Grandparents Day is coming up on September 7, and what better way to celebrate than by spending time outdoors together? The best part of these activities isn’t the garden harvest or the crafts you make—it’s the time spent together. Gardens and nature provide the perfect backdrop for slowing down, sharing stories, and building memories.
As a grandmother myself, I know how quickly the years pass. My granddaughters are now 22 and 20, and my grandson will soon be 13. Some of my favorite moments have been spent with my three grandchildren—whether we were planting something new in the garden, collecting eggs, finding frogs and worms, or our trips to the beach walking along the shore finding shells.
Gardening and nature don’t require much—just time together—and they’re such a wonderful way to connect across generations. Whether you’re planting seeds, going on a nature scavenger hunt, or cooking with homegrown vegetables, these activities give kids and grandparents a chance to slow down, laugh together, and maybe even pass along a little garden wisdom.
My sweet Mackenzie and Kendall planting bulbs when they were little.
1. Plant Something Together
Choose quick-growing seeds like radishes, lettuce, or herbs. Even if you don’t have a big garden, pots on the porch or windowsill work just fine. Kids love seeing something sprout and grandparents can share their favorite gardening tips. Plant a pollinator garden, and let them identify the butterflies and bees and Learn how important they are to the garden.
2. Create a Garden Journal
Give the kids a notebook and let them decorate the cover. Together, record what you planted, when it sprouted, and draw pictures of what you see in the garden. Grandparents can add little stories about what they grew when they were young.
3. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Head outside with a simple list: a red leaf, a smooth rock, a yellow flower, a feather. Kids will love checking things off, and grandparents can share fun facts along the way.
You may have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the right prince. These girls were never afraid to get a close up look of frogs and bugs.
4. Harvest and Cook a Meal
If you’ve got vegetables or herbs in the garden, harvest them together and head to the kitchen. Make a simple salad, herb butter, or even a fresh salsa. Cooking with what you’ve grown teaches kids where their food comes from—and makes mealtime extra special.
5. Build a Bug Hotel
Stack sticks, pinecones, and bits of bark into a small box or flowerpot. Place it in a quiet corner of the garden to welcome pollinators and beneficial insects. It’s a hands-on project that encourages curiosity and care for nature.
6. Press Flowers or Leaves
Gather flowers and leaves, then press them in a heavy book. After a week or so, they’ll be ready to use for bookmarks, cards, or framed art. Grandparents might enjoy sharing how they did this as children, passing along a timeless tradition.
7. Storytime in the Garden
Spread a blanket in the shade, bring out a basket of books, and enjoy story time surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. Grandparents can also tell their own stories from childhood—no book needed.
The best part of these activities isn’t the end result—it’s the time spent together. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate planned out activity. It can be as simple as walking in rain puddles.
or skipping stones across the lake.
This year is extra special for my grandson Miller. Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a bone cancer in his leg, last July, he has just completed a year of chemotherapy. His port was recently removed, and on September 15 he’ll celebrate by ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment. He will be the big 13 this month.
Even if you don’t have children or grandchildren, please don’t take for granted the time you have with family and friends. Every walk in the garden, every shared story, every laugh is a gift.
Gardens and nature provide the perfect backdrop for slowing down, sharing stories, and building memories. This Grandparents Day, head outside and enjoy some simple fun that kids and grandparents alike will treasure.
Here’s a couple of ideas for enjoying nature this Grandparent’s Day.
Garden & Nature Scavenger Hunt
Grandparents Day Edition
Take a walk through the yard, garden, or park with your grandparent. See how many of these treasures you can find. Check them off as you go!
✅ A flower that’s yellow
✅ Something that smells good
✅ A bug with wings
✅ A smooth rock
✅ Something shaped like a heart (leaf, stone, or cloud!)
✅ A bird or feather
✅ A seed or acorn
✅ Something crawling on the ground
✅ A vegetable or herb growing in the garden
✅ Something tiny (ant, pebble, bud)
✅ A leaf bigger than your hand
✅ Something that makes you smile
Or you can save and print this scavenger hunt sheet to take with you.
Happy Grandparent’s Day
Karen
You can also grab this Plant A Pizza Garden Ebook
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