Science Says Grandchildren Feel Close to Grandparents Who Do These 5 Simple Bonding Activities

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“Just one more story, Grandma. Please?”

If you’ve heard those words at bedtime, you already know the feeling. It’s that warm, tug-at-your-heart moment when you realize your grandchild doesn’t want the night to end, because they want more time with you.

Here’s the good news: being close to your grandkids doesn’t take fancy trips, big gifts, or a packed calendar. It comes from the small things you do again and again. The bedtime stories, the snacks you make together, the silly jokes only the two of you get.

And this isn’t just a nice idea. Science backs it up. Researchers at Boston College, led by Sara Moorman, studied grandparents and their grown grandchildren. They found that when the two felt emotionally close, both sides were less likely to feel depressed. That closeness is good for your grandkids, and it’s good for you too.

So what kinds of moments build that bond? Below are five simple activities that research says can bring you and your grandchildren closer. Chances are, you’re already doing some of them.

1. Tell Them Your Family Stories

You might think your old stories are “nothing special.” Maybe it’s the time you got lost on the way to your first job, how you met their grandfather, or how the family got through a tough winter when money was tight.

To your grandkids, those stories are treasure.

Researchers at Emory University, Marshall Duke and Robyn Fivush, wanted to know if kids benefit from knowing their family’s history. So they made a simple quiz called the “Do You Know?” scale. It asked kids questions like:

• Do you know where your grandparents grew up?
• Do you know how your parents met?
• Do you know about a hard time your family went through?

The kids who knew more answers tended to feel more confident and bounced back better when life got hard. Hearing that their family had faced tough times and made it through helped them believe they could too.

That’s a big gift to come from something as simple as talking.

Try this: Pull out an old photo album and flip through it together. Let your grandchild point to a picture and ask, “Who’s that?” or “Where were you?” The photos will spark stories you forgot you even had. And don’t be afraid to share the hard parts along with the happy ones. Kids learn a lot from hearing how you got through the rough patches.

2. Cook or Bake Together

There’s something about a kitchen that brings people together. Maybe it’s the smell of cookies in the oven, or the fact that everyone ends up hanging around the counter waiting for a taste.

Cooking with your grandkids doesn’t have to be fancy. Pick a family favorite, like your famous banana bread, Sunday pancakes, or the holiday cookies everyone fights over. Then let them help. Give them real jobs: measuring the flour, cracking the eggs (yes, a little shell might sneak in), stirring the batter, and of course, taste-testing.

So why does this work so well? Studies on family meals have found that kids who regularly share food and time with family tend to feel happier and more connected. Cooking together gives you that same kind of time, plus a little extra.

When your hands are busy, talking gets easier. There’s no pressure and no staring across the table asking, “So, how’s school?” You’re just side by side, chatting while the butter melts. That’s often when kids open up about what’s really on their minds.

Try this: Write the recipe out by hand together on a card. Let your grandchild add their own notes, like “Grandma says add extra chocolate chips.” Years from now, that little card in your handwriting may be one of the things they treasure most.

Read Also: 7 Habits of Grandparents Who Stay Close to Their Grandchildren Even as They Grow Older, According to Psychology

3. Read Together, in Person or Over Video

Few things feel cozier than snuggling up with a grandchild and a good book. Reading together is one of the easiest ways to spend quality time, and it works for just about any age.

For little ones, it might be the same picture book for the hundredth time. For older kids, you could take turns reading a chapter book, a few pages each night. Either way, you’re building a tradition that’s just yours.

Reading together does more than pass the time. It helps kids learn new words and become stronger readers. It also creates a calm, close moment where they have your full attention. And having a regular “story time” gives them something to look forward to with you.

Live far away? No problem. Set up a weekly video call and read together over FaceTime or Zoom. Hold the book up so they can see the pictures, or have them grab their own copy so you can read along together. Research suggests kids connect better over video when the chat goes both ways, so ask questions and let them talk back.

Try this: Let your grandchild pick the book. Then stop once in a while and ask, “What do you think happens next?” Kids love to guess, and you’ll get a fun peek into how their minds work.

4. Get Outside and Play

You don’t need to run a marathon or climb a jungle gym to have fun outside with your grandkids. A slow walk around the block counts. So does tossing a ball in the backyard, pulling weeds in the garden, or tossing bread to the ducks at the park.

The trick is to pick something that fits your energy level. If your knees aren’t what they used to be, that’s okay. Sitting on a bench and watching for birds together is just as special as a game of tag.

Being active together pays off for both of you. Researchers at the University of Oxford, led by Ann Buchanan, found that kids whose grandparents were closely involved in their lives had fewer emotional and behavior problems. Doing things side by side is one of the best ways to be involved.

And here’s a bonus for you: moving your body and spending time outdoors helps you stay healthy as you age. So every walk with your grandkids is good for your heart in more ways than one.

Try this: Start a small “project” you can check on together each visit. Plant a tomato plant, hang a bird feeder, or grow sunflowers along the fence. Kids love seeing how things change, and it gives them one more reason to come running to your door.

5. Let Them Teach You Something

We’re used to being the teachers. After all, we’ve taught our kids and grandkids how to tie their shoes, say “please,” and ride a bike. But some of the sweetest moments happen when you flip the roles.

Ask your grandchild to show you something they love. It could be a video game, how to send a funny photo on your phone, a new dance, or something they learned in science class. Then sit back and let them be the expert.

This isn’t just fun. It’s good for your relationship. Remember the Boston College study from earlier? The researchers found that grandparents who both gave help and got help from their grandkids felt the best emotionally. In other words, a close bond isn’t a one-way street. It works best when both of you give.

When you ask your grandchild to teach you, you’re telling them, “You’re smart, and I value what you know.” That’s a powerful message for a kid to hear.

Try this: Be a willing student, even if you fumble a little. Ask questions, laugh at your mistakes, and cheer when you finally get it. Kids light up when they get to be the one in charge, and you might pick up a handy new skill along the way.

Read Also: Best 20 Movies for Unforgettable Grandparent-Grandchild Quality Time

Conclusion
Here’s the best part about all five of these activities: none of them have to be perfect. The cookies can come out a little burnt. You can lose track of the story halfway through the book. Your video game skills can be, well, terrible.

What matters most is showing up again and again. Kids remember the time you made for them far more than how well everything went.

So pick one activity from this list and try it this week. Call your grandchild and ask them to teach you something, or pull out that old family recipe and plan a baking day.

Those moments might feel ordinary to you. But to your grandchildren, they’re often the memories they hold onto for the rest of their lives.

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