I’d say a safe one is movies (although the 12 year old going 18 might be hard to satisfy with a kids movie); for more adventurous and if you’re up to it, a walk, The older one could have a bike and go ahead and come back? then if you’re up for driving there are outings to free or cheap places they don’t normally go (even parks and shops) just to have a look around and maybe an ice cream treat

Kids of all ages love playing bubbles. Card games and board games are great for the older ones. Role plays are also terrific. For example, the older ones can be the shop keepers and the younger ones can buy groceries….the older ones can be teachers and the younger ones the students. Cooking. The older ones could help the younger ones make cookies. I think u are amazing to mind all your grandchildren at the same time. When everyone, including yourself, are tired, then a DVD movie afternoon with popcorn.

I think it depends where your skills and knowledge are. Grandparents are great sources to learn specific craft skill. An example is knitting, where the youngest can learn to use a Knitting Nancy, the middle aged ones can learn a pearl stitch and the elder ones can start with a pearl stitch and can learn more complex stitches to make a garment.

For our children, their favorite thing in the world to do with grandmothers is cooking, the older ones using knife and other fine motor skills whilst the younger ones use more basic skills of stirring, mixing, and using equipment with assistance.

With grandad it is definitely gardening. Helping with fruit and vegetable gardening and then brining in cut flowers for the home. It is also a great food connection.

I guess the question is what can you teach them that Mum and Dad might not have time for or the skills in?

I think it friends where your skills and knowledge are. Grandparents are great sources to learn specific craft skill. An example is knitting, where the youngest can learn to use a Knitting Nancy, the middle aged ones can learn a pearl stitch and the elder ones can start with a pearl stitch and can learn more complex stitches to make a garment.

For our children, their favorite thing in the world to do with grandmothers is cooking, the older ones using knife and other fine motor skills whilst the younger ones use more basic skills of stirring, mixing, and using equipment with assistance.

With grandad it is definitely gardening. Helping with fruit and vegetable gardening and then brining in cut flowers for the home.

I guess the question is what can you teach them that Mum and Dad might not have time for or the skills in?

Old fashioned board games, jigsaw puzzles, and movies.

Any sort of craft and their parents will love you for doing the messy stuff at your house and not theirs!

Also; a good way to satisfy all four is a DVD/movie lounge picnic. Everyone can help according to age to make and prepare snacks and set up the lounge for a picnic. Children can usually agree on watching a movie in an appropriate genre, animated, Disney, G rated etc.

Mine are 13, 12, 9, 8, 7,and 3 years old. Something what they like all is a good park / playground. When it’s a playground with bike / scooter ramp the older ones can bring their bikes and scooters and the younger ones can play in the playground. When you bring a picnic blanket and basket or maybe a bbq, I’m sure that everyone has fun.
Another one that is always successful here is the beach. Boing Central (trampoline place).
Crafting is fun too. Yesterday we went to Bunnings and my kids got those free paint sample cards ad are making little houses for their LPS’s. Get the older ones make homemade playdough for the younger ones.
Movie nights with popcorn. Camping in the garden. Cooking and baking. Face paint each other. Building a hut inside or outside. Bushwalk with animal and bird watching. And every now and then mine go for the good old hide and seek in the house
Enjoy !

They will no doubt have energy to use and the park is always a good idea for an outing activity. There should be age appropriate play equipment for each age and it is a good spot for a picnic after playing and being exhausted. For indoor activities – art and craft is always good and gives them hours of fun. Art and craft supplies can be bought at reasonably cheap prices if you look around at the shops. Play dough is fabulous too for hours of creativity and fun and it can be made easily at home. Maybe look at the arts and crafts section on this site for lots of ideas too? Have fun!

Get them in the kitchen with you to help bake some treats! Cakes, slices, muffins etc, they’ll love it! Helping with Christmas decoration set up can be lots of fun too maybe take them to a park nearby if you have one

Basically, they’ll enjoy activities as long as theyte with you. I would think time in the kitchen helping cook. Maybe some gardening. A long walk and picnic. Cubby house building. Movie marathons. Have fun and enjoy, I’m very jealous

Thank you I need lots of help xxx

Provide them with cardboard boxes, blankets, pillows.. And let them build a cubby house. Maybe while the small ones do that, you could bake something in the kitchen (cookies, cupcakes..) with the older ones and then ask the youngest to join in for the decorations.