Spending time with your grandchildren during the Easter and ANZAC Day holidays is a wonderful way to create lasting memories. Whether you're sharing traditions or simply enjoying a fun activity together, these occasions are the perfect opportunity to bond.
Below are some activity ideas inspired by our Ryman residents to help make this time extra special for you and your grandkids.
Some Easter traditions to share
Children love the magic of Easter, so now is the perfect time for you to hop down memory lane and share some traditions from your own childhood.
We’re going on an egg hunt!
An exciting activity for kids that has taken place many times in Ryman villages is a good old-fashioned Easter egg hunt. You can easily create a chocolatey treasure-filled Easter adventure for your grandchildren by hiding colourful eggs throughout your garden for them to discover. It will probably get competitive – so you may want to keep a few extra eggs hidden up your sleeve just in case.
Pictured below is an Easter egg hunt in a Ryman village. Residents got together and painted paper mache Easter Eggs, then hid them in the village gardens for local children to find.
Whip up some Easter magic in your kitchen
Another tried and true way to create memories together is right in your kitchen. Baking (and nibbling!) Easter-themed treats is a delicious way to spend time together with your grandchildren. Try this scrumptious hot cross bun recipe that will tempt their tastebuds and make your kitchen smell divine.
An egg-cellent chance to get crafty
Decorating hard-boiled eggs or smooth stones is a fun and creative Easter tradition that you can enjoy together, like these colourful rock paintings below that were hand-painted by some of our talented Ryman residents.
All you need are non-toxic paints, paintbrushes, water for rinsing brushes, and your imagination. Try masking tape or stencils to create patterns or dip the eggs/stones in one colour for a simple design. For more intricate designs, you can paint delicate details like flowers, stripes, or bunny faces, or dip them in glitter for extra sparkle.
Speaking of sparkle, Ryman villages are full of craft-lovers. If you love colourful crafts and a bit of a giggle, check out this yarn-bombed bike from the Keith Park village craft group.
Honouring ANZAC Day together
ANZAC Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and honouring those who served. A meaningful way to introduce younger generations to the significance of this day is by involving your grandchildren in commemorative activities.
Attend your local Dawn Service
Children are an important part of Anzac Day Commemorations and are welcome at all services. Taking them to a local dawn service or parade in your community is a powerful way to honour the sacrifices of the past while teaching your grandchildren the importance of remembrance. Ryman villages also host ANZAC Day ceremonies, where veterans, residents, and families gather to pay their respects and remember the fallen.
Make poppies for remembrance
A crafty way to involve your grandchildren in ANZAC Day is by creating remembrance poppies together. One option is to use this RSA template as a guide to help you get started. These can be made from felt, paper, or even knitted, and are a beautiful way to teach children about the symbolism of the red poppy as a tribute to fallen soldiers.
If you would like to teach your grandchildren more about ANZAC Day, click here to find some RSA resources.
ANZAC biscuits: bake a tasty tribute
Chewy, delicious, golden ANZAC biscuits are synonymous with ANZAC Day, and baking them with your grandchildren is a wonderful opportunity to teach them about the history of New Zealand families sending them to soldiers overseas during the war. Made with love, simple ingredients, and no eggs, these biscuits could withstand long journeys and were gratefully received. Easy to make and even easier to eat, they’re a perfect way to introduce your grandchildren to the joys of baking. Here, Ryman resident Carol shares the classic recipe she’s baked countless times.
A home for all generations to enjoy
In Ryman villages, any day is a good day to spend time with your grandchildren – and they love exploring the wonderful amenities. Just ask Kerry, whose grandchildren regularly visit her at Ryman’s Bert Sutcliffe Village where they can splash around in the swimming pool, enjoy treats in the on-site café, and spend lots of quality time making memories with ‘Nanny Kerry’.
by Christine McCurdy | Apr 15, 2025
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