When it comes to special occasions, it can be difficult to think of places to take your elderly relatives. Once you have a family, it becomes more difficult to take elderly parents and grandparents out with you. When you’ve got a pram to contend with, or a particularly wild toddler who’s just found his feet, outings with anyone else can easily slip your mind.
On those odd occasions when you’ve got an extra pair of hands and you’re looking to take your family member(s) out, finding a nice place to take them can be hard to decide upon. It needs to be family friendly, for the kids, but it also needs to entertaining for your relative. Even the hardiest of 90-year-olds nans wouldn’t fancy three hours at a soft play centre.
These suggestions for places to take an elderly relative should give you some inspiration for the next time you fancy a family trip.
Great Places to Take Elderly Relatives (& Kids)
Before you settle on any of these ideas, it’s best to consider how far your loved one can walk and how long they can stand for. If they’re mostly okay but sometimes get tired, then these suggestions will probably be okay. If they tire quickly and can’t walk far, broach the idea of getting a wheelchair to take with them in the car, so it’s there if they need it. You can get reasonably priced wheelchairs from Fenetic Wellbeing.
If in doubt, ask them how much they think they’re up to doing before heading out.
Take them to feed the ducks
Kids love anything outdoorsy. If you live near a duck pond, you’ll probably find your child’s favourite pastimes between the ages of one and five is feeding the ducks. Grandparents are often indifferent about ducks, but love to see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren living their best lives.
If your relative is infirm, they might not get outside much, so an afternoon in the fresh air might be exactly what they need.
A meal out is always a winner
We all love it when someone else is making the food (and washing the pots), so why not plan a meal out. Where you end up depends largely on the maturity and temperament of your children (and sometimes your other family members – no bum jokes at the dinner table, Grandad!)
Afternoon tea makes for a lovely and very quaint way to spend an afternoon, but you’d need very well-behaved child at your side. If you’ve got younger children, a pub lunch or a fish and chip supper are hearty meals that keep everyone of all ages happy and full.
Local Attractions are interesting for everyone – children and elderly relatives alike!
In my experience, elderly people and young children dislike long car journeys. This tends to limit where you can go and forces you to appreciate your local area. Even if you live in a smallish town, chances are there will be at least one local attraction up the road.
As someone who comes from Lincolnshire, I’m never too far from a museum. My hometown is Grimsby, which has a rich history of fishing. When I was little, my dad would take me around and tell me about all the bits he remembered as he grew up, and relay his own mother’s memories of the parts he was born too late for. Although my father is no longer with us, he’d be well into his 70’s now and I know he’d love to talk about these things with his grandchildren, as well as seeing them depicted in a museum.
Ask your relatives what they remember as you explore any museums and allow them to tell their own first-hand experiences to their (great) grandchildren. You should probably take a quick glance at the time period before you ask any questions, you could seriously offend someone if you accuse them of being 300!
If you enjoyed reading this, you might like my other family content.
