What to Do with Your Grandchildren This Summer
Now that school is out, kids around the country can enjoy the heat of the summer and free time without the worry of homework or the extra-curricular activities. As such, many children have extended periods of free time – so much so that they are at a loss of how to spend it!
As grandparents, summer is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your grandchildren. You can organize activities for pure fun and introduce the flavor of Judaism into your grandchildren’s lives. With summer being mostly absent of Jewish holidays, this is your time to be creative!
Here are some ideas on how to spend your summer with your grandchildren:
- Host a Shabbat meal for your grandchildren and their family. Try grilling and eating outside to give Shabbat a summer feel;
- If your grandchildren are at sleep-away camp, consider surprising them on Visitors’ Day or Weekend;
- Teach your grandchildren a Hebrew camp song;
- Help your grandchildren learn the concepts of baal taschit, “do not destroy,” and tikkun olam “repair the world” by volunteering in the great outdoors, whether it be by picking up trash, helping in a community garden, or planting trees. For more on these ideas, click here.
- Consider taking your grandchildren on a trip. There often is a Jewish connection in any town or city.
Have you ever done any of these activities with your grandchildren? Or do you have any ideas for summer activities that are particularly fun? Help other grandparents and let us know!