When grandparents introduce art into their grandkids’ lives, they’re not only encouraging fun but also supporting brain development, emotional growth, and communication skills.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, children involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to win school attendance awards. That means art isn’t just enriching—it’s empowering.
Explore Museums and Galleries Together
Taking grandkids to local art museums is a wonderful way to expose them to creativity in action. Many museums now offer interactive exhibits specifically designed for kids, blending education and hands-on discovery.
Some also include augmented reality (AR) features, allowing kids to “step into” famous paintings, see 3D animations, or explore hidden details on a tablet or smartphone. It turns a simple day out into an immersive adventure.
Play and Learn
Make art education exciting and accessible with the award-winning ArtSmiles card game, created by ArtGames.ai. Featuring multiple ways to play and optional AR and audio enhancements, ArtSmiles uses a deck of engaging cards where each smile is transformed into a different artistic style. It simplifies learning about art history and famous artists while supporting social-emotional growth.
Fun for all ages, ArtSmiles is a fantastic way to bring creativity, learning, and laughter into your time together, whether you’re at home or visiting a museum.
Create at Home: Simple Art Projects
You don’t have to leave the house to inspire creativity. Set up a “grandkid gallery” in your hallway or kitchen and display their weekly masterpieces. Explore watercolor painting, sticker mosaics, air-dry clay sculptures, or even paint-by-number kits.
For grandkids who love tech, try apps like Tayasui Sketches or Procreate Pocket, where they can experiment with brushes, colors, and digital design tools in a fun, intuitive way.
Looking to add meaning to your art? Try painting cheerful messages on rocks and leaving them around parks, playgrounds, or walking paths for others to discover. Or work on handmade cards together to send to sick children in hospitals, elderly neighbors, or local nursing homes. These small acts of kindness not only brighten someone’s day, they help teach empathy, gratitude, and compassion through creativity.
Pottery, Paint, and Memory-Making Outings
Pottery painting studios offer a chance to create something lasting while spending meaningful time together. Grandkids can decorate mugs, plates, or figurines and bring them home as keepsakes.
Check for family-friendly art classes, local art fairs, or guided painting events where kids can follow along while enjoying snacks. These shared experiences build confidence and creativity in a relaxed setting—and you walk away with both memories and masterpieces.
Dive Into the Performing Arts
Art comes to life through music, dance, and drama—and these experiences are just as meaningful as picking up a paintbrush. Take your grandkids to a puppet show, local musical, or children’s theater production. If they love to sing or dance, encourage them to perform a favorite song or choreograph a simple routine at home.
Want to participate together? Stage a family talent show in your living room, write and perform your own mini play, or make silly costumes and create your own characters. Use household props, homemade tickets, and music to make it feel official. You can even record your performance and turn it into a keepsake video for the whole family to enjoy.
If your grandchild plays an instrument, invite them to perform a “concert” for a neighbor or elderly friend. These moments build confidence and show how creativity can bring joy to others.
According to Americans for the Arts, children involved in performing arts are more likely to excel in school, demonstrate strong communication skills, and feel empowered to share their voice.
Final Brushstroke: Art Builds Stronger Bonds
Art time with your grandkids is more than just an activity. It’s a powerful way to nurture creativity, encourage confidence, and foster lifelong learning. Whether you’re exploring a museum, painting rocks, sending cards, playing ArtSmiles, or putting on a living room show, the time you spend creating together becomes part of the masterpiece of their childhood.
So grab the markers, tune the guitar, or press record on your family’s next big performance. Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving and the memories you make will be cherished forever.
Grandkids Live Far Away? Gift Creativity
If your grandkids aren’t nearby, you can still share the joy of creating together. Explore our ZestYears Art Bundle Gift Guide, filled with art kits, drawing supplies, and creative games that can be shipped directly to their home. These gifts spark imagination and offer ways to stay emotionally close, even when miles apart. Include a handwritten note or a video message to add a personal touch—they’ll treasure the thought just as much as the art supplies.
Sources:
National Endowment for the Arts
How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement
Statistic: Children involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to win school attendance awards.
Americans for the Arts
Arts Education Navigator: Facts & Figures
Statistic: Students engaged in the arts are more likely to participate in civic life, volunteer, and feel confident in school.
