Activities for Seniors › Activities for Nursing Home Residents
Activities for Nursing Home Residents
Residents in skilled nursing often need activities that can be enjoyed in small groups, one on one, or from bed or a wheelchair. These ideas are adaptable to a wide range of abilities and energy levels.
42 activities, most loved first.
Vocational
Turtle Shell Weaving Craft
Get the creativity and participation flowing with a turtle shell weaving activity tailored for senior living…
Physical
"July Journey to the Beach"
Set up a simple "path" using colorful pool noodles or soft fabric strips on the floor. Residents are…
Vocational
"July Sky Stories: Constellations & Celebrations"
Delve into the wonders of the night sky, specifically focusing on constellations visible in July or…
Social
"Picture It: Sicily... Or Miami!" Storytelling & Sketching
Residents are encouraged to "picture it" and either write a short, humorous story inspired by a Golden…
Vocational
Cork Boats Craft
Build cork sailboats and float them in water! These cork sailboats are enjoyable to assemble and launch on…
Vocational
Floating Flower Bowls
Residents will design and assemble small floating flower arrangements using shallow bowls or saucers filled…
Intellectual
Floating Paperclip Fun
Residents will carefully place paperclips on the surface of water, observing how some float while others…
Social
Game Show Week
The Gong Show, Live! Recreate the wacky attempts to make others laugh and perform. Can be modified for room…
Social
Karaoke for senior living communities from Coro Health
The Coro Health "Sing-Along" product offers over 1000 custom-curated karaoke songs, specifically designed for…
Social
Patriotic Handprint Fireworks
Using washable red, white, and blue paint, seniors and children create "firework" designs on large sheets of…
Social
Say Cheese: A National Cheese Day Tasting
A fun, lighthearted senior living activity celebrating National Cheese Day (June 4). The activity combines a…
Intellectual
Summer Travel Stories
Invite residents to share photos and tales from past summer vacations.
Intellectual
The Declaration and a Dream
Travel back to 1776 to explore the birth of our nation. We'll read powerful excerpts from the Declaration of…
Intellectual
The Making of a Captain
Travel back in time to explore Derek Jeter's childhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his meteoric rise to…
Social
"Build Your Own" Hot Chocolate Bar
Residents will enjoy customizing their perfect warm chocolate beverage. Offer a base of pre-made hot…
Intellectual
"From Bean to Bar: A Chocolate Journey"
Residents will embark on an educational journey exploring the history and production of chocolate, from its…
Physical
"Home Run" Balloon Batting
Residents sit in a circle or at tables and use pool noodles (or rolled-up newspapers) as bats to gently hit…
Vocational
"Office Pro" Organizer Box
This self-directed task box allows residents to sort office supplies such as large paper clips, colorful…
Intellectual
1950s Diner Day
Reminiscence afternoon with malts, jukeboxes, and diner footage.
Emotional
A Celebration of Dolly Parton
A warm, celebratory reminiscence activity honoring the life and music of Dolly Parton for senior living…
Intellectual
Armchair Travel - Paris
Explore the romantic City of Light from your armchair! This multi-sensory journey to Paris features sights…
Social
Coffee Time
A casual meet up with residents to talk about current events over coffee (and sometimes dognuts)
Intellectual
Dancing Pepper & Soap Surprise
Residents will observe and then replicate a simple experiment using a shallow dish of water, a sprinkle of…
Social
Doggy Story Time & Tail Wags
Children will read dog-themed books aloud to residents, incorporating interactive elements like puppets or…
Social
Father's Day BBQ
This activity is designed to honor and celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures within the…
Physical
Journey Walk
Each month, based on the theme, there will be 10 different posters around the community with theme based…
Social
Legendary Plays of Mr. November
Relive the most thrilling moments of Derek Jeter's career through a curated highlight reel of his legendary…
Social
Made in Minnesota: Boom Chicka Pop
A Minnesota made product and/or brand. Include history, how it came about, facts, flavors, and any youtube…
Emotional
Memorial Day Service
A complete facilitator guide for an Activity Director leading a Memorial Day service in a senior living…
Intellectual
Pasta From Scratch: A Culinary Adventure
Residents will learn to make fresh pasta from scratch, guided by staff. This hands-on activity encourages…
Social
Peachy Keen Ice Cream Social & Story Swap
Residents gather outdoors to enjoy freshly scooped peach ice cream while sharing personal stories related to…
Intellectual
Plant seeds and watch them grow
Planting seeds invites quiet reflection and gentle anticipation. As shoots emerge and grow, they offer a…
Social
Roll for a Rhyme
Residents take turns rolling a die and moving their marker on a game board that features spaces with simple…
Social
Spooky Story Swap & Treats
Residents share their favorite (or scariest!) Halloween-themed stories, memories, or even spooky jokes. Staff…
Intellectual
Spotting Scams On Your Screen
Take control of your inbox and browser by learning to outsmart online tricksters. Using a large screen for…
Social
Storytelling Under the Sun
Residents gather comfortably outdoors, sharing personal stories or favorite tales while enjoying the fresh…
Emotional
Summer Scrapbooking
Host a creative session for residents to create memory pages of their summer adventures or past vacations…
Intellectual
Tech Search
A crossword puzzle using words about technology
Spiritual
The Captain's Heart: A Legacy
Discover the inspirational story of Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation and his commitment to helping young…
Intellectual
The Making of a Captain
Travel back in time to explore Derek Jeter's childhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his meteoric rise to…
Intellectual
The Science of the Cookie: Why Does it Crumble?
Delve into the fascinating chemistry behind baking, specifically focusing on how ingredients in a peanut…
Emotional
Tip Your Cap: A Pinstripe Farewell
Celebrate the conclusion of a legendary career by watching highlights from Derek Jeter's emotional final…
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