Craft
100s of creative ideas for engaging craft sessions suitable for the elderly. Simple, fun and fast activities to be enjoyed in a small group setting.
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Reminiscing: How to Create a Memory Board
Residents downsize quite a bit to move into a care home. Help them reminisce about their past while you learn more about them by creating Memory Boards!
9 Comments Member Activity
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Sip and Paint
I provided clip art on canvas. We had sparkling juice. If your facility allows you can use wine.
9 Comments Member Activity
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Frida Kahlo Headband
Have fun making these gorgeous Frida Kahlo inspired headbands with your clients!
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Air Drying Clay: Flower Pot Project
Our residents enjoyed this activity and were pleased with their project.
3 Comments Member Activity
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Hands on Tote Art Project
A great intergenerational activity with older children, using skills to trace, color and cut under the supervision of senior residents or staff. This activity promotes teamwork and creates a special bond between seniors and children.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Twigs in a Vase Gratitude Tree
A homemade Thanksgiving Twig Tree can be made from the dried branches of trees placed in a vase with stones or sand to keep them in place.
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Paper Gratitude Tree
A homemade Thanksgiving Tree can be made from cardboard attached to a wall or whiteboard.
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Creative Hand Fans
Our creative staff in China came up with this idea due to the hot summer days we get in Beijing. Cheap craft stores and dollar shops sometimes have these in the craft section.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Creative Button Tree
This is a creative activity and residents should be encouraged to draw their own picture; a tree or a silhouette of a person or animal. For those unable to draw, two templates have been provided.
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Tea Pot planters
Inexpensive and fun craft! We will be filling them with soil and herb seeds. We love Decoupage!
4 Comments Member Activity
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Art-Based Cognitive Therapy: Palm Sketch
Art-based Cognitive Therapy is of great benefit and may be included in a well-being program. Residents can be introduced to watercolour and acrylic painting. In this activity, residents first create a beautiful and colorful backdrop with paint and then sketch their palms after learning about the 4 major lines of the palm.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Decoupage Wooden Hangers
I purchased 24 wooden hangers and some beautiful and inexpensive paper napkins. Sanded down the hangers and decoupaged using Modge Podge. Voila!
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Festive Wall Art Craft
Lovely wall art for all occasions! Video instructions included.
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Drawing from Numbers
There are many easy learn-to-draw techniques out there, however none are quite as easy as Drawing from Numbers!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Mozart's Birthday Creative Art Project
Pencil in some music script lines, a treble clef and a base clef on A3 poster paper....
4 Comments Member Activity
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Eyeglass Lens Brooch
Take old eyeglasses and remove the lenses (you can also buy them at the dollar store). Cut out a favorite picture using the lenses as templates for sizing...
9 Comments Member Activity
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Creative Group Projects for Seniors
Creative art pursuits are an engaging and stimulating leisure pastime for seniors and can have a significant positive impact on their well-being.
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Sunflowers Poster Group Activity
Here is another lovely and engaging creative group activity for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Create a beautiful sunflowers poster in a group craft session!
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Canvas Creative Group Project
Group art projects are a engaging activity for seniors in nursing homes. Creative group projects should have a theme; each client draws a picture (theme example: Christmas), and the final work is displayed as a group work of art.
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Mosaic Saucepan Rest
Mosaic activities are creative, addictive and calming. Mosaics make any surface beautiful! They can be used as a saucepan and spoon rest, a teapot rest, or to sit a pot plant upon. This is a lovely activity for seniors, it's one the men will enjoy too.
2 Comments Video
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Wine Cork Boards
These look lovely in the kitchen or a bedroom and will last for many years. They can be used for photos, messages, reminders, grocery lists, and business cards. A wonderful activity for seniors in nursing homes.
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Rock on Rock Craft
This is a wonderful craft activity for seniors that is fun, creative and always successful. There is no right or wrong way to put the stones together - each piece is unique and beautiful! Encourage your clients to unleash their inner talents! These lovely stone creations make lovely gift mementos too.
