Grandparents Day Crafts & Card Templates (K–2 Friendly)
Grandparents are the best kind of cheerleaders—pep-talk pros, cookie champions, and story keepers. If you’re planning Grandparents Day crafts for kids that are actually doable in a busy K–2 classroom (and just as fun at home), this guide gives you 20 winning projects plus grandparents day card printable templates—with editable name fields so you can personalize in seconds.
What You’ll Find Here
20 classroom-tested craft ideas
You’ll get step-by-step directions, supply shortcuts, and time estimates so centers stay calm and kids stay creative.
Editable name-field PDFs (the big edge)
Many rivals offer static printables; this guide recommends editable PDFs with typeable fields (student name, “To/From,” date). That keeps personalization tidy and readable, especially for developing handwriting.
Quick Teacher Prep
Supply list by station
Basic kit: child-safe scissors, glue sticks, tape, crayons/markers, watercolor set, craft sticks, clothespins, paper plates, yarn/twine, construction paper, card stock (white + assorted), self-adhesive magnets, washi tape.
Add-ons: air-dry clay or salt-dough, clear contact paper, laminating sheets, binder rings, mini clothespins, foam hearts/stickers, plastic page protectors, dollar-store map or atlas.
Time, mess level, and cleanup tips
Timeboxing: run 4 stations × 10 minutes or 5 stations × 8 minutes.
Mess management: keep “glue-only” tables separate from paint/clay. Set a drying rack (cookie sheet + parchment works!).
Cleanup: assign Table Captains to collect scraps and refill caddies. Keep a “This Still Needs Drying” tray for anything damp.
Safety & Accessibility
Scissor safety for K–2
Use blunt-tip scissors and a “thumbs-up” grip (thumb in small hole). Cut away from the other hand. Model how to collect scraps to avoid tiny slips.
Fine-motor alternatives
Offer peel-and-stick foam shapes, tear-paper collages (no scissors), and pre-cut shapes for students who need extra support.
Handprint & Keepsake Grandparents Day Crafts (1–6)
Tip: If using paint, stamp handprints on scrap paper first to remove excess paint, then transfer.
1) Salt-Dough Handprint Magnet
- Supplies: 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ~½ cup water, rolling pin, cookie cutter, paint, sealant, adhesive magnet.
- How: Mix dough, roll to ¼”, press child’s hand, cut shape. Bake at 95–105°C (200–220°F) until hard (1–2 hrs). Paint, seal, stick magnet.
- Why kids love it: A real “forever” keepsake that sticks on Grandma’s fridge.
2) Paper “High-Five” Pop-Up Card
- Supplies: Card stock, pencil, scissors, glue.
- How: Trace hand on folded card so the wrist touches the fold. Cut, open to reveal a “high-five” pop-up. Add “High-five, Grandpa!”
- Extension: Add five things they love about their grandparent—one on each finger.
3) “We Grew Together” Height-String Tag
- Supplies: String cut to child’s height, tag template, hole punch.
- How: Kids measure string to their height and tie to a printable gift tag.
- Message idea: “Here’s a string as tall as me—so your hugs never miss!”
4) Handprint Garden Bouquet
- Supplies: Colored paper, green straws/paper stems, tape, ribbon.
- How: Trace and cut 3–5 handprints as “flowers,” tape to stems, and bundle with ribbon.
- Display: Slip into a paper cone “vase.”
5) Thumbprint Heart Keychain (Air-Dry)
- Supplies: Air-dry clay, straw, string/ring, paint or ink pad.
- How: Roll a disk, press two angled thumbprints to form a heart. Poke hole, dry, thread ring.
- Classroom hack: Use baker’s twine if you don’t have key rings.
6) Grandkid Coupon Book
- Supplies: Coupon printable, crayons, stapler/binder ring.
- How: Kids fill in coupons (“Read a book together,” “Call me after dinner”) and bind.
- SEL tie-in: Teaches kindness as a gift—no store needed.
Photo Frames & Displays (7–11)
7) Craft-Stick Frame with Pattern Blocks
- Supplies: 4 craft sticks, glue, mini pattern blocks or foam shapes, photo.
- How: Glue sticks into a square; decorate with shapes; tape photo behind.
Math mini-lesson: Identify shapes and symmetry as they build.
8) “Grand Adventure” Map Frame
- Supplies: Old atlas/map, card stock frame, glue.
- How: Cover a simple frame shape with map scraps and mark hometowns with a heart sticker.
- Conversation prompt: “Where would you travel with Nana?”
9) Paper Plate Laced Frame
- Supplies: Paper plate, hole punch, yarn, photo.
