After countless hours covered in craft glue, testing, fixing fails, and discovering solutions that actually work, I’ve mastered creating heartfelt, homemade gifts.
But I know the struggle: Tired of generic gifts? Want to help your child create something truly special and from the heart for Grandparents’ Day? I’ve spent hours figuring this out, sometimes with family by my side, and I’ve been there too.
That’s why in this post, I’ll show you exactly how to solve these challenges with tips I’ve tested myself. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to create cherished keepsakes while making magical memories with your loved ones! 💖
My Top 4 Picks From This List 🏆
If you’re short on time, these are the absolute must-try ideas that I personally love and have seen create the biggest “Memory Maker” moments!
- My Favorite Memory with You: Taps into personal stories for a truly unique gift.
- Grandparent Portrait (with a Twist!): Encourages kids to think about personality and passions, not just faces.
- A “Thank You” Masterpiece: A simple, powerful way for kids to express gratitude.
- A “Coupon Book” of Drawings: Combines art with actionable gifts of time and affection.
A Few Supplies for Success 🛠️
To get started on these wonderful Grandparents Day crafts, you won’t need much – just a few basics to unleash your child’s creativity!
- ✅ Assorted Paper (construction paper, cardstock, plain white)
- ✅ Drawing Tools (crayons, markers, colored pencils)
- ✅ Optional: Glitter, stickers, glue sticks (for embellishments)
- ✅ A flat, clean surface for drawing
- 👑 Nancy’s Pick: As a Trusted Family Advisor, I’ve learned that the right tools make all the difference. My go-to trick for elevating a simple drawing into a “memory maker” masterpiece is using a good quality, heavier paper like cardstock or even watercolor paper – it truly makes the colors pop and the keepsake last!
1. My Favorite Memory with You 🖼️
Alright, I’m putting on my official Creative DIY & Gift Expert hat for this one. This idea taps into the deepest personal connection, making the drawing incredibly meaningful and unique to their special bond. It’s one of the most heartwarming homemade gifts for grandparents you can imagine, requiring just paper and your child’s favorite drawing tools.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw your favorite memory you’ve shared with Grandma or Grandpa. What were you doing? Where were you? Who else was there?”
💡 Pro-Tip: Help younger kids by looking through old photos together to spark a memory, or ask leading questions like, ‘Remember when we went to the park?’ This is a fantastic way to get those kids drawing prompts flowing!
image-1: A child proudly holding up a colorful drawing depicting a specific memory, like a picnic or a trip to the zoo, with a grandparent.
2. Grandparent Portrait (with a Twist!) 🎨
Beyond a simple face, this encourages kids to think about their grandparent’s personality and passions, making for truly unique art ideas for grandma and grandpa. It’s a fun way to use various colors and truly capture their spirit. After testing dozens of these unique drawing ideas, I’ve found this one always brings a smile!
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw Grandma or Grandpa doing their favorite hobby or activity! Are they gardening, reading, cooking, or playing a sport?”
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to draw what they feel about their grandparent, not just what they see. Exaggerated features or bright colors can show love and make these easy drawings for kids incredibly expressive!
image-2: A whimsical, colorful child’s drawing of a grandparent engaged in a hobby, like a grandma with oversized gardening gloves or a grandpa with a fishing rod.
3. Our Dream Adventure Together 🚀
This idea sparks imagination and creates a shared fantasy, showing grandparents how much their presence means in their grandchild’s world. It’s a wonderful opportunity for bright, imaginative colors and truly creative kids drawing prompts. This is a “Memory Maker” moment in the making!
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Imagine you and your grandparent could go anywhere or do anything together. Draw your ultimate dream adventure!”
💡 Pro-Tip: Ask your child to narrate their drawing as they go. You might discover a whole new world of ideas and stories, making the creation process a ‘Memory Maker’ moment too!
image-3: A fantastical child’s drawing of a grandparent and grandchild flying in a spaceship, exploring a magical forest, or on a beach with talking animals.
