Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in Franklin:
 Getty Images via Canva |
1. Take them out for a special meal in Franklin or Spring Hill:
Here are three of our favorite Franklin and Spring Hill-owned restaurants:
- Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery in Spring Hill, TN is open 7am-9pm on Sundays.
- Puckett’s Grocery in Historic Downtown Franklin, or other nearby locations in Nashville, Columbia, and Murfreesboro, is open 7am-9pm on Sundays.
- Marcy Jo's Mealhouse and Bakery in Columbia, TN is open 8am-2pm on Sundays.
2. Go for a walk in the woods around Franklin or Spring Hill
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails in and around Franklin or Spring Hill that are accessible to all:
- Radnor Lake in Brentwood has a wide, paved loop around the park that’s perfect for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Timberland Park can be found along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Franklin and has beautiful vistas and lots of easy trails including an ADA accessible trail.
- Edwin Warner Park just north of Franklin features several trails including the Little Acorns trail designed for children 6 and under and The Old Roadway, a 2.1 mile paved loop with access to beautiful scenery.
3. Plan a picnic in Franklin or Spring Hill
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are three great spots in and around Franklin or Spring Hill for a family picnic:
- Arrington Vineyards just outside of Franklin, TN allows visitors to bring their own food on site for picnics on their lovely grounds.
- Sarah Benson Park in Thompson's Station, TN features two pavilions with picnic tables as well as open grassy fields, a walking trail around the park, and a playground.
- Pinkerton Park located right next to Historic Downtown Franklin features pavilions, open grassy fields, a paved loop, and playgrounds.
 Getty Images via Canva |
4. Let your child share one of their favorite places in Franklin, Spring Hill, and surrounding areas...
Does your child have a favorite Franklin trampoline park, amusement park, or Spring Hill playground? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Your children, in turn, will probably love to tour Grandma and Grandpa around their favorite place in Franklin. Here are three fun spots around Franklin where kids can play and there is plenty of room for adults to watch (or take part!):
- Defy Trampoline Park is kid-favorite for indoor play in Brentwood. While the kids bounce, swing, or climb, adults can have a seat and enjoy the fun from afar.
- Third Coast Clay located inside The Factory in Franklin is the perfect place for both kids and grandparents to enjoy painting a piece of pottery. Bonus: Grandparents can take home their grandchild's creations as a little keepsake.
- S.O.A.R. Adventure Tower just off of I-65 in Franklin offers adventures ranging in difficulty for ages 3 to adult. Observers are allowed free access to the observation deck with benches and tables.
Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places in Franklin.
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity in Franklin or Spring Hill that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Visit a museum around Franklin together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are three great museums close to Franklin that will be open on Grandparents Day:
- Lane Motor Museum for car enthusiasts.
- Carter House, Carnton, and Rippavilla for history buffs.
- Adventure Science Center for all things STEM.
7. Say hi to the animals in and around Franklin
Grandparents probably love to see animals as much as their grandkids! Here are three places to go and see the animals around Franklin on Grandparents Day:
- Nashville Zoo just north of Franklin is open 9am-6pm every day.
- Noble Springs Dairy in Franklin is not open on Sundays, but they offer farm tours on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Preservation Park in Thompson's Station has a walking trail that runs right past the Tennessee Equine Sanctuary where you can view horses. You are warned not to touch or feed the horses for their own safety and yours.
 Monkey Business Images via Canva |
8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in Franklin being silly together.
9. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are three great Franklin-owned ice cream places we love:
- Hattie Jane's Creamery has locations in Franklin, Columbia, Murfreesboro, and Nashville.
- Kilwins Franklin can be found along Main Street in Historic Downtown Franklin.
- Andy's Frozen Custard is located off Main Street in Spring Hill and features outdoor seating.
10. Plan a photo shoot
Grandparents love family photos (and who doesn't?!?), so arrange a photo shoot with a Franklin or Spring Hill photographer for Grandparents Day (subject to the photographer's availability), or gift them a certificate to use later. Here are three great Franklin photographers who specialize in family photos:
 Getty Images Signature via Canva |
