Games to Play with Grandchildren

Ah, grandkids – those little bundles of energy that keep us young at heart, even when our bodies beg to differ. As a grandparent, you know that one minute, you're basking in the peaceful quiet, and the next, a tiny tornado sweeps through, leaving a trail of giggles and chaos in its wake.

To help calm the storm, here are some super fun printable games to play with grandchildren with twists and ideas to keep them (and you) amused for hours. 

10 Top games to play with grandchildren @grannymaze

With a few of these clever printable games up your sleeve, you'll have your grandkids eating out of the palms of your hands (well, not literally... that would be unsanitary). From old classics like bingo and crossword puzzles to storytelling quiz games and scavenger hunts with a twist, these fun-filled activities below will help cement your "Grandma or Grandpa of the Year" status. 

This is my favorite I SPY game (instantly downloadable) that'll turn the hidden image scavenger hunt adventure into quality time with your grandkids! 

'I Spy' Hidden Image Scavenger Hunt Game

Classic Old Games to Play with Grandchildren

Bingo, Anyone?

Bingo is an ideal printable option for bonding with your grandkids! The game entails marking off numbers or images on the bingo cards as they're randomly called out and trying to get a winning pattern like five in a row. It's easy to play but takes a little preparation. 

To play the printable version, you'll need bingo cards customized with whatever visuals or numbers that will engage your grandchild the most. For ages 3-5, use large, recognizable pictures like animals, shapes, or favorite characters instead of numbers. Call them out clearly and let the kids cover the matching images on their card.

Kids aged 5-8 can start transitioning to number-based bingo cards, helping reinforce number recognition and basic math skills. Mix it up by using colors, letter-number combinations, or simple math problems to call out. For grandkids aged 8-12, create themed bingo cards related to their current interests like sports, books, movies or music.

No matter their age, bingo promotes listening skills, concentration, and best of all - quality time cheering together when you or they yell "Bingo!" Grab some fun markers, stickers, or small treats to use as covers, and you've got an endlessly adaptable game night option.

And by "covers", I mean the markers, stickers or small treats that you would use to cover up or mark off the numbers or images on the bingo cards as they are called out during gameplay.

Most bingo sets come with translucent colored discs or paper markers that players place over the called numbers or images on their cards. When playing a printed homemade version with kids, using fun stickers, small candies, snacks, or even dry erase markers to "cover" the spots can make it more engaging and exciting for them.

So, I'm suggesting having some small stickers, treats like M&Ms or Skittles, or washable markers on hand to use as the "covers" that get placed on the bingo cards, instead of traditional bingo chips or markers. It adds a tactile, interactive element that kids often enjoy when playing printable bingo games at home.

The Timeless Appeal of Hangman

A printable hangman game is one of the simplest games to play with grandchildren. One player picks a word, phrase or saying, and draws a series of dashes representing the letters. The other player suggests letters, trying to guess the word before the hangman diagram is completed!

To play, you'll just need to print out some hangman templates and grab a pencil or pen. For younger kids ages 3-5, stick to short 3-4 letter words related to their interests like pets, toys or foods. Make it even easier by giving letter hints along the way. Ages 5-8 can graduate to longer words and simple phrases, while keeping the subject's fun and age appropriate.

Older grandkids from 8-12 will get a kick out of challenging multi-word phrases, movie titles or inside jokes between you two. Up the ante by setting categories or having them try to stump you! Pro tip: throw in some silly words or inside jokes to keep things interesting. Who knows, you might even learn a new slang term or two from those hip grandkids of yours.

No matter their age, hangman games encourage literacy, problem-solving and bonding through playful turns guessing letters. The options are endless for putting a smile on their face!

And now let me share with you my top 10 FUN printable games to play with grandchildren that you can play today.

10 Fun Printable Games to Play with Your Grandchildren

1. Customized Crossword Puzzles

Create crossword puzzles filled with words and clues related to your grandchild's interests, inside jokes, or family memories.

A customized printable crossword puzzle is one of the best games to play with grandchildren that can be tailored to their age and interests. Create themed crosswords with clues related to their favorite things. Use pictures for ages 3-5, simple words and characters for 5-8, and clever wordplay for 8-12. You can use plain grid paper and solve the puzzles together using just a pen or pencil.

Let the hints you write spark conversation and create new memories. The personalization will make it a more engaging game to play with them.

If spending the day making a crossword puzzle is not your idea of fun >> click here

2. Personalized Word Searches

Design word searches with names of family members, favorite toys, books, or TV shows hidden within.

A personalized word search is one of the most adaptable games to play with grandchildren, tailoring the hidden words to their current interests - toy names for ages 3-5, favorite books or TV shows for 5-8, or inside jokes and teen idols for 8-12 year olds. With just a printed grid and pencil, you can make it competitive by racing or go at a relaxed pace, working together to connect over shared hobbies while building vocabulary. 

