If you feel like the playground has completely changed since you were raising children, you are not alone. Today, more than half of grandparents are providing regular care for their grandchildren, according to the Australian Seniors Grandparents Report. Even more impressive? Nearly half of them want to be even more involved.
Building that connection today often means navigating digital worlds and online games. If the thought of picking up a video game controller makes you nervous, take a breath. You do not need to be a technology expert to bond with your grandkids over their favourite games. It is simply about showing a bit of curiosity.
Let Them Be the Boss
Digital parenting expert Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov suggests the easiest way to start is by letting your grandchild take the wheel. Ask them to show you their favourite game and explain how it works.
“Kids love it when adults take an interest in the things they are passionate about,” says Dr. Milovidov. “Inviting children to take the lead flips the traditional learning dynamic and allows them to be the expert for a change.”
This simple switch takes the pressure off you and creates a fun, natural conversation.
Jump In and Play
Watching is great, but playing together is where the magic happens. Platforms like Roblox have created free spaces, such as Family Zone, specifically designed to help families explore games together in a low-pressure environment.
When you ask your grandchild to teach you how to move around or complete a task, you are building their confidence. Plus, getting it wrong can be the best part. As Dr. Milovidov notes, having a laugh over a silly mistake in the game is often the memory everyone talks about later.
Keeping Things Safe (Without the Stress)
It is completely normal to worry about online safety, but you do not need a computer science degree to keep things secure. The secret is knowing which tools are available.
Familiarising yourself with family controls can make you feel much more confident. Most modern platforms allow you to set boundaries easily. For instance, Roblox offers several safety features:
- Screen time limits: Set a cap on daily play to ensure a healthy balance.
- Chat controls: Manage exactly who your grandchildren can talk to.
- Spending controls: Stop surprise credit card bills from in-game purchases.
- Age checks: Ensure they are only interacting with people their own age.
Roblox also has specific account types. “Roblox Kids” for ages 5 to 8 limits games to younger audiences and turns off chat by default. For the 9 to 15 crowd, “Roblox Select” gradually opens up more features while keeping parental safeguards firmly in place.
Bridging the Distance
Not every grandparent lives just down the road. If you are separated by distance, online gaming is a brilliant way to stay involved between physical visits.
“A lot of grandparents already play card games, do puzzles or watch their favourite shows with their grandkids,” says Dr. Milovidov. “Gaming can be another version of that. It gives you something to do together, something to laugh about, and something to talk about long after you have logged off.”
Setting up your own account means you can log in and play together from anywhere. If you are stuck for ideas, resources like the Roblox Learning Hub or the eSafety website offer great advice on finding educational, safe games. Next time you see your grandkids, ask them what they are playing. You might just find your new favourite hobby.
