19 Best Tech Tools and Apps for Long-Distance Grandparenting
Being a grandparent is one of life’s greatest gifts. But it can be hard when you live far away from your grandchildren. It’s easy for both parties to get caught up in their own lives and have a hard time reconnecting because of work, crazy schedules, and time zone differences. If this sounds like you and you’re concerned about how you can connect with your kids and grandkids more often, I’ve got you covered. Here are some cool tech tools and apps to help you navigate life as a long-distance grandparent. Some of these tools are even good for more than just keeping in touch, like monitoring devices and medication management tools.
Here are some general ways to help grandparents and their children navigate long-distance grandparenting:
Video Chat Services
Video calls and services make staying in touch much easier and more personal. Compared to phone calls and texting, video is better because you can truly see how everyone is doing and feeling. Video calls make it easier to avoid misconstruing or misunderstanding communication, unlike in a text or email. The best part? Services like Skype, Facetime, and Google Meet are free to use, so you’re able to keep in touch anytime, anywhere!
Remote Monitoring Devices
If you don’t have the money to pay for a home care aid, remote monitoring devices are your next best bet. They allow you to keep an eye out on your relatives by setting up smart home sensors and programming them to send alerts about the home environment and your loved ones’ behavior. This way, if something is off, you will know right away. You may also want to look into a medical alert system as well. However, do your research because there are all kinds of factors that go into choosing a company, like activation fees, battery life, and customer service quality.
Online Shopping
Online shopping is a wonderful convenience and can be a lifesaver for a grandparent. Especially if they have a hard time getting around or have other physical, emotional, or mental issues that they struggle with. It can also be a lifesaver for their kids because they can order whatever their parents need and have it sent to their door.
Medication Management Tools
Sometimes our loved ones forget to take their medications or how to take them. Luckily, there are smartphone apps to help remind your loved one to take their medications on time. A few of them will also alert you when they are running low and need a refill. An automatic pill dispenser may also be an idea if your loved one is forgetful.
Online Support Groups
There are support groups for all kinds of things. Look for an online support group for long-distance grandparenting to connect with others and get ideas and tips to connect with your loved ones!
Apps
Lovebox
Lovebox is a way to turn messages and pictures into gifts. The Lovebox app allows a person to edit the perfect photo or message to send to their family member’s Lovebox. When the Lovebox receives a message from the app, a heart spins until your loved one lifts the lid and sees the message. This app is available on iOS and Android.
Caribu
Caribu is like a video messaging app designed specifically for kids. They can read stories, play games, and color or draw with their favorite family members while they chat. The best part? One subscription covers everyone in your family so you can send invites to as many people as you want and it won’t cost them a thing. Even better? Caribu supports military families, so every subscription bought helps keep military personnel and their children connected. Available on iOS and Android.
MyHeritage
My Heritage DNA is another DNA company. Their DNA test allows you to discover specific groups you descend from among 21,000 places around the world. You can also find both close and distant relatives who have also undergone the test. By combining DNA and your family tree, you can build a full picture of your heritage for your grandkids. Available on iOS and Android.
Wise
Need to send money to your grandkids for Christmas or their birthday? Wise is one of the best ways to do this. It’s fast, and secure and you can transfer money to people in different countries. So if you live outside the U.S., no worries. Wise has you covered. Available on iOS and Android.
Earlybird
Are you interested in investing for your grandchildren with just a few taps? Earlybird will let you do just that. Their parents need to set up a custodial account and after that, anybody can add money to it at any time. Once they turn legal age, 18 or 21 depending on the state, they can use that money for whatever they want, like going to college or getting married. Available on iOS.
Keepy
This is a great way for parents to share artwork, photos, and schoolwork with grandparents. This app helps parents organize photos and video clips that show their child’s progress. You can share photos, brief video clips, and share with your family members who become “fans” of your child. Then grandparents can reply via video, voice, or text comments. Family members can also order prints, canvases, or photo books as well. On iOS and Android.
Kinzoo Together
This is another interactive video calling app you can read, play games, and draw together on. You can also scan your own books and PDFs so your family can read even more things together.
FamilyAlbum
This app is a secure, private, and easy way to share your photos with family in an easy-to-understand way, even for those who aren’t the most technical. You get unlimited storage, compilation videos that piece together clips of your best memories, and no ads. There is a premium option as well. If your family member doesn’t have a mobile device, there is a browser version of Family Album. Available on iOS and Android.
TinyBeans
TinyBeans is a cool app that is like a digital baby book. TinyBeans allows parents to track their child’s milestones with pictures, videos, updates on weight and height, and more. Parents can instantly share these updates with family. They offer unlimited photo storage, which is sorted by date, a digital family journal, and a way to remember all your child’s milestones. Available on iOS and Android.
Kahoot!
This app allows you to create quizzes on all kinds of topics for your family. It’s a great way for grandparents and grandkids to learn together with a healthy dose of friendly competition. Kids can also study alone. You can create your own study modules with your kids and then challenge your family members while you play during a video call. On iOS and Android.
KOYA
This app allows you to send messages or money to your family and surprise them when they show up in certain spots. The app uses geolocation technology, which allows you to send messages and money that only appear when the recipient shows up at the location you select. For example, sending your granddaughter money to pay for her drink at her favorite coffee spot. Available on iOS.
Kast
This app allows people to screen share the movie or TV show you’re watching with your whole family so you can watch it together at once. You can also text, voice message, or video chat with each other while watching together. Kast is available on both mobile devices and on computers, so it’s perfect for all family members, mobile device or not. Note: You can access some content for free, but you will need a subscription in order to screen share and other features. Available on iOS and Android.
Words With Friends 2
If your family loves playing word games together, this is your app. You can play against your friends and family in the classic game. You can also take solo challenges to improve your skills, lightning rounds that are team-based if the classic game is taking too long, and head-to-head duels in order to play super fast. The classic game is best if you live in different time zones while the lightning rounds are more like family game night. Available on iOS and Android.
This app is more convenient than texting and more secure than social media. Family members can send messages, photos, videos, and do voice or video chats. This is all done without using minutes or using SMS messages. Aside from any charges accrued on your phone plan, this app allows you to call family anywhere in the world for free. You can also create groups of up to 256 people to send content to your whole family at once. You can also create smaller groups with your closest family. Available on iOS and Android.
The BEST Tech Tools for Long-Distance Grandparenting
Grandparents are blessed that we live in an age where technology makes it so easy to stay in touch with our grandchildren. Look at this list and see which apps will help bring you closer to your family and grandchildren today!
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Originally published January 28, 2025
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