In the United States, Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 12, 2027. The US designation places it on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This is a US date; other countries observe grandparents on different days, or not at all.
The day began with Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia, who campaigned for it for years. West Virginia first observed it in 1973, and President Carter proclaimed the first National Grandparents Day for September 10, 1978 (e-WV; American Presidency Project).
You can mark it with a visit, a call or a small record of something your grandparent wants to share. Ask what they would enjoy before planning a surprise.
Choose an activity that fits the person
| If they enjoy… | Try… | Keep it comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking | Make a familiar dish together | Let them choose whether to cook or explain |
| Photographs | Look through a few pictures | Avoid making them identify a whole album |
| Being outside | Visit a place they like | Check travel and seating needs |
| Talking about family | Ask about one person or occasion | Let them choose the subject |
| Quiet company | Spend time together without a project | A story is optional |
A celebration does not need to produce a recording. Time together can be the whole plan.
Questions to try
- Which place from your life would you like to show me?
- What did you enjoy doing at my age?
- Who taught you something you still use?
- Is there a photograph you would like to tell me about?
- What would you like us to do together again?
Ask one and listen. If a detail catches your attention, follow it rather than moving immediately to the next question. Our grandparent questions include more options for grandma, grandpa and other people you call a grandparent.
When you live apart
Arrange a call at a time they choose. Send a photograph beforehand if that helps, and check that they can open it. A letter works when a call or video chat is awkward.
If children are involved, give them a small role: choose one question, draw a picture or explain a recent event. Avoid expecting a child or grandparent to perform for a recording.
A gift that does not create work
Choose something they want to keep or use. A captioned photograph, a short letter or help with an existing photo collection can be more welcome than a large project requiring weeks of replies.
The grandparent gift guide helps distinguish gifts for grandma, grandpa and grandparents who prefer experiences. Confirm printing and shipping schedules before promising a physical gift by the date.
If the day is difficult
For some families the day is a reminder of grandparents who have died, who are estranged, or whom they never met. You can skip it, or spend it with an older friend or neighbor who has been like a grandparent to your children. Nobody owes a public family story.
If you record a conversation, ask first and agree who may hear it. Name the file with the date and the speaker so someone can make sense of it in twenty years.