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Hand-painted Rocks
This is a lovely, calming and creative activity for the elderly using smooth river rocks and pebbles. These decorated pebbles are perfect small gifts to give to friends, families and volunteers.
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Magazine Collage
Great activity, calming and encouraging discussion and creativity. It really has been very therapeutic for the residents to create.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Scavenger Collages
As the saying goes - One Person's Trash is Another Person's Art - Scavenger Collages can be made of almost anything you find or intend to throw out. This is also a great activity for men in nursing homes.
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Templates from famous artists born in July
Art templates from well known artists born in the month of July
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Indigenous Australian Dot Paintings
Indigenous Australians use plant shoots, Echidna quills and small twigs to paint their Dreamtime stories. Here are 12 Dot Painting Templates to enjoy with the elderly.
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Sensory Rain Sticks
Rain sticks are well loved by babies and older children. They are also particularly good for people living with dementia. They remind people of the sound of gently falling rain, which is harmonious and relaxing.
13 Comments Video
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Tie & Bow-tie Decorations
Gorgeous bow-tie and tie garland decorations for Father's Day. Perfect for a craft session with seniors.
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Sticks & Bark Collage
Create beautiful artwork from sticks and bark. A fun and engaging craft activity for seniors!
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Mixed Media Collages for the Elderly
An engaging and stimulating Activity for Seniors! Mixed Media Collage activities are especially beneficial for people living with dementia. Dementia and creativity mix well together, producing works that are original and daintily surprising.
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Sun-catcher Hearts
Hang hearts from ceiling with strings or attach to walls and glass windows with blue tack. If you want to make garlands use the small heart template.
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Paper Planes Reminiscing Game
Ideal for men, this activity will foster friendship and bring much laughter. It would be helpful if you could find a male volunteer to sit with participants and remind them of different ways to make paper airplanes.
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The Benefits of Coloring-in for the Elderly
Coloring for seniors is a therapeutic and satisfying activity. Research into the effects of coloring activities for people living with dementia show positive outcomes, most notably a decrease in agitation and anxiety.
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Easter Carrots Craft
Gorgeous DIY Easter carrots to decorate dining table or gather into a garland decoration.
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Creative Easter Mini Wreaths
The wreath in the picture is made from Rosemary branches but don't limit yourself, you may use any long lasting 'hardy' foliage.
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Making Rainbows
This activity is suitable as part of an Intergenerational Program. Residents are paired with their own grandchildren or local school children to make beautiful rainbows.
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Laminating Leaves
Laminating leaves is a fun activity for any age suitable to any time of the year. Preserved leaves last for months providing eye-catching mobiles, fridge magnets, placemats, gift tags, and more.
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Mandalas for the Elderly
This ancient form of meditative art is a great activity for elderly clients in assisted care facilities.
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Abayomi Rag Doll
Beautiful and easy to make! Abayomi rag dolls are traditional of Africa and can be adapted to celebrate the native people of any country. They are also a lovely gift idea for any occasion.
6 Comments Video
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Pin Cushion Gift Ideas
Consider this easy to make gift for Mother’s Day or for Volunteers. These pin cushions are fun to make!
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Sand Bottles
Recycle bottles with sand and make them into vases and containers for knick-knacks.
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Friendship Wheel
Residents reminisce, enjoy the tactile and sensory colours and friendships promoted while they let their creative side get arty, have fun, and use many skills which they didn't know they had.
6 Comments Member Activity
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Gift Jar and Candle Holder
Celebrate Volunteers Day with a lunch or High Tea in their honor. You can make it extra especial if you give them an inexpensive gift; preferably made by the residents.
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Heart of Kindness
This is a group activity suitable for other celebrations as well, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day.
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Salt Dough Beads
When l did this activity the residents wanted to make beads that would match the clothes they wore.
