Technology concerns

Definitely go for: "Grandma's house, so it's Grandma's rules". (Or "Grandma Rules!!") End of story!

I also have this problem.
Devices are not allowed at dining table ( honestly they really thought it was OK- they don't do it at home!) They are not allowed to disappear to their rooms with their gadgets so I can monitor who they are speaking to & they are not allowed up take them up to bed with them after I found my GD still playing on hers 2 hours after she went up.
Having said though I have noticed that they are using them less now & even came without them last time they stayed here. I'm hoping it was just another phase.

In summer there are other options. Some kind of sport/dancing/music class is great for structuring the day and gets all those endorphons dancing
. If you have a little money, think of bowling or crazy golf if you have anything local.which are lots of fun.
At home have both children do a little cooking or baking.
Wet weather, then the cinema. Most have special childrens shows now. Do you play cards? A hand of cards with grandma could be very exciting.

Let there be an assumption that there will always be activity at Grandma's. Then a blast on the Ipod is down time.

We are in the "our house, our rules camp" Discuss the matter by all means with their parents, but do make it clear to your grandchildren that you like having them and want to spend time doing something with them and that watching them playing on their ipads is not your idea of fun.

We have had success doing things the children's parents don't have time or the know-how to do: engraving on glass, cooking, baking etc.

As a child I always had my nose in a book (only child brought up in a village with only a few friends my age) however when I was old enough we used to go for long walks & explored the countryside, you wouldn't let GC do that now.

I also learnt to play cards, I still play Patience but on my laptop these days

My DGS is allowed limited time on his tablet at home & his Playstation. I don't look after him at my house so the problem of limiting time on his tablet doesn't arise. He is also an active child, loves playing football & swimming.

I think you are all forgetting the hours we played with colouring books, drawing, dot to dot, dressing paper dolls head in a book I was an only child and lived on a main road where there were no kids to play out with, this is only a variety Just because it’s a different form of all those things doesn’t make it wrong only different they can play word games, interior design. dressing dolls, maths , even drawing because it’s not in the same formas we had doesn’t make it bad
I do however think they are given to kids of to young an age not necessarily because they are bad for them but I don’t think a three year old should have such expensive breakable equipment

BlueBelle The games you mention were not antisocial, if your mother asked you a question you could stop and answer, even show her what you were doing. Whereas for older children at least, the games on the computer seem to require their full attention.

We must be lucky here, ipads etc haven't arisen when our 7yr old GD comes. She plays with Lego, building blocks, DH plays board games with her, we often have a walk to the local charity shop, sometimes she paints. She has never asked to watch TV - ours is an old set, she probably thinks it doesn't work! If the 17 yr old comes she usually has school work to do and intersperses it with her mobile. She has a TV in her bedroom which I disapprove of. At home DD and SIL turn off the WiFi at bedtime.

Our GC come to stay (with their parents) in the school holidays. After one particular visit when they spent all day every day on phones and tablets, we set a 'technology rule' - to be used for no more than 2 hours a day either in short sessions or all in one go. It's sometimes difficult to enforce when their parents persist in carrying their phones everywhere with them, but our GC now play in the garden or on the beach, do crafting activities with me or play board games etc. They are more active and sociable, they laugh more and they get along together better. They are also using their technology less at home so their parents have set the same rules there.

I have two like this. I just asked my son if they have a limit - they don't. I'm not in the business of " changing the world" so I let them have the iPads for as long as they like. I do suggest other things, but if they decline I'm fine with it. I'd suggest that you do what their parents do.

If you’re having them for a full day then you definitely need to set limits on usage time. And get them out of the house and seeing and doing other things.

If it’s just after school then I’d let them use tablets to unwind.