My mother struggles with health problems that limit her activities as well. She felt terrible about not providing "entertainment" for my son or making each minute he spent with her some sort of event or filled with activity. He picked up on that anxiety and began to feel the same way when he was with my parents. Until I figured out what was going on, it was a struggle for everyone. It turns out he didn't feel the need for something new, or a particularly special activity each time he saw them. What he was happiest doing, weekend after weekend, was sitting with them, eating popcorn and watching tv (Aaargh!) Whatever was on was fine. He even watched episode after episode of Antiques Roadshow, This Old House and Coronation Street. Imagine a 13 yr old boy enthusiastically discussing the convoluted relationships on The Street on the phone with his grandma to catch up on the episodes he missed during the week so he wouldn't have any questions while they watched the latest episode together on the weekend. He now runs errands for them occasionally as well, as he's now in his later teens.
I'm wondering if a whole weekend at a time might be a bit of trouble while your daughter is young and not as independent. If you are needing the time she spends there for respite for yourself (I know how important that is!), perhaps rearranging it from a whole weekend once a month to a single night's sleepover every other weekend. That way your mum isn't having to fill a whole weekend with activity, but still has time to look forward to with your daughter (and your daughter with her grandma).
With regards to low demand activities- scrapbooking is wonderful for little fingers and memories. Puzzles, beading, spending time together on websites such as Pinterest, colouring books... Actually, if you haven't already gone there, Pinterest is a fantastic resource for activities. If you look up "children's crafts" a ton of stuff for all levels comes up.
Fiona
