This Sunday, September 13, 2020 is Grandparents Day. While it doesn’t get as much attention as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, it’s still important to make the day special. To help, our preschool in Raleigh is sharing some thoughtful craft ideas your toddler or preschooler can make for their grandparents. These can also be a way to “adopt” a grandparent – a senior citizen in your neighborhood who is maybe alone or doesn’t have family nearby.
The History of Grandparents Day
Traditionally held on the first Sunday after Labor Day, Grandparents Day is a fairly recent holiday. It all started when nine-year-old Russell Capper sent a letter to then-President Richard Nixon suggesting a special day be set aside for grandparents. On June 12, 1969, he received a letter from Rose Mary Woods, the personal secretary to the President, saying,
“Dear Russell, Thank you for your letter to President Nixon. Your suggestion regarding a Grandparent’s Day is appreciated, but the President ordinarily issues proclamations designating periods for special observance only when a Congressional resolution authorizes him to do so.”
That wasn’t the end of it, though. Senior activist and committee member of the West Virginia Commission on Aging and the Nursing Home Licensing Board, Marian McQuade pushed for a day to recognize grandparents. While she was successful in her home state of West Virginia, with Governor Arch Moore proclaiming May 27, 1973 as Grandparents Day, in September 1978, McQuade got a call from the White House telling her that then President Jimmy Carter signed a bill creating a national Grandparents Day beginning on the Sunday after Labor Day in 1979.
Grandparents Day Craft Ideas
Family Tree
Show your roots with a simple, sweet family tree. If you have a large family, you can make the tree as big as you want with all types of branches showing the different aunts, uncles, and cousins, or you can keep it simple and just focus on the immediate family.
You’ll Need:
- Poster board or large sheet of cardstock (depending on how big you want to make the tree).
- Brown construction paper or a brown marker
- Multiple colors of construction paper
- Pencil
- Safety scissors
- Glue stick
- Permanent marker
Instructions:
- Trace your childrens’ hand prints on construction paper with the pencil;
- If old enough, let your child trace your hand;
- Repeat until there are enough kid and adult hand prints to represent the kids and adults you’re putting on the tree;
- Help your child cut out the hand prints and write names on them with a marker;
- Cut out a heart from a piece of red or pink paper;
- Cut out the outline of a tree trunk from brown construction paper or draw one with a brown marker. Include branches for each member of the family you’re including, making sure to put the grandparents at the top of the tree.
- Glue the hand prints to the tree branches
Personalized Coffee Mug
If your children’s grandparents love coffee, this personalized mug will make a treasured, and functional gift!
You’ll need:
- Plain ceramic coffee mug (preferably in a light color)
- Permanent markers
- Oven
Instructions:
- Let your children customize the mug with their artwork, write a message from your child to their grandparent, put their nickname on the mug – let your children get creative!
- Place the mugs in a cold oven, then turn the oven on 350° and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the mugs from the oven (make sure you use an oven mitt), and set them where they can cool.
Popsicle Stick Picture Frames
With a bit of yarn, wood glue, and your favorite family picture, you and your preschooler can create a precious picture frame that will look perfect on a refrigerator, desk, or bulletin board.
You’ll need:
- 4 wide popsicle sticks
- Brightly colored yarn
- Wood glue or heavy duty glue
- Spray adhesive or Modge Podge
- Small clothes pin
- Twine or heavy string
- Picture
Instructions
- Wrap the popsicle sticks in yarn, leaving an inch on each end exposed.
- Spray with adhesive or brush with a mixture of half Modge Podge, half water.
- Lay two sticks vertical and then the horizontal sticks over top of the vertical ones, creating a square, and glue the bare ends of the sticks together.
- Glue a clothespin to the top center popsicle stick and insert a picture in the pin.
- Glue twine or string to the back of the picture to create a hanger.
Happy Grandparents Day from Primary Beginnings
We wanted to wish all the grandparents out there a Happy Grandparents Day from Primary Beginnings. If you’re looking for a caring, nurturing environment at a 5 star child care center in Raleigh, contact us today at our North Hills Drive location at 919-785-0303 or our Spring Forest location at 919-790-6888 or schedule a tour below!
