Grandparents aren’t just showing up with toys anymore—they’re increasingly paying for the things that make modern childhood and family life more expensive.
1. Family Vacations
Nearly one in four grandparents surveyed by The Senior List helps pay for vacations or travel to see grandchildren. That fits a bigger trend: 57% of grandparents in a 2025 family-travel survey planned a multigenerational trip, turning Grandma and Grandpa into part of the travel budget.
2. Summer Camps
AARP found grandparents are helping cover camps and other childcare expenses, not simply buying birthday presents. For working parents, a contribution toward summer activities can be far more valuable than another toy.
3. Clothes and Shoes
Clothing has become a major category of grandparent spending. The Senior List found 62% of grandparents who provide financial support buy clothing or shoes for their grandchildren—meaning Grandma may be paying for sneakers while Mom handles the groceries.
4. School Supplies
Grandparents are increasingly helping with practical costs that parents once handled alone. AARP found school supplies among the expenses grandparents commonly help cover, alongside food, childcare and camps.
5. Cash Instead of Stuff
The gift doesn’t always come in a box. A 2026 YouGov survey found 72% of parents and grandparents give monetary gifts, including cash, checks, gift cards or investments. Convenience—and avoiding an unwanted present—is a major reason.
6. College and Savings
Some grandparents are thinking far beyond the next birthday. The Senior List found 22% contribute to college savings, while AARP estimates grandparents provide $172 billion in direct financial support to grandchildren annually.
Sources
- AARP Research — Grandparents Provide $731 Billion in Unpaid Care of Grandchildren
- AARP Research — Grandparents Invest in Their Grandkids’ Future
- The Senior List — 2025 Grandparent Spending Report
- NYU SPS — 2025 Family Travel Survey
- CD Valet — 2026 Monetary Gifts Survey