What’s a Great Gift for My Grandchild? Learning That Celebrates Any Occasion
- Rather than novelty toys or gadgets that are quickly outgrown, experiential gifts like Road Scholar educational travel programs foster quality time, mutual discovery and lasting intergenerational bonds.
- Milestone birthdays — (turning 10, 13, or 18), bar and bat mitzvahs, graduations and holidays — offer meaningful opportunities to celebrate with dedicated learning adventures.
- Exploring destinations and itineraries together over a video call or tablet empowers grandchildren to pursue their passions (from STEM and marine biology to world history) and turns trip selection into part of the gift.
When birthdays, holidays and graduations roll around, many grandparents face the same challenge. What do you give a grandchild who already seems to have everything?
More grandparents are discovering that the most meaningful gifts aren’t things at all. Instead, they’re choosing shared experiences that bring generations together while creating lifelong memories.
A Road Scholar Grandparent Adventure offers something few gifts can, including quality time, discovery, learning and the chance to strengthen family bonds through travel.
Birthdays
Whether your grandchild is turning 10 (double digits!), becoming a teenager at 13 or entering the world of adulthood at 18, an educational adventure can be a birthday gift they’ll remember long after the cake is gone. Imagine celebrating a special year by spotting whales in Alaska, exploring a national park or traveling abroad together.
“When my granddaughters turned 10 years old, they each got to pick a trip to take with me. Four years ago my oldest and I traveled to Paris with Road Scholar and had a wonderful time. Last year the youngest one picked Panama and that was an adventure I will never forget. The girls always talk about these trips.”
— Karen from Yarmouth, Mass., Road Scholar Class of ’18
Christmas and Hanukkah
When the holidays arrive, many grandparents wonder what to buy for the grandchildren who have everything. (Let’s face it, there are only so many Nee-dohs or Pokémon cards a kid needs.) An educational travel experience offers something different — anticipation, excitement and most importantly, quality time together.
Pro Tip: When you see your grandkids at the holidays this year, open up the Road Scholar website on your iPad or computer and check out potential learning adventures together! (And if you’re far apart, this makes for a great FaceTime or Zoom call!)
Bat/Bar Mitzvahs
A bar or bat mitzvah marks an important transition and celebrates learning, growth and personal responsibility. What better way to commemorate this time in their lives than with a learning adventure together? A shared travel experience offers the opportunity to honor that milestone with meaningful time together, new discoveries and memories that can last a lifetime.
“This trip was a dream come true to bond with my teen granddaughter, open her eyes to the world beyond the U.S., watch her make new best friends, absorb a new culture and have the time of her life. She will never forget it, nor will I.”
— Janet from Minnetonka, Minn., Road Scholar Class of ’25
Graduations
Graduations are natural moments to celebrate achievement and encourage future growth. Whether it’s a middle school, high school or college graduation, a Road Scholar program can mark the accomplishment while inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
“I actually took my niece to Japan for her college graduation this past April. She had wanted to go to Japan since middle school. I figured a trip such as this would be memorable as opposed to a gift or even money.”
— Laura from Saint Louis, Mo., Road Scholar Class of ’18
More Reasons to Celebrate
Of course, a Road Scholar learning adventure is a great way to celebrate any occasion with your grandchild — you could easily add events like confirmations, sweet sixteens or quinceañeras to this list. But ultimately, we have found that most grandparents are searching for “just because” opportunities to spend time together.
“I have taken eight of my 13 grandchildren on Road Scholar grandparent/grandchild trips, each on their own trip. I have LOVED this time with each of them and could not have orchestrated all the adventures and good times we had on my own. I have done trips through Road Scholar on my own, too, and loved each one, but traveling one-on-one with your grandchild is so special. Wolves, whale watching, STEM, Italy, marine science — there are programs for so many interests and age levels!”
— Barb from Ransomville, N.Y., Road Scholar Class of ’09
Are Experience Gifts Better Than Material Gifts?
For many grandparents, the goal isn’t just finding something their grandchild will enjoy. It’s finding a gift that reflects their values, creates connection and leaves a lasting impact.
A Road Scholar Grandparent Adventure gives grandchildren something they can’t unwrap. They will cherish these shared experiences, new perspectives and cherished memories with someone who knows and loves them best.
Years from now, they may not remember every birthday present or holiday gift — but they’ll definitely remember the adventure you took together.
Erika Bouchard has been a writer and creative thinker at Road Scholar for more than 17 years. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, mother and an incredibly spoiled tabby cat. When she’s not writing, you can find her somewhere in her gardens.