My grandfather taught me to fish when I was seven. I don't remember a single thing about the fish. I remember his hands on the rod, the way he whistled when he was concentrating, and the red thermos of coffee he always brought. That was 40 years ago. The coffee is long gone, but the connection isn't.
Being a grandparent is one of the richest chapters of life. It's also one that has changed more in the last ten years than in the fifty before them. Grandchildren today grow up with tablets before they can walk, and many live hundreds or thousands of miles away. The good news: staying close has never been easier once you know which tools actually work and which ones just add frustration.
This guide walks you through the best ways to connect with grandchildren of any age, whether they're in the next room or the next time zone. No jargon, no overwhelm — just practical things you can start doing today.
Best Apps and Devices for Connecting with Grandchildren
You don't need to become a tech wizard. You need maybe two or three things that work reliably. Here are the ones worth your time, grouped by what they do best.
Video Calling (Face-to-Face, Even From Afar)
Zoom — Free for calls up to 40 minutes. Works on phones, tablets, and computers. Most grandchildren already have it installed. You can schedule recurring calls so nobody forgets. The screen is big enough on a tablet to see faces clearly.
FaceTime — Built into every Apple device. If you and your grandchild both have iPhones or iPads, it's the simplest option because there's nothing to install. The call quality is consistently good.
WhatsApp — Free video calling that works across Apple and Android. Popular if your grandchildren live outside the United States. Also good for quick text messages and photo sharing.
Apps That Let You Stay in Touch Without Syncing Schedules
Marco Polo — Think of it as a video walkie-talkie. You record a short video message, send it, and your grandchild watches and replies when they have time. No scheduling, no pressure. It's especially popular with grandparents because the messages don't disappear — you can rewatch them anytime.
FamilyAlbum — A private photo-sharing app where only invited family members can see and comment on pictures. Parents upload photos of the grandkids, and you get notified. No social media, no strangers. Several grandparents told us checking FamilyAlbum is the highlight of their morning coffee.
Best Tablets for Seniors Who Want Things Simple
If setting up devices makes you want to throw them out the window, here are your best bets:
- GrandPad — A tablet built specifically for seniors. It arrives preconfigured — you literally open the box and start using it. Video calling, photo sharing, games, and email all work out of the box. No passwords to remember. Around $40/month with 24/7 support. The screen is large and the buttons are easy to see.
- Amazon Echo Show — A smart display with a screen. You talk to it ("Alexa, call Jenny") and it places the video call for you. The 10-inch model has a sharp display and the speakers are loud enough for hearing-impaired users. Around $90–130 one-time cost.
- iPad (base model) — If you're reasonably comfortable with technology and want the most versatile option, the standard iPad is hard to beat. It's more expensive ($329+) but gives you access to every app mentioned in this guide. Pro tip: have a grandchild or family member help you set it up and only install the few apps you actually need.
What to Look for When Choosing a Device for Staying in Touch
Before you buy anything, walk through this checklist. It'll save you money and headaches.
Screen Size
Anything smaller than 8 inches gets cramped during video calls, especially if you're showing grandkids around the room or they're showing you a school project. A 10-inch screen is the sweet spot — big enough to see faces clearly, small enough to hold comfortably.
Speaker Quality
If you have any hearing loss (and most of us do by 65), a device with front-facing speakers makes a real difference. The Echo Show 10 and the larger iPads both do well here. Budget tablets often put speakers on the back, which muffles sound. Read reviews specifically about speaker quality before buying.
Setup Complexity
The honest truth: most tablets assume you already know how to set them up. If technology frustrates you, the GrandPad or Echo Show are worth the extra cost because they remove setup entirely. An iPad is more capable but requires more initial effort. Choose based on your patience level, not the feature list.
Monthly Cost vs. One-Time Cost
GrandPad charges about $40/month but includes cellular data (no WiFi needed) and live support. An iPad is a one-time purchase but you'll need WiFi. Figure out which model fits your budget and comfort level — there's no wrong answer.
Fun Activities to Do with Grandchildren — In Person and Remote
The best activities aren't elaborate. They're things you both actually enjoy, repeated often enough to become traditions.
For Toddlers and Young Children (Ages 2–6)
- Read picture books together. Over video call, hold the book up to the camera or use a tablet with the Kindle app. Let the child "turn the pages" by telling you when. Ask them to find the duck on each page. It takes five minutes and they'll want to do it every time.
- Simple crafts. Send a small package with construction paper, safety scissors, and stickers. Then get on a video call and make things together. A paper crown. A drawing of a dinosaur. Nothing fancy — the point is doing it at the same time.
- Sing songs. The same songs you sang to their parent. "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Wheels on the Bus." Toddlers don't care if you can carry a tune.
For School-Age Children (Ages 7–12)
- Board games over video call. Games like Connect Four, Battleship, and Guess Who work surprisingly well when you both have the same game board. You each set up your board, point the camera at it, and play normally. Some families keep a duplicate set of favorite games at each house just for this.
- Cook or bake together. Pick a simple recipe — chocolate chip cookies, pancakes, homemade pizza. Send the grandchild the ingredient list ahead of time. Set up your tablet in the kitchen and cook "together." Even if yours turns out better, theirs tastes better to them.