4. Grandparent Superpower! 💪
This helps kids articulate what makes their grandparent special and unique, fostering appreciation in a really fun way. Encourage using bold colors and maybe even speech bubbles to bring their superpower to life! This is one of my favorite art ideas for grandma and grandpa.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “What’s your grandparent’s special superpower? Do they give the best hugs, tell the funniest jokes, or fix anything? Draw them using their superpower!”
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Remind kids that superpowers aren’t just about flying; they’re about the unique ways grandparents make us feel loved and safe. This makes for profound art ideas for grandma and grandpa.
image-4: A child’s drawing of a grandparent with a cape, perhaps with hearts emanating from their hands (for best hugs) or a thought bubble with a funny joke.
5. A “Thank You” Masterpiece 🙏
A simple yet powerful way for children to express gratitude for all the big and small things grandparents do. This is a classic Grandparents Day craft that truly comes from the heart, combining drawing with maybe some heartfelt written words. It’s a fantastic example of a meaningful homemade gift for grandparents.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw something you want to thank your grandparent for. Is it a gift, a fun day, or just being there for you?”
💡 Pro-Tip: For older kids, encourage them to add a short, handwritten ‘thank you’ note directly onto the drawing, making it even more personal and a cherished homemade gift for grandparents.
image-5: A child’s drawing featuring a large “Thank You” with illustrations of things they are grateful for, like a toy, a cookie, or a hug.
6. Our Family Tree (Artistic Version) 🌳
This helps kids visualize their family connections and understand their place within the family story, with grandparents often at the roots. It’s a beautiful way to use different colors for different family branches and create a lasting memory. My go-to trick for this is to make it less about biology and more about love!
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw your family tree, but instead of just names, draw a little picture of each family member, with Grandma and Grandpa as the strong roots or trunk!”
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Focus on the concept of connection and growth. It’s less about perfect accuracy and more about the visual representation of love that binds the family, making it one of the most meaningful Grandparents Day crafts.
image-6: A child’s drawing of a whimsical family tree with stick figures or simple portraits of family members on branches, and grandparents at the base.
7. Grandparent’s Favorite Things 💖
This encourages kids to observe and appreciate their grandparent’s individual interests, showing they pay attention and care. It’s a wonderful opportunity for drawing multiple small items, creating a vibrant collage of love. This is a fantastic way to generate easy drawings for kids while also learning about their loved ones.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw a collection of Grandma or Grandpa’s favorite things! Their favorite food, pet, book, flower, or even a special tool they use.”
💡 Pro-Tip: Before drawing, have a quick chat with your child about their grandparent’s likes and dislikes. This pre-activity discussion is a memory-maker in itself and helps generate fantastic kids drawing prompts!
image-7: A child’s drawing featuring a collage of various items, like a cat, a cup of coffee, a garden trowel, and a book, representing a grandparent’s interests.
8. A Hug for Grandma/Grandpa 🤗
A simple, universally understood gesture of love that even the youngest artists can convey effectively. This warm and heartfelt idea encourages using large figures and warm colors to truly capture the feeling of a loving embrace. It’s a “Memory Maker” that speaks volumes without words.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw yourself giving Grandma or Grandpa the biggest, warmest hug you can imagine!”
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Emphasize the feeling of the hug. Ask kids, ‘How does it feel to hug Grandma?’ and let that emotion guide their drawing. This is an easy drawing for kids that packs a huge emotional punch.
image-8: A heartwarming child’s drawing of a large, enveloping hug between a grandchild and grandparent, with smiles and perhaps hearts.
9. “When I Grow Up, I Want to Be Like You Because…” 🌟
This is incredibly affirming for grandparents, showing them the positive impact they have on their grandchildren’s aspirations. It encourages kids to draw themselves in a future role, reflecting the qualities they admire most. A mistake I always see is underestimating how much grandparents cherish knowing they inspire their grandkids.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw yourself doing something you admire about your grandparent when you grow up. What quality do you want to have like them?”
