Five Ways Grandparents Can Help Their Grandchildren Learn Through Play

Grandparents hold a special kind of teaching power. Without the daily pressures parents carry homework, bedtime, schedules, grandparents often have the patience and presence to turn ordinary playtime into real learning. Research on child development consistently shows that play isn't just fun; it's how young children build language, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. Here are five simple ways grandparents can lean into that role.

1. Follow Their Lead, Not Yours

One of the most powerful things a grandparent can do is let the child choose the game. When kids direct their own play, they build confidence, decision-making skills, and a sense of ownership over their ideas. Instead of steering the activity, try asking, "What should we play?" and see where their imagination takes you. Bubbles & Goo's open play area allows for your grandkids to freely explore, where their imagination can run wild!

2. Turn Everyday Moments into Sensory Learning

You don't need a classroom to teach. Squishing playdough, pouring water between cups, or working with slime and bubbles engages a child's senses in ways that support brain development especially for younger children still building fine motor skills. Hands-on, tactile play has been linked to improved focus and self-regulation, which is part of why sensory play spaces have become so popular for family outings.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions During Play

Instead of narrating what a child is doing, try asking questions that invite them to explain their thinking: "What do you think will happen if we mix these colors?" or "Why did you build it that way?" These small prompts build vocabulary and encourage kids to think out loud a skill that pays off well beyond the playroom.

4. Let Them Struggle a Little

It can be tempting to jump in and fix a puzzle piece that won't fit or rebuild a tower that keeps falling. But a little productive struggle teaches resilience. Grandparents are often in a unique position to slow down and let a grandchild work through frustration, offering encouragement rather than a quick solution.

5. Make Room for Pretend Play

Pretend play, playing house, running a "store," or acting out a story helps children practice empathy, social skills, and understanding of the world around them. Join in when invited, take on a silly role, and let the story unfold in whatever direction your grandchild wants to take it. The slime containers allow for children to explore their creativity by turning slime into a birthday cake or a camp fire!

Play Is the Point

At the end of the day, learning through play isn't about turning every moment into a lesson. It's about being present, curious, and willing to get a little messy together. Grandparents who make space for open-ended, hands-on play are giving their grandchildren something that lasts well beyond the activity itself confidence, curiosity, and connection.

Looking for a place built for exactly this kind of hands-on, sensory-rich play? Bubbles & Goo Fun Factory in Kansas City's River Market is designed for grandparents and grandkids to explore, create, and learn together.