Crafts&Baking

Holiday Crafts: As it gets closer to different holidays, bring the holiday spirit to the community by creating some fun holiday-themed crafts, such as Easter egg dying, pumpkin decorating, or making Christmas ornaments. Make sure to complete the fun with holiday music and treats!





Origami: Buy some origami paper and walk a group of elders through how to fold the paper into fun shapes. There's some really simple designs that you can play with for this activity.


Chocolate Chip Cookies: There aren't very many people who don't like chocolate chip cookies, and they're even more rewarding if you bake them yourself. At nursing homes, staff serve the food for the residents everyday, but, in their time, many of them actually really enjoyed baking. Take a trip to the kitchen for a baking activity! Here's a recipe to get you started:


2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended.
3. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough a tablespoon at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
5. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for minutes before transferring to wire racks.
6. Get a glass of milk, and enjoy! :)

For The Book Worms

Story Telling: Many elders have lost their vision to the point where it is difficult for them to read books still. For those that miss their love of reading, you can help by reading a book to them, or by even having the author of a book come read their book to them. Provide some healthy snacks and drinks, and this could be a very entertaining activity.
*Note: If many people begin to fall asleep during the reading, then stop the book, and tell them that you will continue reading next week!

Book Club: Start a book club at your nursing home! Choose a book to read every month, and then at the end of every month, get together for a snack and to discuss the book. Intellectually stimulating and socially rewarding - it will be a hit!

Health&Wellness

Massages: Elders often experience some soreness and aching joints, so if you have access to some massage chairs or foot massagers, bring them in for everyone to enjoy. You can also hire a masseuse  to come and give some massages for a few hours. It will help everyone relax and feel great!

Manicures/Pedicures: All you need is a little nail polish or some nails sets and some willing volunteers, and you can set up a manicure and pedicure activity for a group of elders. Sit around and talk and create a relaxed environment as everyone sits back for some beautification!

Hair Styling: Elderly woman can often not do their hair how they used to, and so get some styling tools, like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons, and a few women, and get to styling! Everyone will have fun exploring some new hairstyles and looking good.

Fresh Fruit: Snacks are always a great part of activities, but you want everyone to feel good and healthy, so some good ideas for snacks would be a fruit bowl. If you want, you could even throw some yogurt or whip cream on top of that fruit for some extra flavor. Remind them that staying healthy is important!

Game Night

Card Games: There's many different card games that the elders can get involved in. Provide some snacks, cards, card tables, and chairs, and you've got the recipe for a great night of socializing and fun!

Bingo: At some point, elders can no longer be competitive in many things. However, bingo is something that they can still be competitive about. All you have to do is provide some cool prizes for the winners of the game and some bingo cards, and everyone will have a lot of fun!

Board Games: Board games are a great social activity, and can even be competitive. Bring some of your favorite board games and get some people together for a fun board game activity!

Get Out There!

Go to a park and feed the birds: From speaking to elders in nursing homes, I've learned that they love getting out and about in the fresh air. During good weather times, go to a local park with some stale bread or bird seed, and find a good place for your elders to feed the birds. It's a simple and inexpensive way for them to get out and have a lot of fun!

Scenic Drive: Choose a beautiful nature area that isn't too far from where you live. Drive around the area for a scenic drive, stop for a snack or a picnic, and then go back home. Elders stuck in nursing homes will love getting out in nature and getting some fresh air!

Go for a walk: Have a small group of volunteers, family, or employees take a group of elders out for a walk around the facility or the neighborhood. Even if they're just being pushed around in their wheelchairs, they'll enjoy getting outside and seeing what's going on in the neighborhood.