Follow the Yellow Brick Road Game

Purpose of the Activity

This game is designed to provide a fun and stimulating social experience for residents. The primary goals are:
- To encourage friendly social interaction and lighthearted competition.
- To stimulate cognitive functions such as listening, visual recognition, and short-term memory.
- To practice fine motor skills through the use of daubers.
- To spark positive reminiscence by using a beloved and nostalgic theme.
- To create an atmosphere of excitement and shared enjoyment.

Materials Needed

- Game Boards: You will need 250 game boards total (10 boards per person for 25 participants). Each board should be a 3x3 grid containing 9 different words or images related to The Wizard of Oz. To ensure a single winner, the combination of items on each board should be unique.
- Calling Cards: A master set of cards, with each card featuring one of the Wizard of Oz items that appear on the game boards (e.g., Dorothy, Toto, Ruby Slippers, Emerald City).
- Container: A bag, bowl, or witch's hat to draw the calling cards from.
- Daubers: One bingo-style dauber for each participant. Using different colors for each game is optional but can add to the fun.
- Prizes: Ten $1.00 bills, each placed in a small yellow envelope to represent a "gold brick" from the road.
- Optional: A playlist of music from The Wizard of Oz, themed decorations (yellow tablecloths, rainbow streamers), and themed snacks like "Lollipop Guild" lollipops or green "Emerald City" punch.

Estimated Duration

- Total Activity Time: 1 hour
- Per Game: Approximately 5-6 minutes (includes playing, verifying the winner, awarding the prize, and setting up for the next round).

Ideal Group Size

- Participants: 20 to 25 residents.