In our recent post Chicago Area Events for Seniors – Summer 2015 we recommended a variety of fun, local activities, from senior centers and a film series to a music series and an art fair. While these are fantastic ways to make the most of the long days, whether inside in the AC, out in the evening air, or while taking in the sun, grandkids may be looking for something a little bit different. With school out, this is a wonderful time to spend quality time with grandchildren of all ages.
Invite Them Over
The best thing about grandkids is simply spending time with them, sharing space and enjoying their energy. Invite them over and look through old photo albums – they love to hear stories of when their parents and grandparents were their age!
Image Source (CC BY 2.0) by Travis Swan via flickr
Whip up a batch of cookies together. Kids love to get messy in the kitchen (and can be a great help cleaning up!) Not only is this a fun, easy, inexpensive activity, at the end your home will smell like a bakery and you can share more stories over cookies and milk at the end. If the kids are a bit older or you’re feeling more ambitious, plan a whole dinner menu, shop for the ingredients and prepare it together. This is likely to be novel to kids whose parents may be too busy to involve them in food prep during the year, and is practical for you, leaving your fridge stocked for the next few nights.
The Chicago Children’s Museum
Want to take the grandkids out, but stay cool? Check out the Chicago Children’s Museum. In particular, your grandchildren will enjoy seeing their inventions come to life in the Inventing Lab, and “experiencing life in their own size” in Kids Town. Located at 700 East Grand Avenue, the museum is open all summer Sunday through Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There are exhibits suitable for all ages and seniors enjoy an entrance fee discount.
Shedd Aquarium
With their amazing aquatic show featuring soaring dolphins and dancing belugas, as well as their 4-D experience with special effects seating (think strange smells, bubbles and wind), grandkids will love the Shedd Aquarium. Located at 1200 South Lake Shore Drive and open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 or 6:00 PM each evening, Shedd Aquarium offers a huge range of activities and exhibits, including 32,000 animals, for kids of all ages. In addition, this is not an activity that only children will enjoy – the wildlife should be of interest to any parent or grandparent as well. There should be something to keep each member of your party busy all day and may even be worth a few return trips throughout the season. We recommend buying tickets or season passes online to avoid waiting in line when you get there, making the whole experience that much more of a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Assistance
Whether you stay in or go out, feel free to contact Abcor about hiring an aide to facilitate your plans if necessary. Abcor aides are professionals, highly trained to support you in whatever capacity you need, without interfering in your quality time with loved ones. There is no need to miss out on traveling to a particular exhibit or activity because you’re worried about logistics, or not feeling comfortable inviting the kids over without having help tidying up. Don’t hesitate to ask what Abcor can do to make your summer more enjoyable and your quality time with family easier and more memorable.