>> Click here for fun printable word search games.

3. Memory Match Game

Print out matching pairs of cards featuring pictures of your grandchild's favorite characters, animals, or objects.

A printable memory match game is one of the easiest games to play with grandchildren of all ages. Print out a set of cards with matching pairs of images - for ages 3-5 use large, simple pictures of objects, animals or shapes. Kids 5-8 will enjoy matching favorite characters, toys or games. And for 8-12 year olds, get creative with matching memes, trends or inside jokes you both share.

Lay out the cards face down, then take turns flipping over two at a time, trying to find matches while working on memory skills.

4. Storytelling Prompts

10 Questions to Get to Know Your Grandchildren Better @grannymaze

These questions not only help you learn more about your grandchild's interests, dreams, and personality but also open up opportunities for meaningful conversations and bonding moments.

5. Scavenger Hunt

Printable scavenger hunt games are the perfect way to get grandkids of all ages engaged and having fun! The basic premise is simple - print out a colorful sheet with images, objects, or words hidden within a busy scene or collage. Then take turns challenging each other to find those hidden elements. You can add clues or riddles to make it more challenging.

For younger kids ages 3-5, start with simpler scavenger hunts featuring larger, more obvious images like common animals, shapes, or basic objects. Make it into an "I Spy" game by giving clues (see below I SPY game). For ages 5-8, increase the difficulty with smaller, more intricate pictures and incorporate their interests like favorite characters or toys. Ages 8-12 can handle complex scenes with tons of tiny, cleverly camouflaged images and objects to spot.

No matter the age, these scavenger hunts encourage focus, observation, and cognitive skills all while allowing quality bonding time. You'll need just a printer, some printouts, and a packet of fun stickers or a dry erase marker to mark off finds. Taking turns and working together makes it collaborative fun! Adjust the gameplay for different abilities - race against the clock, see who can find the most, or simply relax and scavenge at your own pace.

6. I Spy Printables

Design "I Spy" pages with busy scenes or collages, challenging your grandchild to find specific objects, symbols or colors. Or anything they love - dogs, cats, horses, bugs. You can even use the alphabet, depending on their age. Find some big colorful images to cut out or print out and make a collage. Set aside an afternoon to prepare or...

I've got a super fun hidden image I Spy scavenger hunt for you to play.

This hidden image scavenger hunt is a vibrant, busy collage with cleverly concealed objects related to dogs just waiting to be spotted. From doggy toys to everyday items, the checklist of 22 images will put your eagle eyes to the ultimate test. But more than just sharpening observation skills, it's an opportunity to spark laughter, create cherished memories, and strengthen that special grandparent-grandchild bond through the shared excitement of the hunt.

Print it out, gather your favorite little dog lover (or do it yourself), and get ready for an entertaining experience.

Bonus points if you make up your own hidden clues or riddles to really get those little noggins working.

7. Connect the Dots

Print out connect the dots pictures that reveal a fun image when completed, or let your grandchild create their own designs.

8. Coloring Pages

Find or create coloring pages featuring your grandchild's favorite characters, scenes, or patterns, and color them in together.

9. Trivia Quiz

Prepare trivia questions about your grandchild's interests, family history, or general knowledge to test their skills.

Trivia Time with a Twist

Trivia games are a fantastic way to flex those brain muscles, but let's be real – they can get a tad boring for the youngsters. That's why we're adding a twist! Print out some trivia cards, but instead of just answering the questions, have them act out the answers in a silly charade-style game. Who knows, you might just discover your grandchild's hidden talent for theatrics!

To get you started, here are two places for super fun charade games and a super fun Holiday Charades game on Amazon. And of course, our whole trivia section!

10. Mad Libs

Create personalized Mad Libs stories with blank spaces for nouns, verbs, and adjectives that your grandchild can fill in for hilarious results. Sound too hard? These are super fun...

The Moments That Become Tradition

You know, as I sit here reminiscing, I can't help but think back to the days when my own grandkids were just tiny tots. My grandson, Timmy, was a real bundle of energy – always bouncing off the walls and getting into mischief. But one rainy afternoon, we stumbled upon a printable game that changed everything.

It was a simple word search, but instead of using random words, we filled it with inside jokes, nicknames, and memories we'd shared together. At first, Timmy was skeptical – "Word searches are for old people, Grandma!" he exclaimed, rolling his eyes.

But as we started playing, something magical happened. Each word we uncovered was like unlocking a door to a cherished memory, and before we knew it, we were swapping stories and laughing until our sides hurt. That simple printable game has transformed into a cherished tradition, a way for us to connect and create new memories while reminiscing about the old ones.

And that's the beauty of printable games to play with grandchildren. They're not just a way to pass the time, they're a gateway to something far more precious - a FUN reason to spend some quality time together.

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