The best ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day this October

The best ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day this October

The last Sunday in October marks NSW Grandparents Day - a time to honour the love, wisdom, guidance of the grandparents and older people who enrich our lives.

• Sunday 26 October 2025
• Sunday 25 October 2026

From sharing stories and traditions to offering unconditional support, grandparents create priceless connections across generations. This special day is the perfect opportunity to say thank you and spend quality time together, whether it’s a family lunch, a scenic cruise on Sydney Harbour, or simply a heartfelt chat over a cuppa.

Discover simple, meaningful ways to celebrate and make Grandparents Day special.

Celebrating grandparents

Grandparents Day has become the new favourite on the family calendar. It's a great reason to gather the family and spend some quality time together celebrating the special role grandparents and elders play in our lives. No-one ever loves you the way grandparents do!

There are plenty of ways to celebrate and create fabulous new memories.

Water lovers

For those that love water you can’t go past Sydney Harbour. Ferries and cruises offer a great day out visiting the array of islands, beaches and restaurants around the Harbour. The advantage of restaurant-style cruise boats is that smaller children can marvel at all the ferries, sailing boats and tugs criss-crossing the Harbour through huge windows in a safe enclosed environment. For older kids its hard to beat jumping on a ferry, sitting on the top deck with the wind in your hair. Of course the faster the better so rocket ferries will add extra excitement. Captain Cook Cruises is one of the few operators who celebrates Grandparents Day in style.

Grandparents choice

Of course the kids and grandkids don’t have to be the focus. When you can’t be with your loved loves, let them choose their own adventure! Grandparents in their fifties, sixties and seventies often have more time and energy than their kids, especially if the grandkids are still small. So rather than a family get together that suits the grandkids, give them an experience that suits their unique personality.

Maybe tandem sky diving has been on their bucket list for years, or they’ve been yearning to experience a new restaurant. Maybe they have always wanted to try a six-course degustation dinner with matching wines, or create their own personal perfume. For others something as simple as high performance golf balls or pure new wool for their next knitting project will really hit the spot!

See what others do

There are some fun ideas already put together for you on the NSW Grandparents Day website including morning teas, a games afternoon, and family fun performances. For those living further away, a phone call or facetime with a little added fun could be just the thing.

Some simple ideas

• Attend an event: Check your local council website for Grandparents Day events
• Art & craft: Create an artwork, write a poem, or make a family tree together
• Celebrate together: Gather the family on a Sydney Harbour lunch or sightseeing cruise
• Reading: Read a book together or attend Story Time at your local library
• Outdoor activities: Visit your favourite park for a play and a picnic
• Storytelling: Tell stories about your childhood memories and share old photos
• Baking & cooking: Pass on a family recipe or invent something new together
• Share & Learn: Share your knowledge about a favourite topic, or teach the grandkids a new skill

Spending time together on Grandparents Day

However you celebrate Grandparents Day, make sure they know exactly how much you appreciate all that they do. Afterall “a grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend”.

Show your gratitude with an experience gift

If you aren't able to get together on Grandparents Day but are keen to show your appreciation for the grandparents or elders in your circle and all they do, why not gift them an experience. Sydney Harbour Gift Certificates are open-dated so they can travel when it suits them, and if you're lucky you may even be invited to join in!