It’s hard to imagine a lovelier relationship on earth than between a grandparent and their grandchild. I’ve heard more than a few folks describe grandparenthood as “a reward for all the hard years put in as parents.”

While I don’t know what it’s like to BE a grandparent (yet, as my oldest child is 10), I have experienced the joy of being a grandchild. I’ve also experienced the delight of watching my own kids savor time with their grandmothers and grandfathers. 

The best memories with my own grandparents were the simple ones: grandma teaching me to play jacks, telling me stories of my parents when they were kids. I’ll always remember my grandfather telling jokes, grandma recounting stories of growing up in Brooklyn, and how her eyes sparkled when she laughed and said, “God love ya!” Sleepovers with cousins in her tiny living room will be some of my fondest memories. 

As I watch my kids bond with their own grandparents, I’ve observed some beautiful ways they have bonded. Interestingly, just like in my own childhood, my kids’ favorite memories with their grandparents are in the simple stuff. Here are some ways they’ve solidified their relationships, and ideas simple enough for any grandparents to do with their grandchild.