Staying connected with grandkids is a vital aspect of being grandparents, but it’s much trickier to become close to your loved ones if you live in a completely different location. However, not all is lost. We live in a modern era where there are ample ways to stay connected with your grandchildren in traditional and nontraditional ways.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to stay connected with your grandkids, you’re in the right place. From working with technology to see your grandchildren’s faces to hopping on a plane for some of their critical life events, there are many one-of-a-kind ways to experience life with your little ones.
Schedule Video Calls
One of the easiest ways to take on long-distance grandparenting is through video connection. From Zoom to Facetime, there are ample options through screen technology to talk with your grandkids face-to-face. One study even states that video calls will help lower loneliness and depression in senior adults and beyond.
Some of the best platforms for video calls include the following:
Some are paid, while others are free. Video connection also allows you to communicate with more than one person at a time. It might take some time to get used to the process, but it’s simple enough that anyone can understand it.
Visit for Major Events
Of course, it’s still vital to connect with your grandkids whenever you can. If there are critical events, consider traveling to their location to celebrate. Travel will stimulate a positive response in the body, which is healthy for any older adult.
Major events might include items like the following:
- Graduation
- Birthdays
- Weddings
- Anniversaries
These warrant a visit. Traveling can be a massive endeavor for senior adults, so plan in advance. If you need any accommodations, contact the necessary people ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling last minute.
Keep Up on Social Media
Another excellent way to keep up with grandchildren is to take full advantage of social media. From pictures to videos, seeing updates on these channels is an ideal method for seeing random updates of what’s going on in their life, along with posting about what’s happening on your end.
Also, social media provides a way to post comments and send pictures and videos you think are funny to the person you’re communicating with. It might be a small form of connection, but using platforms like Instagram and Facebook will help you have a small peek into their life.
Need help setting up social media accounts? Check out our Facebook guide, or our Instagram Guide to get started.
Meet in the Middle
Maybe you live in another state or a town a few hundred miles away. If you want to meet but don’t want to go all the way to one place or the other, find a location in the middle. It might be a tourist town, a movie theater, or a cafe where you can go every once in a while and enjoy precious time together.
Plan your meeting spot around your ability as a senior. It might need to change as travel abilities shift, but it will provide an exciting activity and a memorable way to connect that will offer a long-lasting legacy.
Try Snail Mail
Another excellent way for long-distance grandparents to connect with their grandchildren is through classic snail mail. Writing can even help improve memory, which means it’s just as practical a tool for connecting with your loved one as it is an excellent choice for helping the functions of your mind.
It is vital to remember that snail mail, as in the name, takes far longer to arrive. If you’re patient, it’s fun and can even be supplemented with other communication tools like video chat and texting in the meantime.
Text and Call
There is always the classic cellphone if you want to speak with your grandchildren. Try to schedule phone calls throughout the week for verbal communication, and you can text them whenever you want. Remember that only older grandchildren will be happy to communicate constantly this way.
Texting and calling is an ideal way to become familiar with a phone, which is helpful technology if you ever find yourself in need of contacting someone for an emergency. All you need is a smartphone and an ideal connection.
Consider Collaborative Game Apps
We live in a time where there is ample access to applications and technology. In the past decade, collaborative apps have appeared on the market. You can use collaborative apps to have fun and connect with your grandchildren from afar.
Here are a few of the best collaborative apps:
- Chess
- Monopoly
- Scrabble
These all provide the chance to have fun with your grandchildren. There are also games like Jackbox that can be played over video chat. There are ways to overlap these exciting endeavors, which makes it even more thrilling to play. You should speak with your grandchildren and get an idea of what they want to do before deciding what to play.
Utilize Unique Creative Endeavors
Finally, there are other unique, creative endeavors you can do to stay close to your grandchildren. The more creative you are, the more meaningful your experiences will be to younger children.
Creative endeavors include the following:
- Writing a story together, passing the words back and forth via Google Docs or Word
- Planting seeds in gardens apart and talking to each other about the process
- Creating a painting together
- Watch a TV series together and make it a game to guess what will happen next episode
There are many ways to connect creatively.
It’s always fun to complete an activity that results in a product at the end of the day. You can even learn new things about yourselves, which will only benefit both of you.
Related: How to Learn About Gardening (Complete Guide)
Final Thoughts
In our modern day and age, there are more ways than ever to connect with grandchildren. You can use a video connection, visit for major events, keep up on social media, meet in the middle, use snail mail, text, collaborate, and more.
Although it can be painful to be away from grandchildren, not all is lost. There are ample ways to connect and options suited for different people and lifestyles. You’re sure to find something here that will work perfectly.
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