Written by: The Grandparent Connector (Your Long-Distance Love Specialist)
They’re growing up so fast. Last month they could barely talk. This month they’re singing songs. Next month they’ll be in kindergarten.
You’re missing it. Not because you don’t care, but because you live three states away and phone calls with a three-year-old don’t really work.
Video chat changes everything. You can read them bedtime stories. Watch them show off new toys. See their faces light up when they recognize you on the screen. Be part of their daily life even from far away.
We work with grandparents all over Orange County who ache to see their grandkids more often. Video chat isn’t the same as being there, but it’s so much better than just phone calls.
Don’t want to read all this? We completely get it. You want to see your grandkids right now, not struggle through technical setup. That’s what we do at Teach Me Tech OC. We come to your home anywhere in Orange County (or meet online through Google Meet), set up video chat on whatever device you have, practice with you, and make absolutely sure you can call your grandkids confidently whenever you want. We’ll even coordinate with your kids to make sure everyone’s using the same app and knows the schedule. Just reach out.
Quick Overview: Video Chatting with Grandkids
Best Apps for Video Chat:
- FaceTime (if everyone has iPhones/iPads)
- Zoom (works on everything, great for groups)
- Facebook Messenger (if you’re already on Facebook)
- WhatsApp (popular, works internationally)
What Makes Good Video Chats with Grandkids:
- Keep them short (10-20 minutes max)
- Have activities planned (read books, show toys)
- Let them lead conversation
- Schedule regular times so they expect it
What You Need:
- Phone, tablet, or computer with camera
- WiFi connection
- Their parent’s phone number or email
- Patience (technology and toddlers both require it)
Why Video Chat Is Worth the Effort
Phone calls with small kids are tough. They don’t sit still. They don’t understand phone etiquette. You ask how school was and they just breathe into the phone for 30 seconds.
Video chat is different. They can show you things. You can see their expressions. You can read together, play games, have actual interactions that feel real.
We helped a grandmother in San Clemente whose grandkids live in Boston. She was heartbroken missing so much of their lives. Set her up with FaceTime. Now she reads to them three nights a week before bed. The kids ask for her specifically. “Is it Grandma book night?” They feel close despite the distance.
That’s worth learning some new technology.
Starting Your First Video Chat with Grandkids
The hardest part is the first call. After that, it gets easier every time.
For the First Call, Have Their Parent Help
Tips:
- Ask your son or daughter (the parent) to be there for first video chat
- They can help kids stay focused, hold device, troubleshoot if something goes wrong
- Keep it short (5-10 minutes)
- Just say hi, see each other’s faces
- Maybe show them one thing (your cat, cookie you’re eating, weather outside)
- End while it’s still going well
- Don’t wait until they’re bored and wandering off
- Better to leave them wanting more
For Second and Third Calls
Progression:
- Try 15-20 minutes
- Have one activity planned (we’ll talk about activities below)
- By third or fourth call, this starts feeling normal
- Kids know what to expect
- You’ll know which buttons to push
- It becomes routine
Choosing the Right App to Video Chat with Grandkids
Your kids (the parents) probably already have a preference. Ask them what they use. If they say FaceTime, use FaceTime. If they say Zoom, use Zoom.
But if they say “whatever you want,” here’s our advice:
FaceTime
Best if:
- Everyone has iPhones or iPads
- Already installed, super easy, great quality
- Just works
- But only for Apple devices
Zoom
Best if:
- Works on everything (iPhones, Android, computers, tablets)
- Free for calls up to 40 minutes
- Little more complicated than FaceTime but still pretty simple
- Best for group calls with multiple grandkids or multiple grandparents joining
Facebook Messenger
Best if:
- You’re already on Facebook and so are your kids
- Video calling built into app you already use
- Works across devices
Best if:
- Popular for families spread across different countries
- Free international video calls
- Works on everything
Don’t overthink this. Pick one, learn it, stick with it. Switching between apps just makes everything harder.
