Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by?
Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in McDonough, Stockbridge, Hampton, and Locust Grove:
 Getty Images via Canva |
1. Take them out for a special meal
Here are some of our favorite locally-owned restaurants:
- Crust and Craft in McDonough
- Bank Street Cafe in Griffin
- Tony's at Brentwood in Stockbridge
- Rutabaga's Market & Cafe in Hampton
- The French Market & Tavern in Locust Grove
2. Go for a walk in the woods in a Henry County Park
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails that are accessible to all:
- Bobby McBrayer Park in Hampton has accessible walking paths from Main Street
- Bud Kelley Park in Kelleytown has a two-mile paved walking / jogging track.
- Heritage Park in McDonough has a .9 mile paved walking / jogging path.
3. Plan a picnic
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are three great spots for a family picnic:
- J. P. Moseley Park in Stockbridge has covered pavilions for picnics and a huge playground for the kids.
- Plan a picnic on the square in McDonough and grab some ice cream from Scoops for dessert.
- Enjoy a backyard picnic and play some fun yard games such as croquet, corn hole, or ladder golf.
 Getty Images via Canva |
4. Visit one of your favorite area attractions
Does your child have a favorite local entertainment center, amusement park, or attraction? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Here are three fun spots where kids can play and there is plenty of room for adults to watch (or take part!):
- The High Museum of Art is hosting a special Second Sunday Family Day for Grandparents day with a day filled of activities and it is free.
- The Georgia Aquarium is offering a special 20% discount through our parent company CertifiKID. Get your discount tickets here.
- If your child and grandparents share a love of football, the College Football Hall of Fame is offering All Access Pass deals that come with a $25 gift card.
Grandparents live far away?
Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
- Make a video: Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
- Send them a hug: Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
- DIY coasters: Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Create something together: Sharing in creativity creates lasting memories and lots of laughter. Here are two local places open on Sunday where you can create together.
- The Creativity Cafe in McDonough open Sundays 12-6 p.m.
- Painting with a Twist in McDonough is hosting Family Day on September 12 from 1:30 -3:30
- Both businesses have take home kits for purchase
6. Visit a historical site together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are two great interactive historical sites in that will be open on Grandparents Day:
- Visit the Heritage Museum & Historic Village and the Veterans Wall of Honor & Veteran’s Museum at Heritage Park
- Nash Farm Park home to the site of the largest Cavalry raid in Georgia’s history and a huge Confederate campsite. It also includes an activity barn, livestock barn, and carriage house.
7. Visit Southern Belle Farm
Fall is a great time to experience life on the farm together. While its fall season doesn't begin until September 18, you can still visit the Southern Belle Farm Country Market and enjoy fresh picked produce, baked goods and local items. It offers a great opening for grandparents to share what it was like when they were kids and where their food came from.
 Monkey Business Images via Canva |
8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in being silly together.
9. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are three great locally-owned ice cream places we love:
- Scoops McDonough, open Sunday 2-9 p.m.
- Cake n Shake in McDonough and Locust Grove, open Sunday 12-8 p.m.
- Sweet Charlies in McDonough, open Sundays 2-10 p.m.
10. Plan a photo shoot
Grandparents love family photos (and who doesn't?!?), so arrange a photo shoot on Grandparents Day!
- Bring your tripod or selfie stick and go to a local park at dusk for a beautiful setting and good lighting.
- Go to The Selfie Xperience in McDonough or Express Your Selfie in Locust Grove for a fun photo session among creative backdrops.
 Getty Images Signature via Canva |
