Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in the New River Valley:
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1. Take them out for a special meal in the NRV.
Here are five of our favorite New River Valley-owned restaurants open on Sunday:
- Al's on First, Pulaski
- Blacksburg Tavern, Blacksburg
- Dogtown Roadhouse, Floyd
- El Bronco, Christiansburg
- The Palisades, Pembroke
2. Go for a walk in the woods in the NRV.
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails in the New River Valley:
- Bissett Park, Radford
- Falls Ridge Preserve, Elliston
- Family Hikes in and Around the NRV Guide
- The Huckleberry Trail, Blacksburg/Christiansburg
- New River Trail State Park, Pulaski/Draper
- War Spur Trail, Giles
3. Plan a picnic in the NRV.
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are seven great spots in the New River Valley for a family picnic:
- Alta Mons, Shawsville
- Any of our spots from our Parks and Playgrounds Guide would be a great spot for a family picnic.
- Blue Ridge Parkway, Floyd
- Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin
- Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke
- Narrows Town Park, Narrows
- Pandapas Pond, Blacksburg
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4. Let your child share one of their favorite places in the NRV.
Does your child have a favorite New River Valley trampoline park, amusement park, or NRV playground? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Your children, in turn, will probably love to tour Grandma and Grandpa around their favorite place in the New River Valley. Does your child participate in a sport or class? See if Grandma/Grandpa can watch this weekend. Here are fun spots in our area where kids can play and there is plenty of room for adults to watch (or take part!):
- Art Buzz Kids Happy Owl, Christiansburg
- Art Buzz Kids Patty the Pig, Virtual
- Parks and Playground Guide of NRV
- Planetarium, Radford
- Putt Putt at Cox's Driving Range, Blacksburg
- Xtreme Springz, Christiansburg
Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places in the NRV.
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity in the New River Valley that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Visit a museum in the NRV together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are six great museums in and around the New River Valley:
- Andrew Johnston House Museum, Pearisburg
- Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation, Blacksburg
- Floyd County Historical Museum, Floyd
- Glencoe Mansion Museum & Gallery, Radford
- Wilderness Road Regional Museum, Dublin
- Wonder Universe Children's Museum, Christiansburg
7. Say hi to the animals in and around the NRV.
Grandparents probably love to see animals as much as their grandkids! Here are some places to go and see the animals in and around the New River Valley for Grandparents Day:
- Fort Chiswell Animal Park, Max Meadows
- Lower New River Loop of Virginia’s Birding and Wildlife Trail, Radford
- Meadow Ridge Stables, Christiansburg
- Mill Mountain Zoo, Roanoke
- Precious Valley Farms, Elliston
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8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in the New River Valley being silly together.
9. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are great NRV-owned ice cream places we love:
10. Plan a photo shoot
Grandparents love family photos (and who doesn't?!?), so arrange a photo shoot with one of our favorite photographers on Grandparents Day, or gift them a certificate to use later.
- Check out our Photographers in the New River Valley Guide.
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