me, of course!
Our first tour began during one of our video chats. All of sudden, my granddaughter noticed something on the wall. It was a colorful, framed print. She asked, ‘How did you get it? Who made it? What is it about?’ Before I knew it, we were walking around the house. With cell phone in hand, we made several stops. Some she chose, others were my suggestion. Along the way she was full of questions. All in all, it was a hoot!
This activity became a special experience for the two of us. Because actual visits aren’t possible right now, it’s helped her feel a part of my life. Can you think of better magic than that?
The Magic Starts at Home: Make It Yours!
Tips for younger grandkids
- What kind of things does your grandchild enjoy? Keep in mind age and attention span.
- Go on a home tour yourself. Check out spaces big or small. In particular, look for colorful objects, large enough for video viewing. Movable parts are a plus! For example look for: tools, craft supplies or collections of any kind.
- When on your video tour, try to keep it short and keep an eye out for touring fatigue.
- Involve your grandchild throughout the tour. Ask questions such as: What color is this? Which of these is bigger? What do you think this is for?
Tips for older grandkids
- Identify your grandchild’s interests. That’s always good starting point.
- Consider showing rooms where you work or do hobbies. Rather than a focus on objects, you can talk about how you use the space.
- Do you still have some of their parent’s old toys or electronics? Kids love to learn about their parent’s childhood things.
- And speaking of older items, kids are fascinated with the way everyday objects looked years ago, such as phones (dial phone, anyone?), cameras (what’s film?) or clocks.
Happy touring and let us know what magic you discover!