- How: Cut center out; punch holes around rim. Kids lace yarn through holes, then tape a photo behind.
- Fine-motor boost: Lacing builds coordination without tiny needles.
10) Clothespin Photo Garland
- Supplies: Twine, 4–6 mini clothespins, photos/drawings.
- How: Kids clip pictures along twine. Send home as a mantel garland.
- Adaptation: If no photos, use “favorite memory” drawings.
11) Accordion Mantel Mini-Frame
- Supplies: Card stock strip, photos, glue.
- How: Fold into accordion, add photos/drawings to each panel.
- Note: Stands on its own on a mantel or desk.
Bookmarks & Reading Love (12–14)
12) Hug Bookmark
- Supplies: Photo of child, card stock, two paper arms.
- How: Mount photo to strip; glue “arms” that wrap around a page—like a book hug.
- Literacy tie-in: Kids write “I love reading with you!”
13) Corner Heart Bookmark
- Supplies: Square paper, folding guide.
- How: Fold into a corner pocket; add heart or glasses doodles.
- Differentiation: Pre-crease for Kinders.
14) Photo-Strip Bookmark with Riddles
- Supplies: 3 mini drawings + jokes/riddles, laminating sheet.
- How: Stack drawings with simple riddles about grandparents (kid-created!). Laminate.
- Family fun: A bookmark that starts conversations.
Grandparents Day Card Printables (15–20)
All six cards below work great as grandparents day card printables options. Use editable PDFs so names and dates are typed in cleanly.
15) Editable “I Love You Because…” Card
- Front: Watercolor heart border (printable).
- Inside prompt: “I love you because ______________.”
- Editable fields: Student name, recipient (“Grandma,” “Nana,” “Dada,” etc.), date.
16) “Our Favorite Things” Checklist Card
- Front: Cute icons (cookies, books, garden, TV show).
- Inside: Kids check what they love to do with grandparents + add one custom line.
- Editable fields: Names + a custom activity.
17) “Then & Now” Drawing Foldable
- Layout: Two panels—“When I was tiny” and “Me today.”
- Skill: Draw-and-tell sequencing.
- Editable field: Student name on cover.
- Front: Mixing bowl and whisk border.
- Inside: Kids write a favorite recipe from or for grandparents.
- Editable fields: Title line + “From:” box.
19) “You Make Life Sweeter” Candy Wrap
- Use: Wrap around a mini candy bar or granola bar.
- Editable fields: Name + short message line.
- Print tip: Use lighter-weight paper so wraps bend easily.
20) “We’re a Perfect Pair” Sock Tag
- Use: Tag on a pair of cozy socks.
- Editable fields: To/From.
- No-candy alternative: Warm, useful, and adorable in cooler regions.
Station Rotation Plan (35–45 Minutes)
- Welcome (3 min): Show finished samples; review safety.
- Round 1 (8–10 min): Handprint or photo frame.
- Round 2 (8–10 min): Bookmark station.
- Round 3 (8–10 min): Card printable with editable fields pre-opened on a laptop.
- Finish & Pack (5–7 min): Add names, place in envelope/folder to keep pieces together.
- Pro move: Print class list mini labels to speed “From:” names on every item.
Teacher FAQ on Logistics
- How many projects per child? Two is a sweet spot for K–1; Grade 2 can handle three.
- If the child doesn’t have a grandmother, what happens?Use “Grandfriends” language and invite them to make gifts for any caring elder—neighbor, family friend, or school staff member.
- No photos? Offer the “favorite memory” drawing frame or hug bookmark with a self-portrait.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for Grandparents Day crafts for kids that actually work in real classrooms, the list above gives you 20 tried-and-true ideas—plus a big upgrade: editable PDFs for the most popular grandparents day card printable designs. These projects fit tight schedules, build fine-motor skills, and spark heartfelt conversations about family, gratitude, and traditions.
FAQs
1) When is Grandparents Day in the U.S. this year?
National Grandparents Day in 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 7 (first Sunday following Labor Day).
2) What’s the easiest grandparents day card printable for Kindergarten?
The editable “I Love You Because…” card—kids dictate or copy a short sentence, add a drawing, and you type the name field before printing.
3) I have only 30 minutes. Which two crafts should I pick?
Do a photo frame (craft sticks or laced plate) and one card printable. Both finish quickly and look polished.
4) How can I adapt for students who struggle with cutting?
Use pre-cut shapes, foam stickers, and tear-paper collages. Prioritize sticker decorating and dictation over tiny cuts.
5) Any non-candy gift alternatives?
Yes—sock tag (“Perfect Pair”), bookmark sets, and coupon books. All feel thoughtful and last longer than sweets.
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