what is a really easy yet fun arts&crafts activity for the elderly?
please & thanks. it’s for a nursing home i volunteer at. painting/coloring is a backup plan, but it’s very messy and that’s not the best idea. and they can’t bring in pictures or anything.
it has to be arts&crafts, and very easy since their motor skills aren’t as good as they used to be. :[ help please <3
anything with construction paper in particular would be great <3
and they can’t sew or crochet either
Suggested Reading:
Aircraft Modelling (Modelling Masterclass)The aircraft modeling hobby has undergone dramatic changes in the last ten years. New manufacturing technologies and the rise of China have combined t... Read More >
Related Posts
Perhaps you could make a pop-up book with the construction paper and markers.
Gather lots of wine bottle corks to make hot pads, coasters, trivets, etc. start with one cork standing on end for the center and then glue (gorilla glue works good) each cork around that one and then do the third row etc. Save the ones with neat colors or scenes for the last row.
Collect old stuff–bottles, cans, old cigar boxes, lunch buckets, etc. Then dress them up for reusing as vases, storage containers, purses, etc. by gluing beads, sequins, ribbon, twine around or on the items. They can use these items for gifts or on their night stand, such as a decorated can for their eye glasses, pens, or ???
I use was a former Act. Director in a skilled nursing facility. These are a few ideas that they seemed to have enjoyed, yet easy too. As you already know, you’ll need to do as much prepping as possible (like creating a kit for each resident) so that you’re able to create a successful project. Your residents will feel a sense of accomplishment with a completed project.
RIBBON ROSES (cut 1 1/4 yards of 1.5 ” wide wired edge ribbon, variegated color ribbons is nice). With one side, secure the wire end (to prevent from slipping), then at the other end, gather the ribbon by pulling the wire (not too tight). With the gathered side as the base of the flower, wrap in a circullar motion to create a ribbon rose. You or an assistant will need to secure the base with needle and thread.
(Books or reference materials: go to Google or you tube “How to make a ribbon flower”; “The Artful Ribbon” by Candice Kling)
Create a scrapbook page. Prep a scrapbook page (several of the same) and have a photo of a resident (Check with the Act’s dept. sometimes they have several photos of their residents available). Each resident can basically press and stick onto the page with their photos.
Create pressed flowers using fresh pansies (or any flowers that don’t have a lot of petals), herbs or leaves; plain white tissue paper and a phone book (used for pressing flowers) – Create bookmarks or cards at a later time using the dried pressed flowers.
HTH! Good luck!
We work with several nursing home coordinators to help them find activities for their residents. One activity that is always a favorite is making your own puzzles. There are many ways to do this activity, and the finished puzzle is enjoyable to set and share with other residents.
Here is an article that shows you how: http://site.escapadedirect.com/blog2/2009/10/17/october-is-national-do-it-yourself-month-create-your-own-puzzles/
Puzzles don’t take up a lot of room to make, and are an excellent way for people to practice small motor skills, and puzzles are good for the brain!
I hope this idea helps!