This Grandma just heard from other grandparents that this generation of grandchildren using electronics makes the grandchildren nimble with their fingers, as well as helps them focus. So there are some good things about grandchildren and electronics, other than they are a lifesaver when we take grandchildren to restaurants.
I like the old fashioned ways we played with our fingers and grandchildren are just as interested in the toys we played with today as in the past. These are also great visit gifts.
“Pick up Sticks” are still the rage and grandchildren love to play with us and hear about when we played with pick up sticks as children. You can go with the classic version we had as kids: Click here to buy.
I prefer the plastic colored pickup sticks. There is a combo pack with my next favorite finger game, “Jacks.” Click here to buy.
With “Jacks,” I like to start with the jumbo size.
Remember, Grandma can make many games with these two inexpensive toys. We can count and divide by color. We can build. And we can play the games with grandchildren younger than y
Grandma does not like that this Grandma lets the grandchildren win more than not. The game I play is finding ways to let the grandchild win without the grandchild knowing this grandma is letting them win!
Crafts are a great way to use fingers with grandchildren.
Anything by Alex for toddlers and up.
Any crafts by Creativity for kids for age five and up is wonderful. Click here for a variety.
This grandma loves to teach the grandchildren a craft. I taught both grandson and granddaughter how to needlepoint! Click here.
Knitting is the rage as well. Click here.
And don’t forget how popular the rainbow loom is for grandchildren! Click here.
When the fingers are busy, so is the mouth, sharing stories of long ago, when Grandma, as a child, learned to be nimble with her fingers and focus. And would you believe we watched the test pattern on television in the afternoon waiting for “Howdy Doody,” to begin. Where was an Ipad then!
How do we explain test pattern to our grandchildren? Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing! Click here.
Joy,
Mema
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