5 Fun Hobbies to Enjoy with the Young Ones

To celebrate National Hobby Month, we've been discussing hobbies, and last week we delved into just a few of the mental and physical benefits hobbies have to offer. Did you try a new hobby this week?

If you have grandkids, nieces, nephews, or Godchildren, why not pick a hobby you can enjoy together.

These days kids spend so much time on their electronic devices, which makes it harder for grandparents to connect with their grandkids, nieces, or nephews. Intergenerational family connections are important, and exploring a hobby together is a wonderful way to spend some one-on-one time together nurturing that connection.

Need a few ideas? Here's a look at five fun hobbies that are perfect for grandparents and the young ones in our lives.

1 – Gardening – Most kids enjoy playing in the dirt, making gardening a fun hobby to try together. Set up a plot of soil or if you're short on space, a container garden works well, too. You'll be able to pass on lessons in responsibility and patience, and you may even get your kids excited about eating veggies.

2 – Model Building – It's always fun to create something from nothing, and model building is challenging and exciting for people of all ages. Whether you and your child are interested in trains, boats, cars, or planes, there are models available for every skill level.

3 – Scrapbooking – You want to make memories with your kids, so why not spend some time preserving memories together with creativity. Scrapbooking offers a way for you to get to know each other better as you reflect on some of your most treasured moments and share your life stories.

4 – Nature Photography – Spending time out with nature is great for both of you. Nature photography makes you stop and appreciate the beauty all around you. Take time to photograph nature together, and even when you’re apart, it’s easy to share your photos with each other so you stay connected.

5 – Collecting – If your grandchild lives far away, starting a collecting together is an exciting way for you to connect. Whether it's dolls, stamps, coins, rocks, or baseball cards, you can both collect in your own area and admire each other's collections when you reconnect. Share your recent finds via email, text message, or video chat for some extra time together.

Try one of these hobbies with your grandkids to celebrate National Hobby Month. Looking for more great hobby ideas? Next week we'll be talking about some unique hobbies that can spice up your life after retirement. You don't want to miss it!