Easy Food Activities
And we have a really nice selection of activities with food and easy recipes ideal for the elderly. They range from chocolate, to whimsical salads, to candy, to special cookies, to gourds, to apples. Any of these projects are ideal for parties, get-togethers, gifts, even centerpieces. They’re also great to do with kids, of course! For those who experience elderly issues that may cause activity limitations, our food activities are easy to modify or to use extra help with. Take a look at some of our ideas below. We also have more ideas on the various pages with the links. 
Chocolate Covered "Worms" – Warm up a container of dipping chocolate in the microwave according to instructions. Make sure you heat it in 15 second spurts and stir, to prevent burning. Then put in a mixing bowl to allow more room. Stir in about 2 cups of chow mein noodles. Mix until coated. Cover a platter with wax paper. Adding a little coconut is also a good variation too. Spoon lumps of the mixture onto the platter. Refrigerate for at least a half an hour, until firm. This is a no-bake recipe and very easy. Take the out of the fridge about 15 minutes before eating, or they may be hard to bite.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel People -- We have a great page on dipping chocolate, including with pretzels. You can easily dip then decorate pretzels and other food in a simple way. Or see how we turn them into Pretzel People using a variety of inexpensive candies and other items. There are several samples ranging from very easy to fancier. These are really fun elderly activities. Of course, dipping chocolate can also be used with any fruit especially apricots, smaller looped pretzels, nuts, pound cake pieces, and cookies. You can use milk chocolate or dark, even white chocolate. These food activities are perfect for party snacks, prizes, desserts, or adding to gifts. We have many ideas on our page. For gifts, you can put a little tag around the neck (make home-made gift tags as a project) that says “From ____” and write in the person’s name. It's best to keep dipped chocolate projects refrigerated for as long as possible, until just before using. They're hard to resist, so make sure you have a few to eat on the spot!
Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries -- This is one of our most food activities and can be adjusted for many ability levels. So we've created a special page just to find out exactly how to make chocolate covered strawberries, and complete with some really fun ways to decorate the strawberries after they've been dipped. Participants can create these for themselves, for a community get-together, or to give away as special gifts. They're always a favorite. This is also a really good project to do with kids -- it's easy and they have great imaginations too. See our special page to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries.Hershey Kisses Mice -- Mouse chocolate crafts made with Hershey Kisses are really popular and easy. Besides making cute ornaments, we have other ideas for gifts and even a center piece if you want to get fancy. These mouse food activities involve working with small parts, so extra help may need to be given in some cases. To find out how to make these chocolate crafts for the elderly, go to Hershey Kiss Mouse Chocolate Crafts. 
Ladybug Salad -- (And other whimsical characters at Creative and Simple Fruit Salad Characters). Check out this special food activities page with several projects for a fun simple fruit salad, complete with decorating tips, garnishments, and even a fabulous Carrot Slaw to use on the side, and fruit salad dressing too. Stretch your imagination, and Voila! Amusing cartoon salads that are also very healthy. We have several whimsical fruit salads and how to make them. Think of how you can make others too. These are lots of fun for just a special treat, or to get ready for parties and luncheons. Even to do with kids -- they love them!
Gourd Craft Ideas - Gifts, Ghouls & Grannies -- These are really easy food activities to make with those funny lumpy, bumpy gourds (squash). And when you're done displaying them, you can cook and eat them if you'd like! We show how to make several whimsical characters and creatures from inexpensive craft materials and items, many of which you may have around. Stretch your imagination and see what else you can do. Although gourds and squash are great for fall, you can find them any time of the year and make characters for just about any holiday, season, or party. They're also fun to make with kids. And they make great give-aways too! See Gourd Craft Ideas - Gifts, Ghouls & Grannies. Candy Wreaths-- Wreaths can be not only fun, but edible food activities -- if you make them with frosting “glue”! You will need assorted candies from a dollar store, or from the bulk section of the grocery store; styrofoam rings of the desired size (you can also cut a ring from heavy cardboard); frosting in a tub; or else a glue gun or strong craft glue; any decorative items for the wreath. Spray paint the ring, if you’d like. We have two versions here – edible or non-edible. 
Edible – Try using sugar-free candies; many kinds are now available. Use frosting, like “glue,” to attach candies in a variety of colors and sizes to the wreath shape. I get frosting in a tube. The kind of candies you use can suit your party or holiday (Valentine, Halloween, Christmas, etc). Edible wreaths are more temporary, to be used for a centerpiece, for instance. When the candies and frosting glue have set, put an object in the center hole to complete the centerpiece, such as a holiday decoration, statue, vase of flowers or greens (you can also make flowers out of candies on skewers); or place a candle in the middle.Non-edible – These candies will be mounted on the wreath shape with a glue gun or other strong craft glue (use plenty – it dries clear). You can pile or overlap the candies in interesting patterns. Decorations such as bows or holiday themed items can be added. When finished, give it a couple coatings of spray varnish such as Krylon, to help preserve it and add shine. These wreaths will be strong enough to hang on a wall, or also use in a centerpiece. 
Apple Wreaths -- See our easy-to-make spicy aroma apple wreaths. If you bake and dry the apples yourself, these food activities smell heavenly. Add other items like pine cones, ginger chunks, cranberries, or candy. The wreaths can be used alone or with a centerpiece or candle. Ideas for many season. See our page on Really Easy Apple Craft Ideas. (This page also show an easy way how to “paint” on red apples – very fun.)
Strawberry Bouquet -- We use strawberries in a lot of our food activities. These strawberry desserts have a choice of toppings and are fabulous bouquet gifts you can make. Do it the easy way or make chocolate covered strawberries. Put them in a vase full of candy, nuts or other snacks; or make a parfait bouquet (which you eat right away). See our page for explanations.Also be sure to read: Senior Activity Ideas -- Lots of very cool senior activity ideas, some great to do alone, or some in groups. These are for seniors who have perhaps a higher ability and/or independence level; although many can be done by elderly who have restrictions if they have a little extra help. So make sure to look at these ideas as well. Elderly Games For Fun and Function -- Elderly games are excellent for exercising those “mental muscles” and stimulating memory, focus, cognitive skills, plus relieving stress and worry. See our fun ideas here! Outdoor Elderly Activities -- Some of the outdoor activities can be done throughout the year during many seasons. And consider how they can also be moved indoors as well - they will give more options for fun things to do. (Likewise, many of our indoor activities can be moved outside!) Elderly Fiesta Activities -- See our fiesta party ideas and easy recipes, including for some delicious Sangrias. Fun projects for party decorations and centerpieces too. 
Also check out Easy Crafts and Gifts You Can Make, and find out about lots more easy yet quality craft ideas for many seasons, reasons, ages and ability levels; plus free templates you can use for a variety of projects.
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