This wonderful season is a great time to carve out time to spend with your grandchildren – and carve a few pumpkins! Even in Florida, with daily temperatures in the low 80s, it feels positively delightful.
Here are some ways to forge bonds with your grandchildren:
- Spend the day at the beach. Fortunately, the ocean is still warm enough in Florida’s fall to swim in. You can also play frisbee or Kadima (beach paddleball) and of course, make sure you pack a nice picnic. A day at the beach is inexpensive and builds awesome memories.
- Go fishing. It’s a great way to spend quality together, plus it’s fun and relaxing – just remember to bring some good snacks!
- It’s an enjoyable activity and also gives you an opportunity to teach your grandchildren about botany.
- If it’s a rainy day, spend the afternoon at home baking. It’s a great way for children to learn how to measure things ( a cup of flour, please!); how to share; and how to enjoy something sweet together. And enjoy the fruits of your labor while watching a fun movie or going through photo albums as you regale them with stories about what it was like growing up in an analog world.
- Another great rainy-day activity is playing board games- just remember to bring something to nosh on!
If you live in Indian River County, here are some suggestions:
- The Environmental Learning Center (255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL): Your grandkids will love this. As soon as you walk onto the grounds of the ELC you’re transported into tranquility. And there’s so many things to do. There are boat eco-tours daily where you’ll explore the wonders of nature led by one of ELC’s professional naturalists. There are also guided Kayak excursions. If you prefer something land-bound, arrange for a private eco-tour ahead of time or check the ELC’s calendar and see when a group one is going on. In fact, check the calendar regardless because they offer so many programs and special events, including ethnobotany walks, the study of how people of a particular culture and region make use of native plants.
- Riverside Park (3280 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL): There is plenty to do at Riverside Park, including the jungle gym; tennis courts; and meandering walking path under the Banyan trees.
- The Vero Beach Museum of Art (3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL): Every Saturday it’s free for kids!
- Visit the Navy Seal Museum (3300 North A1AT, Fort Pierce, FL): This is an inspiring museum about the “Navy Frogmen,” the history of elite men and women who have done so much for our country.
- Riverside Children’s Theater (3280 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach, FL): Check out this gem of Vero Beach and see what productions are showing. Also, they offer fun classes and even camp.
These are just a few ideas. With so many to choose from there’s almost certainly at least one or two that will resonate with you and your grandchildren. But the one constant in all of them is the most important: spending quality time with your grandkids. Children really do appreciate this-especially in a world where everyone is so busy. And be sure to take a few photos and begin your own photo album—the old-fashioned kind that will last even if your phone dies!
