As the population across the state of Michigan ages, there are more grandparents alive today than ever before. In fact the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 20130, one in every five people in this country will be over the age of 65. For the first time in history, people over the age of 65 will outnumber children under age five.
Grandparents Play Key Roles in Grandchildren’s Lives
This shift in demographics means more and more families are enjoying intergenerational connections and relationships. Where in past generations children often lost their grandparents in their earliest years, today’s younger generation often has both grandparents and great-grandparents to enjoy. That allows grandparents to play more pivotal roles in their grandchildren’s lives.
Intergenerational Activities to Use to Celebrate Grandparents
Grandparents Day is an officially-recognized national holiday celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Celebrating grandparents and “grand friends” can help to further build bonds.
If you are trying to come up with ideas to help your parents and your children enjoy National Grandparent’s Day together, we have a few suggestions to help you get started. These are organizations dedicated to helping build stronger families ties across the generations.
- The Legacy Project has a site full of activities grandparents and grandchildren of all ages can enjoy together. Projects range from scrapbooks to handprint flowers and butterflies.
- American Grandparents Association is another resource devoted to celebrating the generations. They have activities and projects your family can enjoy all year long.
- Ways to Celebrate Grandparents on Grandparents Day is a quick read with some easy-to-do suggestions for activities including creating a family tree.
- Activity Village also has helpful resources for Grandparents Day. Their site includes printables, coloring pages, and crafting ideas.
- The Holiday Zone is another site with printables, poems, puzzles, songs, plays and more.
Do you have any ideas to share for celebrating the family elders?
We’d love to hear them in the Comments below!