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Interview a Grandparent
The Interview a Grandparent activity is one of the simplest and most profound things you can do with a tween
TWEENS (11 - 14 YEARS)
6/28/20262 min read
What was life like before mobile phones? What did your grandparent dream of being when they were your age? What is the best piece of advice they've ever received? What do they wish they'd known at 13?
The Interview a Grandparent activity is one of the simplest and most profound things you can do with a tween - and the conversations that emerge are ones neither of you will ever forget.
Why This Works
Tweens are at an age where they're beginning to understand that the adults in their lives had whole lives before them - and that those lives are full of stories worth hearing.
Interviewing a grandparent builds empathy, connection and a sense of family identity. It also gives grandparents something incredibly precious: the knowledge that their stories matter and are being preserved.
Activity Details
Age Group: Tweens 11–14
Time: 60–90 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
What You'll Need
A list of interview questions (prepared in advance)
Phone or voice recorder for recording the conversation
Optional: video recording for a truly precious keepsake
Sample Questions
What was your childhood home like?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What was school like for you?
What is your happiest memory?
What was the hardest thing you ever went through?
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
What are you most proud of?
What do you hope for us?
Steps
Prepare your interview questions together in advance - let your tween add their own.
Set up a comfortable space and ask permission to record the conversation.
Begin the interview gently with easy questions before moving to deeper ones.
Listen actively - follow up on anything interesting that comes up.
Record everything - written notes and audio if possible.
Afterwards, write up the interview into a document and add any old photos.
Share the finished interview with the wider family as a precious gift.
Kim's Tips 💕
Let the conversation flow naturally - the best stories come from unexpected directions
Ask "and then what happened?" as often as you need to
This makes the most beautiful gift for the whole family - printed and bound
Do this while you can - these conversations are irreplaceable 💕
You can find all you need for this activity here.
This post is part of my Tweens Activity Hub - packed with ideas for 11–14 year olds.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
With love, Kim xx