8 Comments Member Activity
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Salt Dough Teddy Bear
This activity uses a basic salt dough recipe but you could use modelling clay.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Basic Salt Dough
This is a simple recipe to make a soft dough for craft uses.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Wish catcher art and craft
This activity stimulated conversation about their hopes and wishes but was also simple enough for other residents to join in by choosing and tying materials to the the ring.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Stringing Beads
Stringing beads is a simple and affordable activity for seniors that produces beautiful and satisfying results. This activity can be adapted to suit people living with dementia.
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Stained glass windows
Lovely stained glass windows for any season.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Vase Jars
Vases are always in short supply at many facilities. This activity provides your clients with a lovely useful vase made from relatively inexpensive items.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Make your own Bird Bath
This is a wonderful way to encourage creativity. It is a fun activity that can be shared by two people.
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A Sweet for My Sweet Jars
A cute craft idea to sell on a stall or trading table.
1 Comment Member Activity
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Epson Salt Bottles
Recycling bottles into vases or containers can be fun. This activity is an ideal gift for a friend, volunteer or family member.
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Memorial Day Poppy (Fabric)
Poppy flowers have long been a part of Memorial Day, Remembrance Day and Anzac Day. Here is another way of making a Poppy; this time in fabric.
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Colour by Numbers
Choose colors you like and number them from one to eleven. Color the picture accordingly.
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Colouring-in for September
Impressions of famous works by Leunig and Grandma Moses for colouring-in.
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Friendship Bracelet
Source materials for this activity from discount stores where they sell costume jewellery supplies. You may also go to charity shops and buy second-hand bead necklaces
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Paper Tole
Create 3D images using the same print and cutting out items you wish to feature in the picture.
5 Comments Member Activity
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Play dough crafts
I work in a secure dementia wing and I found this activity excellent, even for vision impaired.
Thank you Marina for submitting this activity!12 Comments Member Activity
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International Flag Decorations
Have fun decorating international flags.
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International Flags on Fabric
Celebrate cultural diversity by creating flags and sewing or gluing onto fabric.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Cup and saucer table decorations
Pretty table decorations made from cups, sauces and silk flowers.
Thank you Jean for this wonderful idea!12 Comments Member Activity
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Recycled Paper Mâché Bowls
A great craft that can be as basic or as complex as you like. It is light weight, doesn't break easily, inexpensive, therapeutic and above all, fun to make.
2 Comments
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Recycled CD Fish Mobile
Providing lovely visual stimulation, this activity encourages creativity and should be placed in bedrooms and recreation areas. A great activity for men!
9 Comments
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Decoupage on Glass
Turn bottles and glass jars into these cute candle holders, vases or containers for chocolates and other sweets. Ideal gift idea!
6 Comments
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Pressed Flowers
It is so easy to make lovely pressed flowers and leaves that you can use to decorate cards, jars and magnets.
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Colouring-in templates for Children's Book Day
Here are some colouring-in templates for Children's Book Day.
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More cards for mother's day
Here a some lovely and simple cards you can make for Mother's Day.
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Messages for Mother's Day cards
Here are some lovely verses to use in Mother's Day cards.
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Homemade Cards for Mother's Day
There is nothing like a personalised Mother's Day card made with love! They are easy to make and require materials you can find around the place or your local discount store. There are no rules so let the imagination run wild.
4 Comments
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Sensory Lap Quilt
Make your own sensory quilts to ease agitated or restless clients.
Thank you Chantal for this wonderful idea!10 Comments Member Activity
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Personalised Cards
I found this web site that allows you to create and print out all types of cards.
It's lovely when a card can be presented that is personalised.4 Comments Member Activity
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Craft Snake
Make Snake into mobile by cutting along lines & hang from its tail.
Thanks Linda for sending this in!6 Comments Member Activity
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Craft Garden
Create your own beautiful craft garden!
This is a lovely activity perfect for a nursing home setting.4 Comments Member Activity
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Preserved fall leaves
Preserved fall leaves last throughout the festive season shining and supple, and are a lovely addition to a table or used as hanging decoration.
