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Looking for ideas on interacting with grandchildren

Posted: Jan 2, 2017

My grandson is 10, and a very smart young man. All he is into is computer games, iPad, etc. He will watch a movie on TV if it is something he is interested in, or go to the movies with us when he visits. Besides that, what do we do? He does not like board games (they are not on the computer). Card games do not last long either. Looking for ways to entertain him, interact with him when he visits that does not involve the computer. Any ideas? We live in a very small town so no museums, etc.

;

Geek? - enigma

[ In Reply To ..]
http://www.instructables.com/id/radioshack/

Does he totally geek out, or just totally tune out? If he geeks, go there with him.

You can create a back-to-basics thing, too. Cook. Challenge him to plan, shop, and make a meal for under $30.

Khan Academy has a coding/programming module. If you're on the computer, he could be, too. But being productive. ;)

Also... - enigma

[ In Reply To ..]
You said "we" - is hubby handy? Can he teach him how to do stuff? Build a bird house? Look to Home Depot or Lowes for kid friendly ideas.

These (below) may be too elementary for him. But what if he were to DESIGN, draft and build his own?

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Kids-project-kits-Kids-tools-building-kits-Outdoor-games-toys-Playsets-recreation-Outdoors/4294607589

I dunno. Don't sell yourself short. Grandparents have TONS to offer. AND they have the password to the wifi. LMAO with VBEG. :)

Other question - will he be bringing some of his stuff with him?

Legos - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
My son was the same way. They have Lego sets for space ships, and other types of things like that. Minds such as his love those types of things. Also any kind of engineering type puzzle. He may like to go to the book store. I used to take my son to the library and bookstore and he loved browsing the titles and getting a brownie at the coffee shop. Also if he likes star trek or star wars, you can cue those up on demand and help him collect or create props. My son used to make paper diagrams of star ships, etc. Just some ideas because my son was the same way. His interest in legos and the types of things I mentioned earned him the ability to do well in school and get into a science magnet. Have fun and encourage this intellectual mind. Also enjoy while they are young. My son is 16 now and won't do anything with me. lol. Have fun!

Build something. I know exactly where to go. Thanks guys. - OP no message

[ In Reply To ..]
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Here's another idea... - PandaBear

[ In Reply To ..]
Go to a Goodwill or maybe check with some neighbors and friends and pick up an old desktop CPU, radio, television...anything electronic that no longer works. Have some tools on hand that would work for taking things apart. A 10-yo will spend hours doing that and having a blast at it!

I actually had an overnight party with 14 boys under the age of 12, and I prepared for this beforehand. I had a couple of big boxes full of "items" and some tools I had picked up at the dollar store - they literally spent four hours sharing tools, comparing parts, and discussing how this worked and how that worked. The next morning, their "party gift" was a bag full of springs, motherboards, screws, etc., and a set of the inexpensive tools from the dollar store. You never saw a happier bunch of boys!

Well, the pizza and soda didn't hurt either. LOL

[PS: Great idea for a birthday party!]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! - Mary

[ In Reply To ..]
That is one of the BEST ideas I've ever heard (or read or whatever)! Holy cow. And, I have a 16-year-old granddaughter who is very screened focused (like everyone in their generation). However, she is curious about things. I'm going to pick up some old things at Goodwill and try that idea with her. She always picks on me when I tell her about my remembering when color TV came out, etc.

And, I have a 1-year-old grandson who will enjoy this gadget exploration when he is old enough.

I can't thank you enough for sharing this!

I LOVE this idea! So glad you posted it! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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