Grandparenting

The real gift grandparents can give to their grandkids is the gift of time spent together, says Teece Lester, preschool coordinator at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Don’t manage experiences when they’re in nature—simply let them explore, touch and smell anything that interests them (as long as they’re safe, of course.) ...

Growing sunflowers with your grandchildren is a rewarding summertime experience. The weekly growth of sunflowers is staggering and the kids can measure and record each sunflower’s progress. Soon, the plants surpass the child’s height before blooming in late summer or early fall into their magnificent yellow and orange heads. And, of course, it is important to save some seeds for next year, dry them and wait until another spring to continue the sunflower tradition! ...

Playing games on smartphones and tablets has been around for more than a decade. Accessibility and the ease at which games can be played quickly probably surpass other forms of gaming and provide a common thread linking generations of game lovers. ...

Before the shutdown, we were too busy with work and dined out frequently, but we’ve now found ourselves cooking at home more than ever. It’s helpful that social media has live cooking demos that provide the confidence and inspiration to whip up a delicious meal enjoyed with family. ...

If you have a smaller box, just large enough to fit one child, make a race car or a car to take to a make-shift drive-in movie. I could not find four identically sized boxes (they must be the same!) so I bought four plastic storage containers. ...

From love letters that combat loneliness to farmers markets, Operation Cheer, virtual vacations and Impact Awards, read what's Worth Noting! ...

How does a grandparent hug an iPad? Or wipe the snot from a grandchild’s nose watching from a video screen? As much as the coronavirus is costing jobs and lives, it is also interrupting the relationship grandparents want with their grandchildren. ...

Public egg hunts for the kiddos are a great Eastertime tradition, but if communities are still under coronavirus shutdown, you can have an egg hunt in your own house or yard! Plastic eggs can be filled with candy, such as small chocolates or jelly beans. Candy alternatives can include stickers, small toys or money. ...