AI for Grandchildren: A Grandparent's Guide

If you have grandchildren, you've probably heard them talk about using AI. They might use it for schoolwork, to play with ideas, or just out of curiosity. This guide covers both sides of that: what your grandchildren are likely doing with AI, and how you can use it yourself for practical grandparenting things like planning visits, finding gift ideas, or writing personalised stories. We've put together more guidance for families on AI if you'd like to read further.

How Can I Use AI to Help with My Grandchildren?

One thing many grandparents tell us is that they didn't realise AI could help with the practical side of grandparenting, not just the talking-about-it side. Here are a few things ChatGPT can do. Our guide to AI for grandparents has more ideas.

Planning activities. If you're having a grandchild to stay and want some ideas, try asking ChatGPT: "What are indoor activities for an eight-year-old who loves animals?" You'll get a list of specific suggestions in seconds. We tried this and got ideas ranging from making a bird feeder to setting up a simple nature journal, each with a short explanation of how to do it.

Gift ideas. Not sure what to buy for a birthday? Tell ChatGPT the child's age and interests, and it will come up with several ideas straight away. You can be as specific as you like: "ideas for a twelve-year-old girl who loves reading and hates sport."

A personalised story. Young grandchildren love a story made just for them. Ask ChatGPT to write a short tale about a child with their name and their favourite things. It takes about 30 seconds and feels like a proper gift.

Preparing for a school event. Before a grandparents' morning or school play, ask ChatGPT to explain what the year group is studying. It helps you feel more involved and gives you better questions to ask.

What Are My Grandchildren Using AI For?

Most of the time, it's for school. Many children use AI chatbots to have a tricky subject explained simply. It can work like a patient tutor who never gets tired of answering the same question a different way. They also use it for brainstorming ideas for projects or practising for tests.

Some use it for fun: writing a silly story, creating an AI-generated picture of themselves as a cartoon character, or asking it random questions out of curiosity. Snapchat has a built-in AI assistant called My AI which many teenagers use for recommendations and chat. Research from the Brookings Institution found that AI tools are already present in many children's lives well before secondary school. For a fuller picture of which apps grandchildren are using, see our guide to AI for grandparents.

How Do I Talk to My Grandchildren About AI?

The most helpful thing you can do is be curious rather than concerned. Banning it or being anxious can shut the conversation down before it starts. A good approach is to ask them to show you. If you have your own worries first, our page on common fears about AI is a reassuring starting point.

You could say something like: "I've heard a lot about this AI stuff. Could you show me how it works?" When they teach you, it opens the door to a gentle chat. You can ask questions like, "That's clever. How do you know if the answer is right?"

The NSPCC recommends keeping these conversations calm and age-appropriate. Research published by The Conversation suggests framing AI as a tool to be curious about, rather than something to fear or ban outright. Common Sense Media has helpful ratings and guidance on AI tools aimed at families if you want to know which apps are suitable for which ages.

These tools are here to stay, and your grandchildren will grow up with them. Your calm, interested guidance is more useful than any technical rule. The goal is an open conversation, not a perfect understanding of how the technology works.

If you'd like to try AI yourself so you can join in rather than just watch from the side, the WellWired Academy has a short, friendly course built for people who are completely new to it.

What Simple Rules Should We Agree On?

You don't need to be a tech expert to set a few sensible boundaries. The most important ones are:

• Keep personal information private. A good rule for the whole family is not to share names, addresses, schools, or photos in an AI chat. See our guide on what not to share with an AI chatbot for a full list.
• Double-check the facts. AI can get things wrong. Encourage them to treat its answers as a starting point and to check facts with a school book or a trusted website.
• Use it for help, not for cheating. Most schools want to see a child's own work. Talk to them about using AI to understand a topic or make a plan, not to write the final essay for them.

For practical guidance on keeping children safe online, the charity Internet Matters has free resources for UK families. For tips on keeping your own AI use safe, see our guide to staying safe with AI.

What Can We Try with AI Together?

Playing with it together can be a nice way to learn without it feeling like a lesson. Here are a few things you could try.

• "Explain fractions in a simple way for a 10-year-old."
• "Give us three ideas for a short story about a lost dog."
• "Can you create a practice quiz on the Tudors with five questions?"
• "Explain the water cycle like I'm 12 years old."

FAQ: Your Questions About AI and Grandchildren

If you would like to try AI yourself, the WellWired Academy has a short, friendly course built for people who are completely new to it.