6 Ways To Spoil Your Grandchildren While on Social Security

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The urge to indulge grandchildren just comes with the territory of being grandparents. It’s easy in this social-media driven day to want to buy your grandchildren everything they want, all the latest gadgets and toys and electronics. However, for retired grandparents, especially those largely living on Social Security income, this can be challenging.

While some grandparents go to great lengths to support their grandchildren, such as delaying retirement and even taking on debt, you don’t have to do so. If you don’t have a lot of funds to work with, the good news is that there are numerous ways you can show love, support and even buy them things or contribute financially to your grandchildren.

Here are six ways to do so.

Arrange Outdoors Experiences

There’s probably nothing more meaningful and easier to arrange than experiences instead of things. The world abounds with free opportunities that kids love. Parks, beaches and natural settings are a great place to start. Build forts at the beach out of driftwood, hunt for lizards in the woods or take out bikes, wagons or just walk a beautiful natural trail. If you establish these kinds of experiences when your grandchildren are young, they may still want to do them with you as they become young adults.

Take Them on a Movie Date

The great thing about being of a certain age is that you can take advantage of senior discounts wherever you go, such as most movie theaters. If your grandchild is still young enough to get a child discount on a movie ticket, you can take them to their favorite new flick and really save. Splurge on some tasty treats at the counter. If it’s a movie with a great soundtrack, maybe you buy it for them or pay for a month’s subscription to whatever music app they listen to. You’ll make memories and enjoy a day or evening out together without spending big bucks.

Make DIY Crafts

Even if you’re not a crafty person, grandchildren are often masters of taking simple supplies and turning them into craft masterpieces. Stores like Dollar Tree and Walmart make craft supplies affordable — and you don’t even have to invest in fancy kits. Just get some basics like paints, popsicle sticks, old paper towel or toilet paper rolls and so on. Set your grandchildren on a scavenger hunt to find items in nature or inside your house to put toward a craft. DIY tutorials abound online, as well, so you’ll have no shortage of ideas to draw from if imaginations run blank.

Curate Library or Museum Dates

Local libraries are more than just a place to check out books. Many have fun activities for kids of all ages, from story-times to teen writing workshops and much in between. Investigate the offerings at a library near you or your grandchild, and plan a day together. Also, local museums and discovery centers often have senior and child discounts on tickets — stay abreast of fun exhibits coming to town and plan for a day when there’s something your grandchild will be interested in. Top it off with a picnic or homemade lunch or dinner.

Engage In Your Grandchildren’s Favorite Activities

If you’re not entirely sure what your grandchild’s favorite things to do are, start gleaning that info now so that you can find a way to participate. Do they love anime, and there’s an anime convention coming to a town nearby? Do they play Pokémon GO? Even if these might not be your favorite activities, meeting your grandchild where they are in their passions can feel meaningful and strengthen your bond.

Teach Them Something

Do you have a passion or interest that you know well enough to share it with your grandchildren? Maybe you’re involved in woodworking, horseback riding, dancing, you speak another language or any variety of interests or skills. Passing on knowledge and talents is something a grandchild will take into the future. 

Even if you don’t have a particular talent or passion, if you see that your grandchild does, you can help them foster it. Take them to their dance lessons, show up for their band performances, take them to an astronomy show. 

While it’s lovely to want to buy your grandchildren things, what matters most is the love, time and attention you bring to them.

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