Setting Up FaceTime to Video Chat with Grandkids
If you have iPhone or iPad and your grandkids have iPhones or iPads, FaceTime is the easiest option.
Make Sure FaceTime Is Turned On
Steps:
- Settings > FaceTime
- Toggle it on
- Sign in with Apple ID if it asks
Save Their Contact Info
Steps:
- You need grandkids’ phone number or email saved in Contacts
- Parent’s phone number usually works (kids use parents’ devices)
- Open Contacts app
- Add new contact
- Put parent’s name, their phone number
- Save it
Starting a FaceTime Call
Steps:
- Open FaceTime app
- Tap plus sign
- Type your daughter’s name (or whoever’s device kids use)
- Tap video camera icon next to their name
- Call rings
- They answer
- You see their faces
During the Call
Your face shows in small box in corner. Their faces fill screen. Talk normally. Microphone picks you up fine.
To end call, tap red phone icon.
That’s the whole process. Gets easier every time.
Setting Up Zoom to Video Chat with Grandkids
Zoom takes slightly more setup than FaceTime, but works on any device.
Download Zoom
Steps:
- Phone/tablet: App Store or Google Play Store
- Search “Zoom”
- Download blue camera icon app
- Computer: Go to zoom.us, click download
Create Free Account (Optional But Helpful)
Steps:
- Open Zoom
- Tap “Sign Up Free”
- Use your email
- Create password
- Confirm email
You can use Zoom without account, but having one makes it easier to start your own calls.
Your First Zoom Call with Grandkids
Easiest way: have your kids send you Zoom link. They create meeting, send link via text or email. You tap link, Zoom opens, you’re in call.
To Start Your Own Zoom Call
Steps:
- Open Zoom
- Tap “New Meeting”
- Your video turns on
- Tap “Invite” at bottom
- Send invitation to your kids via text or email
- When they tap your link, they join you
For regular scheduled calls:
- Tap “Schedule” instead
- Pick date and time
- Zoom creates meeting
- Send link ahead of time
- Everyone joins at scheduled time
We set up weekly Saturday morning Zoom calls for family in Mission Viejo. Grandparents in California, kids in Texas and New York. Everyone joins same Zoom link every Saturday at 10am. Grandkids show off what they did that week. Works beautifully.
Activities That Keep Grandkids Engaged on Video Chat
Little kids can’t just sit and talk for 20 minutes. You need activities.
Reading Books Together
Best activity:
- Hold book up to camera
- Read slowly, showing them pictures
- Ask questions about what they see
- Works great for bedtime video chats
- They get settled in bed, you read story, say goodnight
- Sweet routine
Show and Tell
How it works:
- “Go get your favorite toy and show Grandma!”
- They run off, come back with stuffed animal or truck
- They show you, you ask questions about it
- They tell you all about it
- You can show them things too
- Your garden, your dog, puzzle you’re working on
- Kids love seeing your world
Singing Songs
Simple and fun:
- Sing their favorite songs together
- Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, whatever they’re into
- Use hand motions they can copy
Playing I Spy
Easy game:
- “I spy with my little eye something that is red”
- They look around their room
- Guess what you see on video
- Then they do I Spy for you
Drawing Together
Creative activity:
- Both grab paper and crayons
- “Let’s both draw a house!”
- Draw together
- Show each other pictures when done
Eating Meals or Snacks Together
Just being together:
- Have your coffee while they have breakfast
- Have your lunch while they have lunch
- Just being together during normal activities creates connection
Someone in Irvine does “cookie time” every Tuesday. She bakes cookies while video chatting with grandkids. They watch her bake, she shows them each step, they talk about their day. When they visit in person, she bakes those same cookies. Creates shared memories.
