Any grandparents around? Need some advice!

[Revelwithacause]

I’ve booked my mum a weekend away for her birthday coming up soon. It’s a big house with her and children and grandchildren (ranging in age from 2-15). I’ve got some things planned and lots of time just hanging out spending time together but there is a free afternoon for some kind of activity but I’m struggling for ideas. Any insight into the kind of thing you’d like to do with your children and grandchildren for a couple of hours? We’d like to be able to stay in the house (or grounds of the house).

Make and fly a kite and have competitions?
Could follow up with takeaway or bbq around a fire pit -depending on what the house has to offer guests.

Without being insensitive - what "kind" of grandparent is she? How old/active? As someone who's in their late 50s or early 60s and in good health may be up for quite different things to someone in their late 70s or 80s, or if in ill health. Like completing a treasure hunt across the grounds with the grandkids is one thing if you're mobile and up for running about, otherwise a more sedentary activity may be preferred.

How about putting together a picture/slide show and each person doing a poem or speech about a memory they have of grandmother?

My grandparents love animals and wildlife so they enjoy taking my kids to farms, zoos, wildlife centres etc. what kind of thing does she enjoy? She might want that time for a nap tbh don't underestimate how knackering other peoples kids can be even if they are your grandchildren

Pizza making?

Or an afternoon off- film for the kids, drinks for some of the grown ups. It’s going to be a bit full on!

As a grandparent, what I really really like is being in the company of my family and seeing them have a whale of a time, lots of laughing and giggling. If you can put your finger on what would have this effect on your lot.....!

Depends on age and mobiliy. DD's grandparents are over 85, no way we can do a big activity anymore.

But 15 years ago, everything was possible.

You don't say what is already planned. I would look at a wet day option as well. Maybe some board game set up? Several tables with a variety to ensure the age range of the children is taken into account and the adults swap tables after one round?

She’s 70 and pretty active. A treasure hunt is a really lovely idea. Thank you! Trying to think of ways to make it toddler and teenager friendly!

Thank you. All really great ideas! Love the idea of a pizza making session because that sorts out the kids dinner too!

You could ask each person/couple/family to provide some sort of entertainment.

Singing, playing an instrument, some sort of gymnastics or dance routine etc

You can find lots of "Taskmaster" type ideas on-line.

We've done that on an extended family holiday and you can have some tasks geared towards the little ones and some for the older generation.

Sausage or Finger? was a massive success with all ages

He about pottery painting to make presents for Grandma? Could get all the stuff to do at home and it’s something everyone can get involved with at different levels from toddler to teens and nice keepsakes for Grandma.

Ah sounds amazing! I’m a Grandmother and would love this! I’d agree a treasure hunt type thing (or just hide sweets/Easter eggs.) Baking a few cakes for an afternoon tea? Everyone could get involved in that. A big jigsaw maybe or some puzzles for everyone to dip into over the few days.

Could she have an afternoon going to the cinema/theatre/gallery/restaurant by herself or with just the older ones?

That would be my idea of hell and I think the older children would definitely die of embarrassement first.

Thanks but she wouldn’t like that. Everyone lives very far apart and time spent with us all together is incredibly precious for her.

To be fair my mum and the kids would probably love this but I would rather claw my own eyes out than watch it 😂

This is a lovely idea! But there are 2 particularly wild children who would not sit calmly for this! Something active would be a bonus to get the kids to bed early so we can have a lovely relaxing evening.

Taskmaster is a great idea. Please explain sausage or finger. It sounds right up our street!

Homemade pizza making and a game of Yahtzee or Scrabble.

The OP asked for ideas and I suggested one.
I don’t care what you think tbh

@Revelwithacause

Sausage or finger is very simple (and not nearly as rude as it sounds!)

You need one cooked sausage and a latex glove.

Put the sausage in one of the fingers of the glove.

When it's your turn, you stand with your back to the players with your eyes closed/blindfolded.

The rest of the players take it in turns to touch you with either the sausage or their finger. You get a point if you guess correctly.

Thank you! We will do this. Although DH has just suggested adding a 3rd option 🤔

If there is a lawn or something, could you get a croquet, boules or petangue set for some light competitive exercise. Also giant Jenga something like that

Great ideas. Thank you