Feel stuck between two generations in your family? Are you in the sandwich generation? Here are tips to create sparkle between children and seniors. Family fun.

Sharing your home with an aging parent or loved one means good times one day and high frustration the next. Life is sweeter when special events replace tedious routine. How do you get there? These engaging activities may transform doldrums into sparkling good times.

Community’s Senior Enrichment Center

Cost: Free Membership

Your senior can explore interests, meeting other people in a cheerful setting. These centers, cropping up everywhere, specialize in activities like tai chi, crafts, and college courses. Some offer counseling and field trips. Check with the Chamber of Commerce. Ask at the hospital, or Google for Senior Enrichment, your city and state.

Senior Companion Programs

Cost: Nothing

Active seniors volunteer as companions for homebound elders--maybe grocery shopping or washing up dishes. Take someone for a gentle garden walk or simply be a friend. Foster Grandparents are mentors, tutors, and companions for at-risk children with special needs. Volunteers need moderate energy levels and good health. Check SeniorCorps. or call 800-424-8867.

Eldercare Resources

No Cost

Your elder may have to qualify financially. You might find benefits for your caregiver self, too. (Everyone needs time out – taking care of yourself is good). Some examples: Illinois gives grants for respite care, Florida counties offer funds for respite during family emergencies, some counties have day activity centers and transportation programs. Call city hall, county seat, and state office of senior services - or see your state’s Web site.

A Field-Trip Club with Other Caregivers

Cost Varies

With time and energy and a healthy, mobile elder parent, this is fabulous. Do a movie, the library, shopping, a day spa. One group of raucus ladies chose an evening at a club featuring exotic male dancers – use your imagination. Limit outings to about six hours with a stop for lunch, or an icecream cone on the way home. Look for interested participants at church, in your neighborhood or your Senior Center.

Intergenerational Party

Cost: Very Little

Combine children and elders with popcorn and board games for a barrel of fun. Keep it to once or twice a week, with a moderate time limit. Try Parcheesi, Scrabble, Yahtzee, videos or family photo albums. Crack open an old box of building blocks.

Adopt a Pet

10 - $100

Remember that pets mean a period of adjustment. If your family is ready for responsibility, studies show that pets improve family health and longevity. Cats are easier - dogs more likely to enjoy human interaction. Set boundaries and determine how to allocate chores. Grandpa might enjoy walking the pet and don’t be surprised if he volunteers for feeding duty. He took care of you, didn’t he? Make sure nobody gets saddled with all the chores. To find a pet, check the phone book under animal adoptions, shelters, pets.

Create an Oral History

About $30 for tape recorder/tapes

Pure genius -- an older child can handle the recorder with amazing results. Ask a few leading questions to get things moving. Let grandma or grandpa have the spotlight, but everyone can throw comments in. Tapes become heirlooms.

‘Net Surfing 101

No cost

Many elders take to this like a teen to MTV. Over 65 is the fastest growing segment of Internet users and women outnumber men. Encourage surfers to explore chat, email, and interesting Web sites. Try ElderCare, AgeSpan, Grandoodlez or Astronomy.com

Cultivate a Garden

Cost: $25 up

Bridge the generation gap. Purchase soil, pots, watering can and tools. Shop together for seeds. Plot your garden over a cup of tea.. Good things come from the earth and marvelous feelings from calm caring for plants in a sunny window. Mini-roses, herbs, or dandelions – it’s all good if it pleases the grower. Check nurseries and discount stores.

Nurture Parental Creativity

$5 and up

Procure art supplies – paints, brushes, easels. Embrace simplicity -- glue, scissors, and clay. Whether a solitary or group project, suspend all rules.