Technical Tips for Better Video Chats with Grandkids
Prop Your Device at Eye Level
- Don’t hold phone
- Prop on stand or lean against something at eye level
- If laptop, put on stack of books
- Camera points at face, not up at ceiling
Good Lighting Matters
- Sit facing window during day
- Turn on lights at night
- Want light on your face so they can see you clearly
Sound Is Important
- Quiet background
- Turn off TV
- Maybe close windows if it’s loud outside
- Want them to hear you clearly
- If you have earbuds or headphones, use them
- You’ll hear better, less echo
Strong WiFi Connection
- Video calls need good internet
- Sit near WiFi router if possible
- Weak WiFi makes video freeze and calls drop
Start with Device Fully Charged
- Video drains battery fast
- Start at 100% or keep plugged in during calls
What to Do When Grandkids Lose Interest
They will lose interest. It’s normal. They’re kids.
Signs They’re Done
- Looking away from screen constantly
- Getting up and leaving
- One-word answers
- Playing with other things while you talk
When this happens, wrap it up. “Okay sweetie, Grandma’s going to go now. I love you! See you next time!”
Don’t drag it out. Don’t get hurt feelings. They’re kids with short attention spans. Not personal.
Better to end on good note after 10 minutes than push for 30 minutes where they’re miserable and you’re frustrated.
How to Hold Their Attention Longer
Tips:
- Multiple activities (read 5 minutes, show and tell 5 minutes, sing song 2 minutes)
- Switching activities keeps them engaged
- Let them control things (“What do you want to show Grandpa today?”)
- Give them agency
- Bring surprises (hold up funny hat, make silly faces)
- Do something unexpected that makes them laugh
- Schedule calls when they’re naturally attentive
- Not right before naptime when cranky
- Not during favorite TV show
- Find sweet spot
Making Regular Video Chats with Grandkids a Routine
One-off video calls are nice. Regular scheduled video chats are amazing.
Pick Day and Time That Works
Examples:
- Every Sunday at 4pm
- Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm for bedtime stories
- Every Saturday morning at 10am
Consistency Means
- Kids expect it and look forward to it
- Parents remember and plan around it
- You stay connected regularly, not just randomly
- You see them grow and change week by week
We helped grandparents in Costa Mesa set up “Grandma and Grandpa time” every Wednesday at 6pm. Kids know it’s coming. They save things to show them. Tell them about their week. It’s now been three years of weekly calls. Grandparents say they feel closer to these grandkids than their local grandkids they see once a month.
Routine beats random every time.
When the Parents Need to Be Involved
For calls with babies and toddlers (under age 4 or so), parents need to be there. Kids that young can’t manage technology or stay focused alone.
That’s fine. Parent holds device, keeps kid in frame, helps with activities. You interact with grandkid while parent facilitates.
For older kids (5+), they might be able to handle some calls independently. Depends on kid and how comfortable everyone is.
Always coordinate with parents. They know what works for their kids and their schedule.
Video Chat Etiquette for Grandparents
Do:
- Ask before calling (text first: “Can we FaceTime at 4?”)
- Keep calls age-appropriate length
- Let kids lead conversation
- Be positive and engaged
- End on high note
Don’t:
- Call without warning and expect them to answer
- Criticize parenting decisions on camera
- Keep calling after call clearly needs to end
- Make kids feel bad for not being interested
- Forget to say you love them before ending
We’ll Get You Video Chatting with Grandkids This Week
If you want to see your grandkids’ faces regularly but technology is standing in the way, that’s exactly what we help with.
What we’ll do:
- Come to your home (or meet online via Google Meet)
- Set up FaceTime, Zoom, or whatever app your family wants
- Save grandkids’ contact info properly
- Practice with you until comfortable
- Help with lighting, camera angle, sound
- Troubleshoot any issues
- Coordinate with your kids if needed
- Make sure everyone’s on same page
- Create regular schedule that works for everyone
- Can even do practice call before first real call with grandkids
- So you know exactly what to expect
Cities we serve:
- Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point
- Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita
- Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa
- San Clemente, Tustin, Foothill Ranch
- And everywhere else in Orange County
Don’t miss another day of your grandkids growing up. Reach out to Teach Me Tech OC, and let’s get you video chatting with those precious faces as often as you want