Senior Activity Ideas
So here are some projects for individuals wanting something to do on their own or with friends. And try sharing some of these senior activity ideas with a grandchild – kids love to do projects with their loved ones. Are you an activities director? Check out the ideas below. They vary from crafts to outdoor elderly activities, and can be participated in by many different skill levels. Here goes…
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More arts and craft templates -- When you're working on projects sometimes it's nice to have a quick template or pattern (maybe you feel you're not very good a drawing). These
Bread Making -- Other senior activity ideas involve baking -- like homemade bread. The really easy way. Automatic break makers process everything just like Grandma -- they mix, knead and bake. Except you can walk away from it and come back later. They are pre-programmable, and many have automatic shut-off safety features. Models cost between $40 and $200. Time can range from 1.5 to 4 hours, so you can do another project while it's bakin'! Great aroma, with many ways to flavor and enhance the bread. Plus, you can use whole grains to get that fiber and nutrition everyone needs. Homemade saves money too. And did I say aroma?
Spa Afternoon -- A Spa Afternoon for yourself or a group is always popular. Begin with relaxing music. A real plus is stringing small twinkling lights. And a little aromatherapy. Lavender helps calm and relax. Other favorites are rose, lemon and vanilla. Light some scented candles. Give an arm and hand massage with scented lotion. A scalp massage is also wonderful. How about a foot soak in warm, scented water, followed by a foot massage. And then a mini pedicure, complete with toenail polish for the ladies. (And yes, men enjoy Spa Afternoons too!).
Wine and Chocolate Party -- Parties are always really fun senior activity ideas. And for this one, you can create your own chocolate concoctions in advance, and share them at the party pot-luck style. Popular items are chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mousse, decadent brownies, fudge (including white chocolate), and chocolate-cherry cake. Have everyone bring a favorite recipe and swap! Offer at least 5 or 6 chocolate deserts, and a couple white and red wines. Get out the best tablecloths and fancy napkins, and the best wine glasses, dishes and platters. Candles always add ambiance. You may find that a local liquor store or winery is willing to come out and present their varieties. This was one of the most popular and well-attended events at a local senior complex.
Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries -- This is one of the favorite activities at a local senior campus. They can be prepared for the wine and chocolate party mentioned above, for other get-togethers, or to give as gifts (people love these!). We have, in fact, a special page just on how to make these, and the projects can be adjusted to ability levels. Plus, we've added in some really fun ways to decorate them (think in terms of a variety of holidays and seasons as well). See our special page on how to 
Apple Candle Craft -- Apples are around all year round. Besides making very yummy snacks and treats, you can also make some really fun and easy apple craft ideas. This one is a candle. Stretch your imagination for variations on this apple candle activity, and how it could also be used in conjunction with special (perhaps heirloom) mugs, glasses, candle holders, tea cups or tea pots, to create a keepsake gift for that certain someone. Make them for centerpieces and parties too. Or just for your own ambiance. Click at this link to get details and project ideas: 
Fiesta Party! -- Also check our
The leader then begins to tell a story such as, "One dark, stormy night when the waves were lashing against the rocky shore, a mysterious ship..." The next person takes their word and continues the story with it. After about 2 or 3 sentences, they stop and the next person continues. The story is done when all the words are used up. Try recording it, then play it back later when everyone is having a snack. Loads of fun and laughter!
Rug hooking -- This is one of my favorite senior activity ideas, because it can have special meaning. My children’s great-grandfather was in his 90s and living in cold northern Iowa when he discovered rug hooking. During the long winters he loved to get a kit from a craft story and create a keepsake rug wall hanging for each great-grandchild. He passed on more than 15 years ago, and they will always have that memento. They were bright, colorful and fun for him to do too, giving his hands good exercise which helped his arthritis, a common elderly issue. He chose a theme for each great-grandchild that was special to their interests, like pets, boating, and nature. This is a great senior citizen activity with a gift that can be handed down for generations.
Homemade marzipan creations -- Here's one of the fun and yummy senior activity ideas. Marzipan is a sweet, edible play dough-like substance often used to build little figures and flowers on gingerbread houses and cakes. It’s molded much like play dough and is great fun to use and easy to make. Depending on the skill level, marzipan concoctions can be quite ornate. Use them for parties and gifts. You can even make a marzipan box and lid with a marzipan flower or bird on top. And what do you put inside? More sweets, of course! Or if you create a really good piece, display it in a plastic display box that can be purchased at a craft store. Keep it in your kitchen or hutch.