5 Comments
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Recycled Glass Jars Candle Holders
They are easy to make and an ideal present for a friend or relative or perhaps a kind nurse or volunteer.
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Paper leaves fall decoration
This is an easy activity for one and all. Good fun for creative minds.
3 Comments
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Fall Leaves Hanging Decoration
Lovely decorations made from fallen leaves to celebrate Autumn.
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How to Make Daffodils
Make beautiful paper daffodil flowers to celebrate the arrival of Spring!
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Masquerade Masks
Wear a mask created in an arts & craft session to your Brazilian themed party!
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How to make a Dream Catcher
A dream catcher is a handmade object made by American Indians believed to give its owner good dreams.
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Marble Painting
Here is a fun art activity that everyone can enjoy. Thanks Melissa for this activity!
3 Comments Member Activity
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Bow Ties for Father's Day and Special Events
VIDEO Instructions included! Make bow ties in a craft session and give it to your male residents on Father’s Day to help celebrate this festive occasion.
16 Comments Video
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How to Make Pom-Poms
Making pom-poms requires patience but the end product is very satisfying. Pom-poms can be used for colour sorting games for Alzheimer's patients.
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Recycled Magazine Scrapbooks
Beautiful scrapbooks made from recycled magazines. Make them to suit the interests of individuals. A wonderful activity for seniors living with dementia.
21 Comments Member Activity
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Greetings Cards for Fathers Day
Making greeting cards is a lot of fun! Have a session to make cards for every male in you facility on Father's Day. Celebrate their hobbies, their love of animals, their fancy cars and their enthusiasm for sports.
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Paper Beads for Mothers Day
This is a lovely present for a friend, staff or volunteer.
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Recycled Puzzle Photo Frame
This is another great activity that can be offered as a present to someone close to you or to a volunteer/staff for their time and kindness.
2 Comments
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Mosaic Tiles made from colourful paper
These Islamic and European mosaics tiles look rather stunning when complete!
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Mosaic Tiles for decorating
This is an easier version of the Mosaic tile activity which will be more suitable to participants who enjoy colouring or painting.
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Recycled Dream Spring Tree
Celebrate spring at your nursing home by making a gorgeous dream tree composed of spring flowers and blossoms!
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Tissue Paper Sun Catchers - Easter Bunny
Making mobiles or sun catchers are activities that low care residents can do for frail people in Nursing Homes. Mobiles and sun catchers can act as a visual stimulation to those no longer able to participate in activities.
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Contact paper mobiles
Visual stimulation offers the broadest range of possibilities.
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Air Dry Clay Activities
Air Dry clay is a creative and therapeutic craft product suitable for people from 8 to 80 years old. It is easy to shape, decorate and paint; no kilns or ovens are necessary and it does not shrink when drying. Great for gifts!
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Lovely Hanging Paper Flowers
Easy paper flowers to decorate your facility on all occasions.
1 Comment
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Crepe Paper Poppies for Remembrance Day
Potential for reminiscing. Personal satisfaction. Video included!
4 Comments Video
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Felt Poppies for Remembrance Day
Socialization with peers in a group setting. Sense of accomplishment. Video included!
7 Comments Video
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Ivy Wreaths for Remembrance/Anzac Day
Enhance self esteem. Have fun with arts and crafts!
13 Comments
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Australian Bookmarks for Australia Day
Easy and fun to make! Give the bookmarks as souvenirs to friends, staff and relatives.
7 Comments
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Collage with gum nuts and leaves
Celebrate cultural uniqueness and promote friendship and sharing.
4 Comments
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Valentine's Day Hearts
Cultural observance. Reminiscing.
6 Comments
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Flower pot colouring-in
A lovely arts & craft activity for Mother's Day!
2 Comments
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Daisy Photo Frame
Celebrate Mother's Day with beautiful floral decorations with photo centerpieces!
3 Comments
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Recycled Easter Baskets
Lovely Easter baskets you can make with recycled paintings and paper.
