The relationship between grandchildren and grandparents is truly special. From day trips to the zoo and park to evenings filled with sugary desserts and silly stories, grandparents have a free pass for fun with few bedtime responsibilities.

But the flip side of the coin is that our most senior family members won’t be around forever. Here’s how you can make memories that will be meaningful now and for decades to come.

Things You Can Do Together

The best way to make memories is to find activities you both enjoy. That could be teaching your grandkids how to make quilts and jam. Or maybe you can plant a garden or a tree that will feed and provide shade for future generations.

Crafting is another hands-on activity that creates instant keepsakes. Younger kids can partake in painting and play dough. Older kids can build models of ships, trains, or buildings — whatever interests both generations have in common.

As the grandkids grow, explore more mature activities like travel. You’re never too old to head someplace new.

How to Collect and Preserve Memories

Moments banked in memory only have a tendency to fade. Finding ways to preserve memories in a more tangible way is so important.

One way to save memories is by taking photos — and we don’t mean professional shots. Capture candids as you make snowmen, play at the beach, and bake cookies. Then compile those photos in a scrapbook with little notes about what you remember from those days.

Another powerful idea is to create a journal detailing moments your grandkids might not know about. Try to think about your own childhood, jobs, and favorite moments, and write it all down for posterity.