For Grandparents to send to Grandchildren:

When eating in restaurants, save your placemat and write a message on them to your grandchild.

Write a message on/in a balloon.

Write a mystery letter in invisible ink (milk, etc.)with instructions on how the child can make the words appear.

Tape record yourself reading a favorite/age appropriate story put in beeps, or chimes to indicate when to turn the pages. Send the book and the tape together, addressed to the child.

Share your recipe for a family favorite (cookies, spaghetti sauce, etc.)-something your grandchild or their parent(s) likes to eat.

Find a picture of your grandchild's parent(s) when he or she was the same age as your grandchild now.

Write a story about how you and your family spent the holidays when you were young - to introduce grandchildren to ancestors they never had a chance to meet.

Collect mementos to explain the history of your family: use an album or notebook.

Arrange for a "Call Me Card" in your grandchild's name.

For Grandchildren and Grandparents to exchange:

Send photographs/videos of yourself doing favorite activities; write a story about the picture.

Plant a tree or plant in honor of a child/grandparent; take pictures to show how tall it has grown; if possible, send along a cutting to grow a "twin" at the other end of the line.

For Parents and Grandchildren to send to Grandparents:

Create a height chart decorated with drawings and send yearly updates.

Start an original story, send it to the grandparents to write the next chapter. When the story is sent back, add chapter three and so on.

Have child make a collage of what grandparents mean to him or her using pictures, magazines, cards, etc.

Tape record the grandchild's and parent(s) voice while singing, talking about life, reciting poems, reading an orginal story, sending a special message to grandparents. (Perhaps these can be mailed at special times of the year like birthdays or holidays).

A child can write a message on the back of homework samples.

Frame a child's art work for a special gift.

Babies and toddlers can get into the act too, by sharing prints of their hands or feet, on paper, plaster, and t-shirt(s), etc.

Add your ideas/suggestions to the list by e-mailing: orphaned@netscape.net

Updated: 11/20/2000

ref: Creative Grandparenting Inc.