This site needs a newer browser to work properly.

Give Google Chrome or Firefox a go. Both are free and work great.

Get Chrome Get Firefox

Start Creating

Join 15,000+ activity coordinators worldwide

Everything you need to delight your residents

Unlimited Activities
Create, edit, and save forever
Printable Calendars
Beautiful monthly programs
AI Content Generation
Generate games in seconds
Interactive Games
Play on screen or print
avatar
By Chant

What's In the Bag

What's In the Bag
15 291

This is an ideal reminiscing game for seniors that you can put together quickly and inexpensively.

Members-Only

What's In the Bag

Available with Full Membership. Unlock to access:

12 months of unlimited access - no recurring monthly fees
Thousands of ready-to-use activities - updated every week
Custom activity calendars and planning tools
Editable templates
Active professional member forum

Full Membership - $74.95 USD per year

No auto-renewals · 30-day money-back guarantee

Comments
15
Log In to comment
Hannah avatar

Excited to try this with our Alzheimer's patients!

Talita avatar

Love to hear how it goes Hannah!

Vivian avatar
Vivian Leisure & Lifestyle Coordinator

I have done this with items to smell , fresh lavender, a mixture of herbs, lemon rind, clove of garlic and an onion we had some great and weird answers which created lots of laughs.

Sherry avatar

That's a very good idea Vivian. Yes, this would be great for memory care residents.

Talita avatar

That's a great idea Vivian! Thanks for your feedback.

Judith avatar

I have a large box of assorted items such as watch, spoon, clothes peg, toffee hammer a real assortment of items.

I put an item in the bag and invite residents to put their hands in to try and identify what it

is.

I use a large cloth bag so there is plenty of room. No one says what it is until everyone has a turn. We then say together what it is and if it for example a spoon how many different types of spoon we can name. How many different types of hammer etc .

You can have items that are very easy or very hard so that everyone is catered for.

Played this game for an hour with 10 residents they liked thinking of different types of the item as much as guessing. I had to prompt those residents with mid-stage dementia each time not to tell the answer till all had a turn but every level enjoyed the game.

Talita avatar

Thanks Susan, this is such a great game isn't it!

Judith avatar

I tried this yesterday I had to modify slightly as had a very large diverse group so when resident pulled out a spoon we thought of how many types of spoon we could think of, alarm clock how many different types of clock. The only one no one guessed was the tin of shoe polish everyone thought it was a powder compact!

Talita avatar

Thanks for sharing Susan, lovely to hear everyone enjoyed. Great idea to extend the game by reminiscing about the objects too!

Judy Prince avatar

This is a great idea thanks for sharing

Diane avatar

Looking forward to trying this, sounds fun!

Susan avatar
Susan Freelance Activity Co-ordinator

This game has been a favourite of ours for many years. Items we put in our bag as well as those you have suggested are, a cuddly toy, nail brush, paint brush, comb, can opener, phone, tv remote control, wrist watch, plastic wine glass and a toilet roll.

Denise avatar

We had a wonderful time with this activity last week. I had 3 bags (pillow cases) with 20 identical items in them. Our clients all had a turn through-out the day during our other activities and recorded the items on their list and we 'revealed' the items during afternoon tea time. One client got all 20! A job worthy of a mini Mars Bar.

Some of the items were: Knife, fork, soup and sweet spoons. Hookey ring, dvd, dice, calico teddy, ball of wool.

Chant avatar

A new activity has been posted by a Golden Carers member: What`s In the Bag

Restless Residents in the Night

3

Complete the Common Phrases

Quiz 1

Ready to plan, create and collaborate with confidence?

Join thousands of activity professionals worldwide.