2 Comments Video
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Tissue flowers for Mother's Day
To observe cultural dates. To engage residents in reminiscing
1 Comment
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World Oceans Day Poster
Help celebrate the oceans rich diversity of life. Have fun by turning a wall in your facility into your own ocean or aquarium.
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Winter Craft – Snow Flakes
Stunning snow-flakes to decorate any room. They are so simple to make and just beautiful.
7 Comments
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Winter Craft – Hanging Leaves
These lovely leaves will look great hanging from ceilings, decorating glass windows and walls or made into mobiles for people who spend long periods of time in bed.
3 Comments
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Spring Flowers & Butterflies
To promote friendship. Maintain skills.
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Recycled Hanging Snow Flakes
Here is an activity that offers social opportunity and can make your facility look festive on all occasions.
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Recycled carton Bird Feeder
To promote interaction and sharing. To enhance self-esteem
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Colouring-in for May
Lovely artwork templates including a floral photo frame, butterflies, jar with flowers and a stylized cat.
4 Comments
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Mother's Day Flowers Craft
Another way of making lovely tissue flowers for Mother's Day - video included!
2 Comments Video
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Summer Yarn Balls
These are lovely balls to decorate your facility at your annual Summer Ball. These spring balls are very satisfying, rewarding, and fun to make!
11 Comments
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Paper Plate Sunflower
This is another great craft to do and ideal to decorate your facility for parties or a Spring Festival. Offer lots of decoration options and let participants express themselves artistically.
2 Comments
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Salt Dough Magnets
I find this activity very rewarding. Participants can have the pleasure of holding dough in their hands for fun; no need for gloves like when they are cooking.
8 Comments
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Colouring-in for June
Some artwork templates for June!
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Winter Craft Club
Get a few ladies together with a nice cup of tea and teach them how to make these wonderful crafts.
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Art with Seeds and Pulses
For cereal and seed craft you may use: bird seed, all colors of beans, corn kernels, sunflower seeds, rice, pasta, all colours of lentils, nuts and small pebbles and sand (whatever you have handy) .
5 Comments
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Recycled hats for Oaks or Cup Day
Member submitted activity - thank you Filidea!
Beautiful hats made from paper plates, servettes, wrapping paper, bows, feathers and tule.8 Comments Member Activity
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Picture Frame for Special Occasion
This is an easy craft that can be run over 2 craft sessions.
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Letters of the Alphabet Templates
Create and decorate your own banners for special events!
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Egg carton Spring Flowers
Recycle egg cartons and make your facility look festive by hanging these colourful flowers everywhere.
1 Comment
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Recycled Crayon Sun Catchers
Beautiful hanging sun catchers for any season!
1 Comment
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Scented Bath Salts
Easy and fun, this activity takes roughly one hour to make. This is an ideal inexpensive gift to make for a volunteer or to offer as a birthday gift.
3 Comments
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Mosaics
Mosaics with small tiles - a great activity for men.
2 Comments Member Activity
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Monet Water Lillies Recreation
Celebrate Claude Monet's birthday in November by recreating one of his famous paintings!
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Mandalas
Beautiful mandala templates to decorate in a relaxing and creative activity
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Coffee Filter Sun Flowers
Improve dexterity. Provide enjoyment.
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Fun with Salt Dough
Increase socialization. Improve ability to follow directions.
4 Comments
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Papier-Mache Maracas - percussion instruments
Versatile and interesting activity. Maintains and improves dexterity.
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Pot Painting
Enhance spiritual fulfillment. Improve dexterity.
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Autumn Tree
To promote fine motor movements. To have fun!
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Sweetheart Tree
Gathered pictures of residents with their sweetheart.
6 Comments Member Activity
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Reading Books Made from Newspaper Clippings
Choose positive, pleasant, interesting articles.
4 Comments Member Activity
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Thanks for the hard work you put into making our Jobs a bit simpler....This is such a valuable site for all Diversional Therapists. I can't thank you enough :-)
Kareen Kovacich
Diversional Therapist
Australia
