If your kids live a distance away from their grandparents, it’s important for both the kids and their Nanas and Papas to stay connected — and these creative ways to keep kids in touch with grandparents are just the ticket!
Because of our jobs, my husband and I live away from our families, so our kids have had to build a different kind of relationship with their grandparents. The good news is they’re still very close, because we make regular contact and find different ways to stay in touch even when we can’t visit.
If you’re looking for ways to keep kids in touch with grandparents when a visit isn’t possible, here are some great suggestions.
You May Also Enjoy The Special Role of Grandparents in Our Lives
Easy Ways to Keep Kids In Touch With Grandparents
Phone Calls
Ok, I know this sounds a bit obvious, but with all the communication tools and technology we have, it’s sometimes easy to forget about actually making a voice call!
Grandparents love to hear the sound of their grandchildren’s voices, and they’re the generation that grew up with the good old telephone after all.
Video Calls
Video calls are easier than ever these days, with options like FaceTime, WhatsApp video, Zoom or Google Meet. My mum and I have even tried Facebook Messenger’s video call option, and it worked reasonably well too.
You May Also Enjoy Why Grandparents Are Important For Childhood
Write a Letter
Go really old school and get your child to write a letter to post to Grandma and Grandpa. I guarantee this will be treasured!
If your child isn’t writing yet, they could draw a picture or make handprint art to post instead. Posting a letter in the letterbox is also a novelty for children — we just don’t send or receive letters the way we used to.
Send a Postcard
Shorter and quicker to write than a letter, a postcard can still be a lovely surprise for grandparents to receive. It’s a small gesture that takes minutes but means a lot.
You May Also Enjoy 21 Wonderful Reasons Why Grandparents Are The Best
Send a Greeting Card
There are several online companies, such as Moonpig and Funky Pigeon, which offer a paid greeting card service. You choose the card you want, personalise it with a message, pay online, and they’ll post it out to your chosen recipient.
Send an eCard
If your parents are on email, there are eCard services your child can use to send an eCard to their grandparents. 123greetings.com and BlueMountain.com offer free ecards, and there are paid services like Hallmarkecards.com too.
Write an Email
If your child is old enough to type, why not set them up with an email address (or use yours) to email their grandparents? Most kids aren’t really used to using email, so this is a novelty for them too — and checking the inbox to see if Grandpa replied is fun!
Record a Video
Why not have your child record a little video for their grandparents? It could be them chatting, telling a story, singing a song, sharing an activity, or showing off a drawing or LEGO creation.
You can host videos privately on YouTube or Vimeo so that only the person who receives the video link can view it.
Record a Voice Message
For something a bit different, why not record an audio or voice message from your child? Most smartphones offer a recording option, or you can record on a laptop or computer and send it by email.
Send SMS
I’m sure this seems obvious again, but your child might enjoy texting Grandma and/or Grandpa on your phone if they’re too young to have their own. Why not suggest they use only emojis for their next text and see if Grandma and Grandpa can reply in emoji too!
Chat on iMessage or WhatsApp
Free chat options abound nowadays, whether it’s iMessage (if both sender and recipient have Apple products) or WhatsApp, both very popular for keeping in touch with family members.
Send a Mini Care Package
Does your child’s grandparent have a favourite sweet treat? Put together a mini care package to post to them. Include some drawings from your child, maybe a printed recent photo of them, and little things to make them smile when they open it.
Make a Movie
Maybe your child would enjoy making a movie to send to their grandparents. iMovie is fun if you have an iPhone or iPad, and they could even dress up and write a script for it.
Or if you have an unused digital video camera, why not set them loose with it?
Make a Photo Sequence
Get your child to pick out some recent photos and put together a little photo story to send to Nana and Papa — these could be printed or sent electronically. Have your child write little descriptions of what’s going on in each photo.
Make a Shared Photo Album
Create a shared photo album that grandparents can access and add photos to. You can set up shared albums with Apple or Google Photos.
Create a Story
Your child might like to create a story for their grandparents, and maybe even illustrate it. It could be about something they’ve been doing, or a completely made-up story with them as the hero.
Or maybe you could play Consequences by chat or email!
Make a Shared Playlist
You can create a collaborative playlist on services like Spotify, where the playlist owner can give other users access to add tracks too. It’s a fun way to share favourite songs across generations.
Create a Family Tree Together
Have your child interview one or both of their grandparents, and write or draw the stories they tell about their childhood and other relatives.
Older kids could put together a family tree with the help of their grandparents.
Play a Game Together Online
This could be a real board game like Boggle played over a video call, where each person can see the game and writes down their own list of words.
Or it could be a game app like Words With Friends, where you take turns playing each other.
You May Also Enjoy 15 Fabulous Gift Ideas for Grandparents
What other suggestions do you have for ways to keep kids in touch with grandparents when you can’t visit them? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy ways to keep kids in touch with grandparents who live far away?
Phone calls, video chats, letters, postcards and shared photo albums are all simple, low-cost ways to stay connected. The best option often depends on your child’s age and how comfortable your grandparents are with technology.
How can young children who can’t write yet stay in touch with grandparents?
Younger children can draw pictures, make handprint art, record a short voice message, or “chat” on a video call. Grandparents love hearing their voices and seeing their creations just as much as reading a written note.
What’s a good way to make video calls more fun for kids?
Try turning the call into an activity — reading a book together, playing a simple game like Boggle, or having your child show off a toy, drawing or LEGO creation. It keeps younger children engaged for longer.
How often should kids stay in touch with their grandparents?
There’s no fixed rule — little and often tends to work best. A quick weekly call or message can keep the relationship strong, even between bigger visits.
Related Articles
- The Special Role of Grandparents in Our Lives
- Why Grandparents Are Important For Childhood
- 21 Wonderful Reasons Why Grandparents Are The Best
- 15 Fabulous Gift Ideas for Grandparents
- How to Make a Family Tree for Kids
Save These Ideas
Loved these ideas for keeping kids close to their grandparents? Bookmark this page or share it with family so you’ve got a ready list of ideas next time you’re planning a call, a letter, or a little surprise in the post.
Get More Family Ideas Every Week
Want more simple, creative ideas for family life delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly activities, tips and inspiration for keeping your family connected.
