Virtual Summer Vacation

Anyone else feeling sad that the trip to or from the grandkids just isn’t going to happen this summer? How about creating a virtual vacation?

Last year, we had an idyllic week by the lake with all of our kids and grandkids. We watched the 14-month-old learn to walk, pushing a milk crate around the deck. Pops had a ready helper for every chore and a willing companion for errands. We had long dinners outside, early morning kayak rides, and endless bowls of cherries. One evening a raccoon even came by and washed his hands in the stream on the property right in front of us, like the universe had gifted us a special memory.

I spent every afternoon luxuriating in having my family all in one place. I knew then that we were lucky to be able to gather everyone, and that I shouldn’t expect it to happen every year. It’s hard to get everyone’s schedule to align, and with their third baby in four years, my son’s family warned us that they won’t be traveling for a couple of years.

Still, I didn’t expect a pandemic to make it even harder to be together. 

Despite my two-year-old granddaughter promising that she is going to come to my house on Monday in her pink car (“really, really, really, really fast”), she’s not leaving her house and I’m not leaving mine.

But it’s still summer! So I decided to send them a vacation in a box.

​It’s going to include:

Pilot hats, so they can pretend to fly on an airplane to get here.

Freezer pop molds, because what’s summer without cold treats?

An inflatable globe, so they can plot their course. (This pack of two will avoid squabbles!)

Squirt guns and this aqua mat, for fun in the sun.

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There are so many other things you could include, depending on the age of your grandchildren. Activity books and travel games, books about explorers or places you’ve talked about visiting together. Other water toys or camping gear—the list is endless. Just imagine what you might do if you were together, and send a few things to create a mini-experience. If they are old enough, ask your grandchildren for letters, videos or photos to save the memories of their virtual summer vacation. Because even a virtual vacation should be remembered!

Has Covid-19 changed your summer vacation plans? Tell us what you are doing in the comments!