Sanding & Painting Birdhouses

Object

• Encourage new interests
• Promote friendships
• Soothe the mind and the soul

Preparation

Ask the relatives of 3 residents to buy birdhouses in raw wood; they can be found in produce or hardware stores.

Materials

• Birdhouses
• Sanding blocks: rough and fine;
• Paint brushes
• Colorful paint or clear estapol

Instructions

Seat residents around a table outdoors and ask them to sand their birdhouse. Encourage them by demonstrating. The rough sanding blocks should be used a few times before starting on the fine sanding blocks.

This activity will take a few sessions - once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes of sanding. Use these opportunities to reminisce and engage men in discussions about past projects and hobbies.

Once the birdhouses are ready, treat with clear estapol or paint in colorful tones.