Gadgets for Long Distance Grandparenting
Being across the world—or even across the state—from your grandchild is hard. One of the things that most grandparents look forward to is being an active part of their grandchild’s life, and being a long-distance grandparent makes that far more difficult. Thanks to technology, though, it’s not impossible to connect with your grandchildren on a regular basis, and that regular connection is what builds relationships. No matter the distance, the following products can help you be a part of your grandchild’s daily life and build lasting bonds.
Nixplay Digital Frame
While I use my frame to have an ongoing slide show of my favorite photos, the Nixplay is perfect for long-distance grandparents. My grands are always spellbound watching the photos and calling out the names of the people they recognize. Send a frame to your grandchild’s family, and regularly upload photos and short videos of you as you go about your day. This will help your grandchildren feel as if they are a part of your life. It’s easy to upload pictures to your account via email or by creating an account with the Nixplay app. Nixplay is serious about privacy, so your photos aren’t floating around in the cloud for anyone to access. Get yours on Amazon here.
Long-distance Bracelets
Sometimes just knowing someone is thinking of them is enough to brighten a grandchild’s day. These bracelets are designed with couples in mind, but they are perfect to send to a teen or tween grandchild. A simple tap on your bracelet will cause theirs to flash and vibrate, letting them know that you are thinking of them. No need to pull out their phone to read a text message, just a little buzz on their wrist to tell them that Grandma or Grandpa cares. Find them here.
Phone Tripod
Video chats are the best way to connect with grandchildren of all ages. Sending them a table-top tripod will make parents’ job much easier—no more balancing the phone on the table against the pepper grinder or trying to hold it while bathing the baby. This one is infinitely flexible, making it easy to set up almost anywhere. Get one for yourself as well, so you can set it up while you share your favorite recipe or do crafts together.
Apple iPad
If video chats are going to be a big part of your grandparenting experience, investing in good equipment is worth it. Sending an iPad or other high-quality tablet to your far away grandchild’s house will make it easier to connect with them simply because they will be able to see you better. Sharing books, crafts, and games will be far more engaging if the picture they see is bigger. While it may seem pricy, it’s an investment that will pay dividends in your relationship. Find it on Amazon.
Neck Phone Holder
This inexpensive gadget makes reading stories to long-distance grandchildren so much easier! Simply place your phone in it, arrange it around your neck, and you’ll have both hands free to hold the story and turn the pages. I’ve tried others, and this one is the only one that’s lightweight enough to be comfortable around my neck. Find my favorite here.
Meta Portal
If your family are Facebook users, the Meta Portal is a great way to connect from a distance. It’s so easy to use that grandparents report getting calls from their toddler grandchildren when they least expect it. The camera in the Portal follows the movement of the people in the frame, which is a huge benefit when you are video chatting with small children. Learn more about it here.
Long Distance Touch Lamp
How darling are these lamps? Send one to your young grandchild and keep one for yourself. They need a Wi-Fi connection, but no fancy apps or software. Just touch the top of your lamp, and theirs will light up. Touch and hold to change colors, and flip the switch to use it for a nightlight. Just imagine the magic of knowing that Grandma or Grandpa made their light turn on from miles away! Find them on Amazon.
Lovebox
Last but not least, this might be our favorite gift for a long-distance grandchild. Start by downloading the free app, and then send a message, a photo, a drawing or an animation to the Lovebox you’ve send to your grandchild. They’ll see the heart begin to turn, alerting them that there’s a message from you. They’ll just open the lid and discover the surprise you’ve send. They can let you know they got it by turning the heart, and you’ll get a virtual shower of hearts in the app. Get one for your far-away grandchild now!
No matter how often you are able to see your grandchildren in person, you can be a part of their lives from a distance. Do you have any other favorite tech gadgets that help you connect?