Making Your Home Grandchild-Fun
Making Your Home Grandchild-Fun!
By Kalie Chamberlain
When Brent and Kathy Chamberlain of Elko, Nevada were ready to retire, they started looking for a new home closer to their children and grandchildren. When they first visited Kanab, Utah, they were “drawn to the slow pace and quiet small town atmosphere,” Kathy says. The more time they spent there, the more convinced they became that Kanab was the right location. Now, if only they could find the right home!
The Chamberlains liked the fact that Kanab was close to most of their family, “but not too close, allowing everyone to have their space and independence.” With this in mind, they knew they needed a home that would not only allow for visitors but also be inviting and fun for their grandchildren.
When they first toured their current home, they knew it was unique. In fact, a basement room has four built-in bunk beds! A large closet for storing toys and a spacious floor area for playing made it a perfect place for grandchildren to play and sleep. Melanie, then age two, loved the room right away and named it the Grandchildren’s Room. The name stuck, and it was this room in part that convinced the Chamberlains that this home was perfect. Kathy explains, “The Grandchildren’s Room was a big plus, but it took a special buyer. Not many people besides grandparents would be interested in a room with 4 built in bunk beds.”
The house is matched by a spectacular backyard, “perfect for grandkids of all ages.” Swings and a playhouse are perfect for smaller kids, while the older kids love hiking up the mountain to The Fort, built by the grandchildren and usually their first stop when they visit. “We made it by building a rock wall underneath an overhanging rock, so there’s a lot of shade,” Carson, age 9, says. A large patio area is ideal for marshmallow wars or water gun fights during the day and evening barbecues or making s’mores at night. A quiet neighborhood without much traffic and a nearby horse corral encourage many long walks.
Outdoor recreation is wonderful for children, as it stimulates creativity and learning. The grandkids don’t need toys, just a stick or flashlight and a trail to follow. Kathy explains that the grandchildren come up with creative activities for everyone to do. “For example,” she says, “we love to go on ‘Dark Walks’ at nighttime. Everyone has a flashlight, and we walk and talk and look at things in a different way. We also have a ‘Talking Rock’ in the back yard (named by Luke, age 4) because it is big and flat and is the perfect place to sit and talk.” Spending time together outdoors has helped the Chamberlains bond with their grandchildren.
Not everyone can relocate after retirement, and many people would want to live somewhere less remote than Kanab, Utah. But the Chamberlains have done so many little things that any grandparent can do to make a home fun for grandchildren. For instance, every morning, Brent tosses a scoopful of bird seed onto the back patio. In minutes, the patio is covered with creatures, including chipmunks, quail, and other birds. The grandkids love watching the wildlife from the window while they eat breakfast. It’s a simple thing that appeals so much to young children.
Kathy added a few special touches to the Grandchildren’s Room to make it more inviting. First, she invested in a few extra-large stuffed animals. They are a favorite toy, perfect for snuggling or jumping on. Maps on one wall help the cousins, who live in different cities and states, connect. Grandchildren can also write messages back and forth to each other on chalkboard wall when they visit. Brent attached rock climbing holds to the walls so the kids can practice their climbing. “If you’re strong enough and big enough to climb up the wall,” Reed, age 10, explains, “then you’re big enough to sleep on the top bunks.” None of these additions were overly expensive, and the kids love them.
The Chamberlains also saved or invested in toys that their children loved growing up—Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoys get the most play. A box of vintage Micro Machines is three-year-old Isaac’s favorite. He always asks for the “tiny cars” when he visits. They don’t spend money on fancy new electronic toys because they want to foster creativity and imaginative play. Although the toys mostly stay in the Grandchildren’s Room, they never make a fuss if toys appear upstairs. Parents and kids always pitch in to clean up messes.
Having young grandchildren is a fun stage—and a busy one. By making your home and lifestyle inviting for your children and grandchildren, you can forge lasting and loving relationships with your family. If you buy a home, renovate, or even just reorganize with children in mind, you may just find your home filled with happy laughter, lots of running, and new sweet memories.