- Teach them something you know. Knitting. Woodworking. Gardening. The names of birds in your backyard. How to change a tire. You have decades of skills that nobody else is going to teach them. Kids love learning from grandparents in a way they don't from parents.
- Tell family stories. Not in a formal "let me tell you about your heritage" way. Just say "did I ever tell you about the time your dad tried to build a go-kart?" One story per call is plenty. They'll remember these more than anything else.
For Teenagers (Ages 13+)
- Share music. Ask them to send you a playlist of what they're listening to. Listen to it. Really listen. Then tell them which song you liked and why. You don't have to pretend to love everything — they'll respect an honest opinion more than fake enthusiasm.
- Watch a show together. Pick a series and each watch an episode during the week, then discuss it on your call. It gives you something to talk about beyond "how's school."
- Go for a walk together (remotely). Put in earbuds, call them on FaceTime, and each walk around your neighborhood while you talk. The walking makes the conversation feel more natural than sitting in front of a screen.
- Ask about their interests — and listen without fixing. "What's the best game you're playing right now?" "Who's your favorite YouTuber?" Don't judge the answers. Just be curious. Teenagers get plenty of judgment from the rest of the world.
Building a Bond When You Live Nearby
Living close brings its own opportunities — and its own challenges. The biggest mistake nearby grandparents make is waiting to be invited. Don't.
Create a regular rhythm. "Every Wednesday after school" or "Saturday morning pancakes." Kids thrive on predictability, and so do relationships. Having a standing date takes the pressure off both sides — nobody has to propose it, nobody has to decline.
Have a project. Building a birdhouse. Growing tomatoes. Restoring an old piece of furniture. Kids learn more from working alongside you than from being lectured. Plus, you'll have something to show for it at the end.
Go to their things. Soccer games. School plays. Piano recitals. You don't have to attend everything — that's exhausting and probably unwanted. But showing up to the big ones, consistently, over years? That's how a child knows they matter to you.
Respect your children's parenting. This is the hardest one. You raised your kids a certain way. Your kids may be raising theirs differently. Unless a child is in danger, your role is support, not override. Bite your tongue, offer help when asked, and be the safe adult they can always count on — not the one with constant opinions about screen time and bedtimes.
Navigating Difficult Family Dynamics
Not every grandparent-grandchild relationship is straightforward. Divorce, estrangement, distance, and disagreements all complicate things. Here's what helps:
Focus on the child, not the conflict. If there's tension with your adult child or their spouse, keep your attention on the grandchild. Send cards for birthdays and holidays directly to the child. Make it clear that your relationship with them doesn't depend on your relationship with their parents.
Respect boundaries, even when it hurts. If a parent says "no gifts with screens" or "no visits longer than an hour," follow those rules without pushback. The fastest way to lose access is to argue about the terms of access.
Consider mediated communication. Some families use apps like OurFamilyWizard, which were designed for co-parenting but work well for any family with communication challenges. It keeps everything documented and reduces misunderstandings.
Grandparents' rights. In some situations, legal options exist. Every state handles this differently. If you've been cut off from grandchildren after a divorce or death in the family, a family law attorney can tell you what's possible. This is a last resort, not a first step — but it's worth knowing about.
Best Gifts for Grandchildren That Aren't Just More Stuff
The toy pile is already a mountain. Consider gifts that create time together instead:
- Experience gifts. Tickets to a play. A museum membership. A promised fishing trip. Write it down on a card: "This entitles you to one day at the zoo with Grandpa. Ice cream included."
- Letters. A handwritten letter once a month. Tell them what you were doing at their age, what their parent was like as a child, a story from your own childhood. These become treasures. Keep copies — they'll want them someday.
- A shared subscription. A streaming service you both watch. A magazine you both read. A monthly craft kit delivered to both houses. Anything that gives you a built-in topic to discuss on your next call.
- The "Grandparent Interview Kit." A small voice recorder and a list of questions. "What was your favorite toy?" "What did you want to be when you grew up?" Let them interview you. They learn your history, and you get a recording that will mean everything to them later.
Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Show Up for Them
You can't pour from an empty cup. Grandparenting is joyful, but it's also tiring — especially if you're providing regular childcare. Protect your own health so you can keep showing up.
Know your limits. If you're providing daily childcare, be honest about how many hours you can sustain. It's better to do two solid days a week than five exhausted ones. Talk to your adult children early, before burnout sets in.
Stay physically active. Keeping up with grandchildren requires mobility, balance, and stamina. Regular walking, chair exercises, or balance training help. SilverStrength Club has guides on all of these — start with our balance exercises program or chair yoga routine.
Find your own social circle. Your grandchildren need a grandparent who has their own life, their own friends, their own interests. It makes you more interesting to them, and it keeps you from pinning all your social needs on a seven-year-old. Look into senior social groups in your area.
Give yourself credit. The simple fact that you're reading this guide means you're a grandparent who cares about showing up well. That already puts you ahead of most. Don't compare yourself to Instagram grandparents. Your grandchildren don't need Pinterest-worthy activities — they need you.