The holiday season is a special time for families. It brings everyone together to share food, memories, and moments of joy.
Including grandparents in your holiday plans makes these moments even more meaningful. They often hold the stories, traditions, and recipes that have shaped your family’s holiday celebrations for years. By choosing activities that everyone can participate in, you can make this season warm and memorable for every generation.
If you are looking for fun ideas that are simple, accessible, and family friendly, here are ten great holiday activities the grandparents can join in on. Each activity is designed to be gentle, fun, and easy to adapt to different energy and mobility levels.
1. Baking Holiday Treats Together
Holiday baking is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to bring the family together. Grandparents often have treasured recipes that have been passed down through generations. Invite them to share the stories behind these recipes. Maybe your grandmother has a cookie recipe she learned from her mother, or your grandfather has a favorite pie he used to bake during his childhood.
Make the process simple. Choose recipes that do not require too much prep or heavy lifting. Let grandparents take the lead on mixing ingredients or guiding younger family members through the steps. Kids can handle decorating cookies, shaping dough, or sprinkling toppings.
Baking together fills the home with comforting smells and creates opportunities for conversation. It is an easy activity that feels rewarding for everyone.
2. Decorating the Christmas Tree
Decorating the tree can be a joyful moment for the whole family. Grandparents can sit comfortably nearby and hand out ornaments or share stories about where certain decorations came from. Many families collect ornaments over the years, and each one has a memory attached.
You can also set aside a small section of the tree that grandparents can decorate at their own pace. This allows them to be involved without needing to reach, bend, or stand for long periods.
Make the moment more meaningful by playing their favorite holiday music and taking photos of the family working together.
3. Watching Classic Holiday Movies
A cozy holiday movie night is an activity almost everyone can enjoy. Create a comfortable viewing area with blankets, pillows, and warm drinks. Choose a mix of classic movies your grandparents may have watched when they were younger, along with newer family favorites.
Ask them to share their memories of these films. Many grandparents enjoy talking about how holiday movies have changed and what they watched with their own parents or children.
This simple activity is relaxing, low energy, and perfect for winding down after a busy day of holiday fun.
4. Driving or Walking to See Holiday Lights
Holiday light displays are a beautiful way to celebrate the season. Many neighborhoods go all out, and local parks often have organized light shows as well. If mobility is a concern, take a slow and comfortable drive through decorated areas while listening to holiday music.
If your grandparents enjoy short walks and the weather allows, a gentle stroll through a local light festival can be magical. Keep the pace slow and choose flat, well lit areas. Bring warm blankets, gloves, and hats to make sure everyone is comfortable.
You can even turn this into a light display scavenger hunt for the kids. Look for snowmen, reindeer, stars, or candy cane decorations.
5. Crafting Homemade Holiday Gifts
Crafting together is a calm and creative way to spend time during the holidays. You can make ornaments, simple wreaths, gift tags, photo frames, or painted mugs. Grandparents often enjoy projects that let them express creativity without being physically demanding.
This is also the perfect time to include easy Christmas crafts for seniors in your plans. These types of crafts require simple materials, gentle movements, and short steps that are easy for grandparents to follow.
Set up a clean, well lit table with all the supplies ready to go. Keep the projects simple and fun rather than stressful. When the crafts are finished, you have meaningful homemade gifts that family members will treasure.
6. Reading Holiday Stories Aloud
Holiday stories bring families together and spark warm memories. Grandparents often enjoy reading to their grandchildren, and the little ones love hearing stories told in the voice of someone they love.
Choose classic holiday books that suit different age groups. You can also ask grandparents to share memories of their own childhood holidays. Maybe they remember special dinners, snow days, or gifts they received as kids.
This activity creates a calm, peaceful environment where everyone can slow down and enjoy the moment. It is a perfect evening tradition during the holidays.
7. Playing Board Games or Card Games
Games are a wonderful way for different generations to connect. Grandparents can teach younger family members card games they grew up playing. Many of these games are simple, steady paced, and easy for kids to learn.
Board games that encourage conversation and teamwork are a great choice too. Pick games that are not too fast or physically demanding. Keep the focus on fun and connection rather than competition.
Playing games encourages laughter, storytelling, and shared experiences. It is an easy way to involve grandparents in something enjoyable that does not require intense concentration or movement.
8. Attending Local Holiday Events
Most communities offer a variety of holiday activities, such as tree lighting ceremonies, parades, craft fairs, or concerts. These events can be a wonderful outing for grandparents if you choose places that are easy to access.
Look for venues with comfortable seating, ramps, or shorter walking distances. Arrive early to avoid crowds and find good spots to sit.
These outings help grandparents feel connected to the larger community and give the whole family a reason to get out and enjoy the holiday spirit together.
9. Holiday Scrapbooking or Photo Sharing
Scrapbooking is a meaningful activity that lets the family capture memories in a creative way. Gather printed photos from previous holidays or special family moments and work together to create a scrapbook.
Grandparents often have older photos, and this is a great chance for them to tell the stories behind the pictures. You can also create digital albums if that is easier. Use a tablet or laptop and let grandparents help choose which photos to include.
This activity preserves family history and gives everyone something to look back on with pride and joy.
10. Cooking a Special Family Meal
Preparing a holiday meal does not mean grandparents need to stand for long periods or handle heavy tasks. Instead, let them take on simple responsibilities such as mixing ingredients, seasoning dishes, or supervising cooking steps.
Cooking together gives everyone a chance to talk, bond, and share family traditions. You can even ask grandparents to show the younger generation how to prepare a dish they have been making for years.
Make the kitchen a relaxed and supportive space. Let grandparents participate at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
Keeping Everyone Involved
The holidays are about connection, comfort, and spending quality time with the people we love. Grandparents have a special place in the family, and choosing activities that include them shows how much they matter. Whether you are baking cookies, watching movies, enjoying lights, or making crafts, each moment becomes a cherished memory.
If you ever need extra help supporting your loved ones during the holidays, simple services like home care assistance can make it easier for grandparents to stay involved and enjoy every moment with the family.
This season, focus on togetherness. Slow down, make space for conversation, and enjoy making new memories with the grandparents who help shape your family’s story.