The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is often unbreakable, and second-grade students at Shull-David Elementary School in Lehighton had an opportunity to strengthen those ties Tuesday.

About 80 grandparents were invited to the school to share a special afternoon with their grandson or granddaughter to listen to a story, play bingo, take pictures and enjoy dessert.

The event was started this year by fourth-grade teacher Colleen Hoppes.

“Normally when we do something in the schools it’s for the parents to come in and be with the students,” Hoppes said. “I just thought it would be special to center an event around the grandparents. We’ve done other grade levels earlier this year and the reception has been awesome. Our principal, Mr. Sebelin, was very supportive of the outreach to the community. It’s one of the things we try to focus on as a school.”

The afternoon started with a reading of the book “Thunder Cake,” the tale of how a grandmother calms her granddaughter’s fear of thunderstorms by baking a cake with her, finishing just before the storm hits.

After the story, students were asked to hug their grandparents if they ever helped them get over a fear.

The book was followed by several rounds of bingo, which many grandparents take very seriously.

“That’s probably one of the more popular parts of the day,” Hoppes said. “When we say it’s time to end the games, we usually get a lot of disappointed faces.”

Bingo is followed by a craft or activity and a photo booth that usually follows the theme of the book.

While second grade read “Thunder Cake,” past book selections included “How to Babysit a Grandma/Grandpa” for kindergarten, “The Mitten” for third grade, and “Song and Dance Man” for fourth grade.

First grade will have its grandparents day in two weeks.

Hoppes said she hopes the event serves as a way to help grandparents and grandchildren create memories and stories to be shared for a long time to come.

“I think it’s important for them to share this time together,” she said. “A lot of times the grandparents have played a huge part in helping to raise the children. This is our way of saying thank you and giving them another moment together.”