Father's Day With Grandfathers: Ten Ways To Help Your Kids Celebrate Grandpa

The bond between a grandfather and his grandchildren is often unlike any other relationship. Here are ten ideas for helping your kids celebrate and honor Grandpa this Father's Day.

1. Ask each of the grandkids to draw a picture of themselves enjoying time with Grandpa and to include a note letting him know how they feel about him. This can be an annual tradition, and you can showcase the letters and drawings in a special keepsake album.

2. Write a letter to your father or father-in-law to let him know how you feel about him and about his role as grandfather. Tell him what you admire about him and the kind of effect he has had on his grandchildren. Talk about his legacy as a man and as a grandfather.

3. Take a family photograph and have it framed in a beautiful setting that would match the favorite room of his home. This can be a professional family portrait or a collage of candids, depending on his personal tastes.

4. Give Grandpa his favorite photo in a unique photo gift. Photo processing websites offer everything from mousepads to coffee cups to playing cards, and adding your favorite photo to these items takes just a few minutes and just a few clicks. These gifts are very popular because they are both practical and sentimental.

5. Take a container that relates to one of grandfather's favorite pastimes and make a treasured keepsake. First, cut out slips of paper and distribute them in the family so that everyone can write down their favorite memories with grandpa. Then put all of these memories in an inexpensive container: a new coffee cup, a fishing tacklebox, or an old cigar case.

6. Take Grandfather out to his favorite restaurant or invite him to a barbecue in your backyard on Father's Day. Research family history and present your findings to Grandpa over dinner. This can be as elaborate as researching and making a family history book, or simply doing a bit of Internet research and printing what you find.

7. If Grandpa loves gadgets, take a look at the fun ideas online at gift specialty stores. Treat him to something fun that will enrich his everyday life.

8. Books and magazines are always great gifts. Give grandpa a history book that details a time he remembers fondly or that made a particular impact on him. Or maybe he would prefer a series of books by his favorite author or on his favorite subject. You might want to look for the large print edition or the audiobook version so that grandpa can enjoy the book as he walks or does work around the house or yard.

9. Give Grandpa a box set of his favorite music or a set of DVDs from his favorite movie genre.

10. Bake up a batch of grandfather's favorite brownies, cookies, or other sweet treats (make sure to enlist the help of the kids.)