Camp Grandma: 5 Tips to Engage Kids

My grandkids live just 15 minutes away, but it might as well be the moon. Due to Covid-19, we are compelled to keep our distance.

I started Camp Grandma, a once-a-week, virtual summer crafts camp, to bridge the separation. I wanted to entertain Miss T remotely–giving her parents a break to do their work–while her little brother was engaged at preschool.

In the course of six weeks, I learned some valuable lessons about how to support and engage grandkids–whether you are separated by lockdown or geography.

Tip #1: Plan an Activity to Do Together

Have you ever tried to chat with a seven-year-old for hours on end online? You’d run out of things to say! Through Camp Grandma, Miss T and I spent many hours crafting together companionably on FaceTime.

For projects ideas, check Grandma Crafts.

Tip #2: Create Excitement for your Activities

Camp Grandma wasn’t the first craft project that Miss T and I did online together. But instead of a series of one-offs, by grouping future projects under the banner of Camp Grandma, the activities took on more importance and each seemed suddenly bigger. It also gave the projects a sense of cohesion and purpose, and created anticipation for Miss T.

I created a Camp grandma logo, working with a free site called Canva, which provides logo templates that you can customize. Mine took about an hour to design.

For each project, I planned a creative way to organize the materials because, to excite the child, presentation is key. My craft kits were made with office supplies and other items found lying about the house. Each was imprinted with the Camp Grandma logo.

Tip #3: Play a Game Together

For another way to interact with your child, play a board game together online.

I made a simple, interactive destination board game from colored cardstock squares. I turn my iPad upside down on a glass table and place the game board under the table. We both made markers from 1 to 4 to advance the play and I control the board from the floor.

Tip #4: Read a Chapter Book Together

When I learned that a friend was exploring classic literature with her 15-year-old niece, it gave me the idea to read a chapter book with Miss T.

We began the Betsy-Tacy series by Maude Hart Lovelace, books that I adored as a child.

Tip #5: You can Teach More than you Think

As we continued to spend time on a weekly basis over Camp Grandma, Miss T began to call me via FaceTime to help solve her daily challenges.

The other day, she wanted to learn to sew on a button for a project. I demonstrated, using a piece of bright red felt with a bit of white embroidery thread for contrast. Miss T was able to follow along, including learning to make a shank by winding extra thread around the button base. Setting the iPad upside-down on a glass table and working underneath the table gave her a clear view.

Miss T continues to work voluntarily on the Camp Grandma projects, although camp is over. She seems interested in embroidery so I bought her some flour sack dish towels and embroidery transfers. She’s asked for more contact paper squares to make more art hangings and she has requested materials to design more gift tags.

Grandma on Call

Often, Miss T will FaceTime me when she’s bored. And I always pick up, even if it might not be the most convenient time. Because I know one day, her life will be too busy to call grandma.

Covid-19 has been a cruel virus, keeping people apart. But it has also brought Miss T and me closer through Camp Grandma and all the projects we’ve crafted together this summer.

Coming up Next Wednesday

We’re making back-to-school lunches for Miss T’s brother, Master N, a very picky eater!

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