Before our grandson came along I thought my life was quite fun.  Me and hubby would go for walks in our local park, admiring the scenery and wildlife.  We had Netflix ‘fests’, watching box sets of TV series (usually something with vampires or dragons).   We’d spend time reading novels or magazines.   Those things are very pleasant ways to spend your time and we still do them, but having grandchildren in your life, after years of only having grown up children, makes you look at everything differently.  Grandchildren really do keep you young … and make you happy!

The Park

Ashton is 19 months old and a trip to Saltwell Park with him is a very different experience.

The play area has changed a lot since our kids were little.  There are sandpits and adventure play areas with tunnels and walkways.  It’s so much fun watching and helping him explore them.  We get a lot of exercise too running around from one side of the tunnel to the other so we can say ‘peekaboo’ when he gets to the end.  And I’d forgotten how much fun you could have with a bucket and spade!

The park also has a Thomas the Tank Engine train, and for £1.50 per person you can go for a ride around the lake on it.  I took Ashton on it a couple of weeks ago and think I enjoyed it as much as he did.  Definitely one for grandparents and grandchildren.

Then there’s the Maze.  Hubby has been very excited about this maze for a couple of years since they replanted it.  Every time we went for a walk we’d go past it and he’d say he couldn’t wait to take Ashton in it.   The pair of them set off while I waited on the path above them so I could watch.  Every so often hubby would lift Ashton up and he’d laugh and wave.  That little smile always makes my heart melt.

Toys

As resellers we pick up lots of toys.  Before our little sunshine came along we’d clean them, test them, set them up for photographing and then put them in the stock room.  Now if we get anything that’s suitable for Ashton to play with we let him ‘help’.  You wouldn’t believe how entertaining sorting out a bag full of playmobil is, or testing out a brio train set can be.  And I think we’ll have to keep the pop up tent for now.

I’d also forgotten how much fun a dish of water and some plastic beakers can be.  Ashton was fascinated when I filled a bowl of water and took it out onto the decking.  He thought it was a brilliant game to fill the beakers and then ‘wash’ the decking with the water.   It was actually more fun for me watching him do it than it was sitting reading a magazine.   This is a good activity for grandchildren but make sure you supervise them at all times!

Talking about magazines it seems they’re not just for grandma to read.   Ashton loves Woman and Home magazine!  Every time he visits he picks it up off the table and puts it on my knee, then he likes to turn the pages and say ‘what’s that’ to every picture.   For some reason it’s the only magazine he picks up, I’ve tried other ones but he doesn’t like them.  When he gets to the pictures of food he always says ‘mmmmm’.

Television

While I love watching box sets of The Originals or Game of Thrones, I have to say children’s television is quite fascinating too.

I absolutely love In the Night Garden.  I came across it when Ashton was about 4 months old.   It always seemed to calm him down and most often would send him to sleep.  Now he’s a bit older he likes to sit on my knee and watch it, he got quite concerned when the ball hit the pinky ponk and the tumbliboos fell on the floor.  Yes I do know what a pinky ponk and a tumbliboo is!

Andy’s Safari Adventures and Something Special are also really good, better than some of programmes after 7pm actually.   Hubby was gutted that Mr Tumble filmed an episode of Something Special in Saltwell Park and he missed it (I’m sure he meant he missed taking Ashton to see it).

Our leisure activities have changed a bit since our grandson came along but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’re looking for more activities to do with your grandchildren then check out these 25 Fun Winter Activities … I’m definitely going to try some of them!

Disclaimer: The physical activity contained within this resource may not fit your specific situation. It is your responsibility to decide whether to carry out the activity at all and, if you do, to ensure that the activity is safe for those participating. You are responsible for carrying out proper risk assessments on the activities and for providing appropriate supervision, including changing the activities as appropriate. We are not responsible for the health and safety of your group or environment so we cannot accept liability for any loss suffered by anyone undertaking any activity referred to or described in this resource. It is also your responsibility to ensure that you or the organisation you are organising it for has the relevant insurance to carry out the physical activity. If you are unsure in any way, we recommend that you take guidance from a suitably qualified professional. You may also wish to take guidance as to whether and how participants should warm up before taking part in any activity, and carefully assess any environmental risks and be sure participants have a safe space in which to take part. By using this resource, you acknowledge that it is the responsibility of supervising adults to ensure the safety of children in their care.