💡 Pro-Tip: Help kids connect a grandparent’s trait (e.g., ‘Grandpa is so patient’) to a future action (e.g., ‘I’ll be a patient teacher like Grandpa’). This makes for truly thoughtful art ideas for grandma and grandpa.
image-9: A child’s drawing of themselves as an adult, perhaps gardening like Grandma, or telling stories like Grandpa, with a thought bubble explaining why.
10. A “Coupon Book” of Drawings 🎁
This combines drawing with actionable ‘gifts’ of time and affection, making it a truly interactive and cherished present. It’s one of my favorite Grandparents Day crafts because it extends the joy beyond just the day itself! This is a fantastic printable drawing activity for kids of all ages.
Specific Drawing Prompt: “Draw a picture on each ‘coupon’ for something you’ll do with or for your grandparent. Ideas: ‘A big hug,’ ‘Help with dishes,’ ‘Read a book together.'”
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to think of simple, achievable ‘coupons’ that they can genuinely fulfill, making the gift even more special and real. This is a wonderful way to teach how to draw for grandparents with a practical twist.
image-10: A child’s drawing of a small, handmade coupon book, with each “coupon” showing a simple drawing like a hug, a shared book, or a helping hand.
Make it Your Own ✨
As your Trusted Family Advisor, I know that every family is unique, and these ideas are just a starting point for creating your own “Memory Maker” moments. Here are a few ways to customize and combine these sweet drawing ideas:
- Turn a collection of drawings into a mini-art gallery, a personalized storybook, or even a handmade calendar for grandparents to enjoy all year long.
- For long-distance grandparents, scan the drawings and create a digital slideshow or send them via email with a heartfelt message, proving homemade gifts for grandparents can travel!
- Adapt for different age groups: Toddlers can scribble and you can add captions; older kids can add more detail and even write short poems or stories, making these printable drawing activities versatile.
- Create a “drawing date” where you and your child draw with the grandparent, making the activity itself a cherished memory and a beautiful example of how to draw for grandparents together.
Your Thoughtful Questions Answered 🤔
Q1: How can I encourage my child if they say, “I can’t draw!” or get frustrated?
A1: A mistake I always see is focusing too much on perfection. Remind them that it’s the thought and love that counts, not artistic skill! Encourage them by saying, ‘Just draw what’s in your heart!’ or ‘Your drawing is special because you made it.’ Offer to draw alongside them, providing gentle guidance without taking over. Sometimes, just having a specific kid drawing prompt can make all the difference!
Q2: What if my child has multiple grandparents? Should they make separate drawings or one big one?
A2: This is a great question I get all the time in my DMs! It truly depends on your child’s age, attention span, and the number of grandparents. For younger kids, separate, simpler drawings for each grandparent might be best to keep them engaged. Older children might enjoy creating one larger, collaborative piece for a couple, or even a ‘collection of drawings’ coupon book for all their amazing grandparents. The key is to avoid burnout and keep it fun!
Q3: How can we make the drawing activity itself a fun and memorable bonding experience, not just a task?
A3: My go-to trick for this is to turn it into a mini-celebration! Put on some fun music, have some special snacks, and talk about the grandparents while they draw. Ask them questions about their grandparents’ favorite things, funny memories, or what they love most about them. This isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the shared time, the laughter, and the stories that unfold, making it a true ‘Memory Maker’ moment and a wonderful Grandparents Day craft activity.
After countless hours covered in craft glue and seeing the pure joy homemade gifts bring, I can tell you there’s nothing quite as precious as a handmade drawing from a grandchild. These easy drawings for kids aren’t just paper and crayons; they’re tangible expressions of love, turning simple art into cherished keepsakes and creating unforgettable “Memory Maker” moments for grandparents.
Which of these drawing prompts will your little artist choose to celebrate their amazing grandparents this year? Share your ideas in the comments below!
