Visiting grandparents, whether at home or in a care community, can sometimes feel awkward, especially for young visitors. Their differing experiences, interests, and communication styles often mean that kids worry about what to say, especially if grandparents have memory or hearing difficulties.
The team at Aria Care have put together this guide full of simple activities, prompts, and shared stories to help children and teens connect and create memories with their grandparents when they go to visit.
Toddlers (1–4 years)
This age group can be especially tricky—little ones often have short attention spans and find it hard to sit still! Mix that with a nanny or grandad who may have memory, hearing, sight, or concentration difficulties and visiting can sometimes feel like a mini adventure. The good news? It doesn’t take much to spark their curiosity and get them engaged – we find sensory based play and simple interactions work best!
Activity Ideas
- Touch and feel boxes: Fill a small box with different textures (soft fabric, small toys, leaves, shells, safe household items – anything you can get your hands on!) and take turns exploring. You’ll be amazed how long a toddler can play with a few feathers, some conkers, and a handful acorns!
- Bond over a good book: Look through picture books and point to familiar objects or animals. Encourage grandparents to name them and tell a short story if they can.
- Sing-along: Sing nursery rhymes together. Clap hands, make hand movements, or shake some simple instruments – a little bit of dried rice in a small jar or container (with a lid) works wonders.
Top Tip: Sensory items, dolls, and pets are often loved by people living with dementia. Dolls can bring back happy memories, and pet visits are calming and fun for all ages. If you’re visiting an Aria Care home, you might see a furry friend drop by—or ask if you can bring your well-behaved pet! Read more about the benefits of Doll Therapy and Pet Therapy for dementia in our knowledge hub.
Young Children / Primary School Age (5–10 years)
With this age group, it’s easier to share some more hands-on activities and memory sharing.
Activity Ideas
- Coin rubbings and memory talks: Bring a few coins and ask grandparents about the money they used as kids. You could try making rubbings or drawings with the coins.
- Crafting together: Simple crafts like decorating picture frames or making friendship bracelets. Ask grandparents about similar crafts they did as children.
- Cooking or baking: Make a simple treat together, like cookies or sandwiches, while asking about favourite childhood recipes. If visiting a care home, why not ask to help the chef in the kitchen together for a little while – our chefs will always accommodate if time allows.
Conversation prompts:
Children this age enjoy making and creating, and these activities naturally spark storytelling and curiosity about the past. Plus, children of this age group rarely have trouble finding something to talk about! But, if you need a helping hand, try these:
- “What was your favourite toy when you were my age?”
- “Can you tell me about a game you liked to play outside?
- “What’s a funny story from when you were little?”
Tweens (11–13 years)
11 to 13 year olds will respond well to a bit more creativity and deeper conversation. That helps them learn from grandparents’ experiences.
Activity Ideas
- Then and now photos: Bring old photos and recreate them together. Compare hairstyles, clothing, or family traditions.
- Mini science or art projects: Simple experiments or painting together can lead to questions about learning, school, and hobbies in the past. In fact, why not bring your homework? If there is one thing most grandparents can offer it is time, wisdom and knowledge – the perfect tutor (and they will love talking about what they know!
- Memory maps: Draw maps of grandparents’ hometowns, schools, or favourite places from childhood.
Conversation prompts:
- “What was your favourite subject at school?”
- “Who was your best friend, and what games did you play?”
- “What’s a tradition from your childhood that you loved?”
Enjoying the Outdoors – For All Ages
Spending time outside together is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to connect across generations. Natural light, fresh air, and a change of scenery benefit both young and old, boosting mood, supporting better sleep, and encouraging gentle physical activity. For people living with dementia, being outdoors can be especially powerful: it can reduce stress, ease agitation, and provide familiar sensory cues (like birdsong or the smell of flowers) that spark comfort and conversation.
Here are some ideas to try together:
- Feed the birds: Fill up a bird feeder and watch to see which birds visit. On your next trip, check if it needs topping up – if your little visitor engages well – you could look up some of the birds that are visiting and draw them.
- Gardening fun: Plant sunflowers, herbs, or seasonal flowers together. Water them during each visit and track their growth, it’s a lovely way to build continuity and anticipation, and if you speak over the telephone in between visits, it’s a great conversation topic.
- Nature hunts: Go exploring to spot bugs, collect colourful leaves, or pick flowers. You could even press the flowers to use in crafts like cards or bookmarks on future visits.
- Sand play: A small tray of sand is perfect for digging, pouring, or feeling textures—without the commitment of a full-on sandpit!
- Walk and chat: Stroll around the garden and talk about what you can see, hear, and smell. Seasonal changes—like the first daffodils, autumn leaves, or winter frost—make each walk a fresh experience.
Did You Know?
Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and encourage better sleep. For people living with dementia, natural light and fresh air can help ease agitation, support daily routines, and even spark old memories through familiar sights, sounds, and smells. Bookmark these two blogs if you are thinking of gardening with a loved one living with dementia:
Teens (14–18 years)
Being social, using tech, and skill-sharing is key…social media will undoubtedly play a key role!
Activity Ideas
1. TikTok / Social Media Challenges:
- #GenerationsDance Challenge: Learn a simple dance together.
- #MemoryLane Challenge: Record short storytelling videos with grandparents sharing a memory.
- #CookingThroughTheDecades Challenge: Make a recipe from grandparents’ youth and film the process.
- Music Sharing: Compare playlists from different generations and discuss favourite songs.
2. Tech help: Teach grandparents a simple app or digital skill—photo editing, SnapChat photo filter, WhatsApp video calling messaging, or Spotify – create a playlist of all their favourite songs that you can play at each visit.
Conversation prompts:
- “What was life like when you were my age?”
- “What advice would you give me about school or friends?”
- “Which traditions do you want to share with future generations?”
Tips for Visiting Grandparents with Dementia
- Be patient; give time for responses.
- Use visual and tactile aids: photos, music, and familiar objects.
- Let grandparents lead the conversation if they wish.
- Small gestures—hand-holding, smiles—are meaningful.
- Keep activities simple, sensory, and interactive.
Every visit with a nan or grandad is a chance to create memories, share stories, and strengthen family bonds. Whether you’re singing nursery rhymes with a toddler, reading with a school-aged child, or teaching a grandparent the latest TikTok trend, these simple activities and prompts can turn even short visits into something special. At Aria Care, we believe in the power of connection across generations, and we’re here to support families in making those moments meaningful.
Find out more information on the benefits of connecting youths and seniors on our Knowledge Hub.
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