Wishes for grandparents work best when they match each grandchild's age. A preschooler can wave and say two words, a school-age child can share one sentence, and a teenager or adult grandchild can add a meaningful memory. The goal is to hear the child's own voice, not a speech written by an adult.
For preschoolers: tiny messages
- Grandma, I love you! Big kisses!
- Grandpa, happy birthday! Sending a big hug!
- Grandma, I wish you lots of smiles!
- Grandpa, let's go for another walk soon!
Spontaneity matters more than perfect delivery. If the child giggles or changes the words, that's part of the charm.
For primary-school children
- Grandma, thank you for baking with me. I wish you health and lots of happy days.
- Grandpa, I love your stories. I hope we see each other often.
- Grandma, you're the champion of our games. Have a wonderful day!
- Grandpa, thank you for showing me so many interesting things.
For teenagers
- Grandma, thanks for always asking how I am and really listening to the answer.
- Grandpa, I remember our adventures and jokes. Wishing you health and many more trips.
- Grandma, I hope we make more time for relaxed conversations. All my love!
- Grandpa, I appreciate being able to ask your advice, even when I choose a different path.
For adult grandchildren
- Grandma, only now do I realize how much your little gestures meant. Thank you.
- Grandpa, your stories are part of my childhood. I hope we make many more memories together.
- Grandma, I wish you peace, health, and the feeling that we're close even when miles apart.
- Grandpa, thank you for inspiring my curiosity. I wish you many beautiful days.
A four-part group video from grandchildren
- Opening: the youngest child says “Dear Grandma!” or “Dear Grandpa!”
- Memories: two grandchildren each mention a favorite shared activity.
- Wishes: older grandchildren talk about health, joy, and future visits.
- Finale: everyone records a quick “We love you!” for a sequence of smiling faces.
In Poland, Grandmother's Day is celebrated on January 21 and Grandfather's Day on January 22. Dates differ elsewhere; these wishes also work for birthdays, family celebrations, or a simple “thinking of you” surprise.
For parents: make recording comfortable for young children, and get appropriate permission before sharing a child's video beyond the family. Relatives can collect clips via WishClan and make one video for the grandparents.
Matching the length to each child's age
Grandchildren of different ages speak very differently on camera. The youngest will usually say one sentence and show a smile. Older children can tell a short story from a holiday or from kindergarten. Teenagers often prefer to write a few lines and read them out.
Prepare a simple prompt for each age group. For little ones: "Tell grandma you love her." For older children: "What do you enjoy doing with grandpa?" For teenagers: "What are you grateful for?" That way every recording has its own rhythm.
Remember that children record with an adult's help. Being nearby is good, but the adult shouldn't put words in their mouth. The most touching recordings are the ones where a child speaks in their own words, even if they stumble.
Finally, decide the order of the recordings. The youngest can open the film and the adult grandchildren can close it. That order gives the film a natural flow and lets grandparents follow how the grandchildren have grown.
How to get grandparents to watch the film together
Grandparents often feel the film is "for the young ones", so plan to watch it together. It could be over lunch, on a walk, or over coffee when everyone is in one place. A film watched as a family means more than one watched alone on a phone.
If the grandparents live far away, check whether they can watch on a larger screen, such as a television. For many older people a big picture and clear sound make a real difference.
It also helps to add a short introduction. One sentence from a grandchild or a child explaining why the film was made gives it meaning and sets the mood from the start.
