Birthday wishes for a grandson or granddaughter

For a baby or toddler

A parent will read it out loud. Short, warm sentences with the name and something you've done together.

• Happy birthday, little Mia. Nana and Grandad love you to the moon and back.

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• You're two today, Ben. The paddling pool is waiting in our garden.

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• Happy birthday, our darling. We smile every time you walk through our door.

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• A whole year older and just as lovely. Grandad has hidden something for you, so go and look.

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• Happy birthday, Emil. When you're with us, Nana stops looking at the clock.

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• Today it's all about you, little Freya. We'll hug you tight and make cake later.

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For a child at primary school

Children of this age like things they can picture, and grandparents who join in.

• Happy fourth birthday, Lottie. Grandad's practising how to build a den that doesn't fall down.

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• You're five today. That's a whole hand of years! We can't wait to hear what you'll teach us next visit.

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• Happy birthday, Jonas. Nana thinks pancakes with faces would be just right for a birthday breakfast.

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• Seven years old and already reading better than Grandad. Happy birthday, clever girl.

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• Happy birthday, Theo. Your goal in the garden last week was the best one Grandpa has ever seen.

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• You're eight today, and you've taught us how to play Minecraft. Happy birthday from the two slowest players in the family.

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• Ten today! Double figures, Isla. We're so proud of the person you're growing into.

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For a teenager

Keep it short, warm and a little funny. Teenagers read the card, and they remember the one that doesn't talk down.

• Happy thirteenth birthday, Sam. Welcome to the teenage years. We're here for all of them.

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• Fifteen today. We remember when you were this high. We're glad you're not any more.

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• Happy birthday, Hannah. We're proud of how you stand up for what matters. Grandpa says so too.

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• Happy sixteenth. We hope the year ahead brings good friends, great music and clear skies. Love, Nana and Grandad

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• Happy birthday, Dylan. You can ignore the advice. We'll be here when you want it, and we won't say I told you so.

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• Another year, another inch. Happy birthday, from the two people who think you're perfect just as you are.

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• Seventeen! Whatever you decide to do next, we'll be cheering. Happy birthday, Ellie.

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For a granddaughter

Specific beats general: one thing she does, one thing she is.

• Happy birthday to our wonderful granddaughter. You make our lives brighter every single day.

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• Dear Amelia, you have your Nana's stubborn streak and your Grandad's laugh. We think that's the best of both.

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• Happy birthday to the girl who always asks the best questions. Keep asking.

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• To our granddaughter: we're so proud of the kind, brave young woman you're becoming.

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• Happy birthday, Grace. Whatever you dream of, we'll be your biggest fans.

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• Happy birthday to our favourite reason to visit. Come soon, and bring the dog.

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For a grandson

Pick one thing he's into right now: football, dinosaurs, the guitar, fishing.

• Happy birthday to our grandson, the best goalkeeper in the family and the best hugger too.

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• Dear Oliver, you have your Grandad's grin and your Nana's patience. Happy birthday, with love.

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• Happy birthday, Jamie. We're so proud of you, in goals and out of them.

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• To our grandson: may this year bring new adventures and a few more goals.

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• Happy birthday, Finn. Grandad says the fish were biting, and he saved the best spot for you.

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• Happy birthday to our favourite young man. You make a quiet house loud and happy.

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From grandparents who live far away

For a card posted overseas, or a message that comes with a video call.

• Happy birthday from far away, Lily. We wish we could blow out the candles with you, so we're sending a kiss over the sea.

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• Dear Ethan, we can't be there, but we're singing to you right now. Happy birthday from Nana and Grandad.

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• Happy birthday, Zoe. The miles are long, and our love is longer. We'll see you soon.

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• To our grandson on the other side of the world: it's already tomorrow where you are. Happy birthday, with a big hug.

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• Happy birthday, Josh. We've saved a slice of your cake in our hearts. Call us as soon as you can.

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• Happy birthday, our darling. We've counted the days until the summer, when we can hug you again.

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To write in a book

A book as a birthday present lasts longer than a card. Add the date, the child's age and your name.

• For Mia, on your birthday. Nana and Grandad chose this one, because it has a hero who reminds us of you.

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• Happy birthday, Ben. Read this at bedtime, and think of us reading it with you.

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• To our grandson, on his seventh birthday. One day you'll read this one all by yourself.

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• For our granddaughter, who asks the best questions. Here is a story with some answers, and more questions.

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• Dear Theo, a story for a boy who loves goals, and the grandparents who love him.

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• For you, Isla, ten today. Keep this one on the shelf, and read it again when you're twenty.

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• Happy birthday from Nana and Grandad. We wrote our names in the front, so you'll know it was from us.

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Write your own message in four steps

1. 1

   Write to the child, by name

   “Happy seventh birthday, Theo!” is already more personal than any printed verse. Children notice their own age and name on a card.

2. 2

   Mention something you've done together

   The walk to the pond, the pancakes, the card game you always lose. One shared memory shows the card is from you.

3. 3

   Match the length to the age

   For a toddler, a line a parent can read out loud. For a teenager, a few kind, short sentences. For a school-age child, a line they can read themselves.

4. 4

   Say what you'll do next

   “See you at half term” or “we'll bake on Sunday” gives a card something to look forward to.

Slips to avoid

• Advice in the card

  A card is a poor place for life lessons. Children skim past them, and teenagers remember them for the wrong reasons.

• Comparing with the other grandchildren

  “Almost as tall as your cousin!” turns a birthday card into a contest. Write only about this child.

• Money with no personal word

  If money goes in the card, say something of your own too. The words are the part the child will keep.

Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a birthday card for a grandson or granddaughter?

Their name and age, one thing you love about them or one memory you share, and a wish for the year ahead. Short and warm works best.

What do grandparents write in a card to a teenager?

Something brief and sincere, with a hint of humour. Say you're proud of one specific thing, and leave out advice.

What do you write if you live far away?

Say that you wish you could be there, mention a call or visit you've planned, and add one small detail from the last time you met.

What goes in an inscription in a birthday book from grandparents?

The date, the child's age, both your names and one sentence for later. They may read it again in ten years.