How to Organize an Intergenerational Craft Day

During the holiday season, several generations of the family often come together. For some, it’s the first time they’ve all been together in months. A great way to strengthen family bonds and build memories is to organize a craft party for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together.

Don’t be concerned if you don’t consider yourself to be an arts-and-crafts person. There are so many activities you can take part in that don’t require any special skills. This comprehensive guide to planning a successful craft party can help you plan an event both generations will enjoy any time of year.

Craft Planning for the Whole Family

Choose a Theme

Start by selecting a theme. It’s a good way to provide focus and excitement for your craft party. Consider themes that resonate with both grandparents and grandchildren, such as:

• Seasonal: While you might have winter on your mind this time of year, don’t limit yourself to just the holidays. When the snow is blowing and it’s cold outside, it might be fun to plan luau- or beach-themed activities. Platforms like Pinterest and Etsy are good sites to explore for ideas.
• Nature-inspired: Projects using natural materials like twigs, pine cones, evergreens, leaves, and stones might also be good ones to try. You could make everything from bird feeders to tree garland.
• Family heritage: Crafts that explore family traditions or ancestry, such as family trees or heritage scrapbooks, can be great memory-making activities—especially when multiple generations of the family are involved.
• Painted rocks: Let’s face it, kids love painting rocks, and it’s an easy and fun activity with minimal cost. You can even make rock collecting a part of your intergenerational activity.

Select Craft Projects

Once you have chosen a theme, it’s time to come up with a few specific projects for your gathering. Unless the grandchildren are all older, you’ll likely want to aim for projects that are engaging but not overly complex. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Photo frames: Decorate wooden or cardboard frames with paint, stickers, or embellishments. This allows grandchildren to personalize a frame for a favorite photo with their grandparents.
• Memory boxes: Provide small craft-style boxes or jars, along with a variety of art supplies to decorate them with. They can be filled with favorite mementos, notes to one another, or secret treasures.
• Birdhouses: Whether you use elements of nature to create unique birdhouses from scratch or purchase unfinished ones to decorate, this is an activity that can bring out everyone’s creative side.

Gather Necessary Supplies

Unless you are planning a project where you’ll be collecting bits of nature from around the yard or beach, you’ll probably want to get supplies together ahead of time. That will ensure everything runs smoothly during the party. Collect all the necessary supplies for the projects, such as:

• Basic craft supplies: Assemble supplies such as scissors (including kid-sized, if needed), glue, markers, paints, brushes, and paper. You’ll probably want tablecloths or a roll of craft paper to protect tables, too.
• Special materials: Depending on your projects, you may need specific items like wooden frames, jars, boxes, or natural materials.
• Protective gear: Have smocks or old shirts on hand to protect clothing from paint and glue.

Create a Comfortable Space

A welcoming environment sets the stage for a fun and enjoyable experience. Choose a suitable location for the craft party, whether it’s in your kitchen, the basement, or the garage, or even at a local park. Ensure the space is comfortable and has enough room for everyone to work. Consider the following:

• Seating arrangements: Arrange tables and chairs to encourage interaction. Ensure there’s enough space for everyone to craft comfortably.
• Table covers: Use disposable tablecloths to protect surfaces from spills and messes.
• Lighting: Ensure the area is well-lit, especially for detailed craft work.
• Music: This might be a great assignment for the grandkids to handle. You could consider asking them to create a playlist just for this occasion.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

Crafting can be hard work! Snacks can provide a nice break and keep energy levels up throughout the party. So plan to have some healthy snacks, a few tasty treats, and a variety of drinks available. Maybe even choose a theme for your refreshments, such as all pumpkin snacks and beverages. It might help to choose easy-to-eat options that aren’t too messy, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables: Platters of cut fruits and veggies with dips.
• Finger foods: Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, or popcorn.
• Beverages: Water, juice, or a fun holiday-themed punch.

Capture the Memories

Finally, remember to document your adventures throughout the day by taking photos as family members are working and after the projects are finished. Be sure to get a few group shots of everyone with their completed crafts. After the party, consider creating a small photo album or scrapbook as a keepsake that grandparents and grandchildren can cherish together.

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