By Alyson Trager
July 26, 2017

Sometimes it’s difficult to think of new and creative ways to make our nieces and nephews smile. Whether we live long-distance, or a quick drive away, there’s something on this *list of simple ways to make their day!

1.    Pick them up from their summer activities as a surprise

2.    Tell them they can sleepover

3.    Mail letters to them just because – even if they live close-by

4.    Leave a piece of chocolate on their pillow before you leave

5.    Buy a goldfish, let them name it and visit it in your home

6.    Take them to the movie they want to see

7.    Let them order the fries

8.    Tell them you like their shoes

9.    Build a fort out of pillows and sheets

10.    Have a pillow fight

11.    Send them a balloon just to show you’re thinking of them

12.    Send them a virtual hug

   

via GIPHY

13.    Answer all their questions (And we all know how many questions they have)

14.    Take them grocery shopping and let them pick out a few of their favorites to cook or enjoy together when you get back to your place or theirs.

15.    Have a backwards lunch out and let them order dessert first

16.    Call or text the morning of a big test to wish them luck

17.    Let them jump on your bed

18.    Give them a special shout-out on social media

19.    Tickle them until they’re laughing out loud

20.    Play the game they like the most

21.    Play dress up in your clothes

22.    Put on a movie and let them season the popcorn however they want

23.    Ask them what radio station, podcast, or Spotify channels they want to listen to next time they’re in your car

24.    Surprise them by showing up to cheer them on at sporting events, recitals, competitions or any other event

25.    Send them the toy they really, really want for no occasion

26.    Call or text to tell them that you miss them

27.    Give them an extra-long hug

28.    Invite them over for dinner on a week night and let them choose the menu
29.    Take silly selfies

30.    Take them to an animal shelter where they are able to play with the pets

31.    Ask them to tell you a joke - and really laugh at it

32.    Have a dance party in the living room

33.    Make them something from scratch, like a painting or cookies

34.    Let them tell you the story you’ve already heard again and again but they think is hilarious

35.    Text them when you hear some interesting news about their favorite celebrity or sports hero

36.    Thank them for helping you when they pitch in

37.    Let them eat the last of the mac n’ cheese

38.    Take them for a walk in the park, at the beach, or just to let the dog out

39.    Sing for them when they ask and then let them have the spotlight

40.    Bring them soup when they’re sick

41.    Help them clean up (and organize!) their rooms

42.    Take them out for ice cream

43.    Help them study for a test

44.    Give them one more piggy back ride

45.    Leave their favorite snack on their doorstep, ring the doorbell, and run out of sight

46.    Glue googly eyes on their pencil box

47.    Put their favorite song on repeat

48.    Tell them why you’re proud of them

49.    Randomly text them a knock-knock joke

50.    Find a photo booth and take silly pictures

51.    Ask about their friends at school

52.    Read an extra story at bedtime

53.    Buy them a piggy bank and throw in some change to get them started on giving back

54.    Tell them you love them!

UPDATE! The Savvy Auntourage has added more ideas to the list!

Yasmin Wooldridge:
-  tell them family stories, i.e your childhood, how their grandparents met etc.
- tell them other stories or read poetry aloud
-  play dress up with a variety of unusual clothes
- create a stage production or movie with screen play etc.
- have a fortress made out of cardboard (my niece had one of these)
- make or find a small fairy glen or miniature garden, baby cactus works great!

Jaimee Chiat
- Leave I love you messages in their rooms - I've done it in notebooks and also on the mirror in the shower.

Felicity Fraley
- I do everything in my power to make certain Niecey knows she's loved, she's wonderful, and she has purpose in this world!

Jacqueline Guishard
- I have birthday parties on my birthday with only my nieces and nephews doing something they all love.

Megan Schmidt
- sign up for swimming lessons or a sports team and be actively in the water with them or coaching their team!

Brittney Abdella Garcia
- get on the floor and play with them

Michelle Brown
- Give them "one more minute". Before we leave them or before they leave us they always ask "one more minute" and of course more than 1 minute is always granted, who can say no to those faces?!?!

Sonnie Hirsch Carpenter
- Mani and pedis on day after last day of school and day before school starts
- nature walks with my nephews (we colored on brown paper bags and then filled them up with our finds).

Kirsty Stewart
- Great list! Some fun things I haven't thought of. Last weekend I let my 5 year old niece choose my outfit ... of course it was mis-matched prints that looked terrible! And yep, I wore it out

and finally:

Melissa Culler
All excellent ways to let your niece/nephew know they are loved!

* Savvy Auntie recommends asking the parents’ permission for some of these ideas, especially when it comes to a child's privacy.

Photo: monkeybusinessimages