Recording memoirs -- Another of the meaningful senior activity ideas. When my father was in his 90s we bought him a small digital tape recorder to tape his memoirs for us. Even though he was partially blind, it was very easy to use. He could pause at any time to re-group his thoughts. He started at the earliest age he could remember, and took it one or two years at a time, mentioning as much colorful detail as he could remember. We then downloaded the material into the computer. Each segment is a “file” that can be moved around on the computer screen if you want to insert that segment into a different chronological order. Later, we thought of all sorts of things to ask him about, and he continued to tape. These segments were out of chronological order, of course. But it was very easy to move them around on the computer screen to get them in the correct order with the previous files. After being organized on the computer, the project was transferred onto a CD that could be played in a standard CD player. Everyone in the family now has this journey down memory lane right from our father. This is one of our favorite senior activity ideas. 
Crafts and Keepsakes -- Do you have an heirloom or keepsake you plan to give away? Perhaps a teacup, dish, plate or picture frame? Make a fun craft to go with it, to make it doubly special. Chocolate crafts and crafts with candies are always popular. One idea is our Mouse In A Teacup. Very easy to make, and the mouse doubles as an ornament too. This is one of many ideas in our page on
Glamour manicure party -- Senior activity ideas can include a bit of glam! Get together a group for a little glamour and pampering. If someone has difficulty doing their own nails, an assistant can be present to help. Have everyone bring their favorite nail polish color to share. Begin by filing and shaping the nails, applying a cuticle softening for 5 minutes, and pushing back the cuticles with an orange stick. Care should be taken if clipping excess cuticle or hangnails. Then apply 2 coats of polish. When the second coat is still wet, try impressing a very small rhinestone on a chosen nail, such as the pointer fingers. It can then be covered with two coats of top coat. The most fun is having someone who is very good at painting. With a very small brush and acrylic paints, tiny images such as hearts, leaves, curly-cues, or flowers can be painted on given nails, after the second coat is dry. When the acrylic paint is dry, two coats of top coat are applied. 
Armchair Theater -- This takes the book club senior activity ideas one step further, into drama. Obtain a script for a favorite play with enough characters for the members of the group. Some members may play two characters. Characters can be drawn from a hat or volunteered. Members take the play script home to become familiar with it, and get into the feel of their character. At the meeting, the play is “performed” by simply reading aloud in the circle with great expression as if acting on stage. There is no audience unless desired. Members can also bring small props or costume pieces to enhance the experience. It adds an element of surprise and fun, as does the way members interpret and act out their characters. This has been a very satisfying experience for those who have previously performed and no long can do so on stage. And for those who never have, but always wanted to give it a try. For an added twist – try a musical with members (or the group) performing the songs to CD music. Senor activity ideas involving music are a big hit.
Decorate a birdhouse -- Small birdhouses from unfinished wood make wonderful senior activity ideas. They can be obtained from any craft store. Decorate them for a charming addition for your home or patio. This is a great project when they go on sale. They can, of course, be painted with acrylic paint and then topped with a couple coats of a water-base clear varnish. But take it a step further. Instead of paint, cut and apply colorful wrapping paper or fabric. First brush the birdhouse surface with decoupage or the varnish, adhere paper/fabric, then brush with two top coats of decoupage medium or varnish. At the edges of the birdhouse you can apply fabric puffy paint, ribbon, or twigs cut to fit. Use puffy paint to edge the windows and door too. Using variety of colors with give is pizzazz. Glue faux moss onto the base and stud with small artificial flowerettes. The roof can also be covered with moss if desired. Tiny birds from the craft store can be glued on the roof or peeking out of the bird house. 
Candy birdhouse -- Or (more crafts with candies): why not make it into a candy birdhouse and cover the roof with colored candy wafers? And the sides with gingerbread or graham crackers; and the base with colored coconut and gumdrop trees. You can still use puffy paint as edging, or frosting from a tube. If the birdhouse has a chimney, attach a little fluff of colored cotton candy as smoke. Make candy birdhouses any time, not just during holidays!
Origami mobiles -- There are many origami books for beginners, and paper folding is a good way to exercise the hands. Origami projects are excellent senior activity ideas. Birds, swans, boats and frogs are popular items. Origami papers come in a variety of colors; some have printed designs. Make a set of 6 objects, birds for instance, in related colors. You can also decorate them with small objects such as rhinestones for eyes or craft feather tails. Use a thick needle and clear, nylon thread to poke a hole in the top of each object. Then tie it onto its hanger. They can be hung from natural branches, a piece of bamboo, or a brightly printed paper party plate with the print side facing down when you hang it up, so that is what you see. For the more ambitious, make double tiers. If you are an activities director and doing senior activity ideas with a group, hang all the mobiles up together in an area of one room, to create a visual extravaganza for everyone to enjoy.
Beaded picture frame -- Do you or family have any old beaded jewelry? Don’t get rid of them -- they're great for all kinds of senior activity ideas! Sometimes you can find beads and jewelry in bulk at thrift stores, and definitely at garage sales. Un-string those beads and sort them by color into small containers. (This is also a good group project, when everyone brings in beaded jewelry to share). Get a small photo frame; any size will do, but 5 x 7 is a good size. Then see our full directions at: 
