What are some fun things to do with my grandchild on FaceTime or Zoom?
Try a virtual scavenger hunt where you describe an object in your house and they have to find it in theirs. Or, read a book together using a shared online whiteboard and let them draw pictures to illustrate the story as you go!
What is one thing you and your grandchild both love? How can you turn that into a shared activity this week?
Your grandchild sees you on a screen. A flat square. Voices sound tinny. Gestures are small. Hugs are impossible. You try to tell a story, but a notification pops up on the parent's phone. Your grandchild wanders off to play with a toy. A pang of guilt hits you: Am I boring? The screen feels like a wall, not a window. How do you break through? How do you become more than a two-dimensional image?
There is a way to make those pixels come alive.
Young children crave shared attention. It means focusing on something together. It's not enough to just be on a call. You must create a moment where you both focus on the same thing. A toy. A story. A silly face. This is harder on video. Why? Because screens create distance. You must bridge that gap with active engagement. A 2018 study in Computers in Human Behavior found that interactive screen time with loved ones boosts children’s emotional well-being.
Think of your video call as a stage. You're not just talking; you're performing together.
Aisha, 6, lives in Mumbai. Her grandparents live in Chicago. At first, video calls felt forced. Aisha would hide behind her mom. Then her grandmother started showing Aisha her garden. Aisha loved seeing the colorful flowers. Now, Aisha shows her grandmother her drawings. The calls feel easier.
In contrast, Gunther, 8, in Berlin video chats with his Opa in Argentina. Gunther felt video calls were boring. Opa started doing magic tricks. Now, Gunther looks forward to learning new tricks with his Opa. Both Aisha and Gunther needed a shared activity to make distance feel smaller.
Try a co-creation project. Instead of just talking, build something together. This week, start a collaborative story. Ask your grandchild to start a story with one sentence. Then, you add the next sentence. Keep going back and forth. Write it down or type it out together on a shared doc. Say this: 'Can we build a story together? You start!'
Smaller moves:
- Plan a virtual scavenger hunt.
- Read a book using an online whiteboard. Ask your grandchild to draw pictures of the story.
Outcome: Your grandchild will be excited to connect. Your video calls will turn into meaningful moments.
Don't just be a face on a screen. Create shared experiences. Build something together, even from miles away. This makes you a core memory, not just a pixel.
🤔 Which thinking lens(es) did you use?
Select all the lenses you used while thinking about this:
Common Questions
Try "I Spy"! Describe an object in your house. Have your grandchild guess what it is. Take turns. It's simple and fun. You can also play virtual Pictionary. Use a whiteboard app to draw pictures. Have your grandchild guess what you're drawing. These are great online games for kids!
Toddlers have short attention spans. Keep it brief. Sing songs. Make silly faces. Read a short book with bright pictures. Use puppets. The key is visual stimulation. A friend of mine, Sarah, uses a special box of sensory toys. When she FaceTimes her two-year-old niece, she pulls out a new toy each time. Keeps her niece engaged!
Ask about their favorite things. Their favorite toy. Their favorite color. Their favorite animal. Let them lead the conversation. Children love to talk about what interests them. Do a "show and tell" where they present a favorite item.
Many apps let you play games together remotely. Caribu has games, books, and activities. It lets you draw and read together. Some online chess sites are kid-friendly. My neighbor, old Mr. Henderson, plays virtual checkers every Sunday with his grandson using an app called "Checkers Online". They love it. It's their special ritual.
Be playful. Make funny faces. Use silly voices. Wear a costume. Children love silliness. Change your background on Zoom. Pick a fun theme. Make grandparent grandchild activities special!
Explore virtual museums together. Many museums offer online tours. Discuss what you see. Read an educational book together. Ask questions about the story. Research an animal together. Learn a new language together. The options are endless. For example, my sister taught her granddaughter a few French phrases using Duolingo.
Be consistent. Schedule regular video calls. Send letters and postcards. Create shared traditions. These small gestures build strong bonds. Remember that it's about quality, not quantity. Even a short, meaningful call can make a big difference.
Don't force it. Try a different approach. Instead of asking questions, tell a story. Show them something interesting. A pet. A plant. A toy. Sometimes, children need time to warm up. A script: 'I know you might feel shy. That's OK. I’m just here to say hi and show you my silly cat!' Let them watch and listen without pressure.