Arts and crafts are fun at any age. From engaging with others to sparking creativity, there's nothing like getting your hands dirty (or should we say glittery?) in the name of fun. Looking for craft ideas to engage your residents? Keep reading to learn more!
Easy Craft Projects for Older Adults
The following creative activities for older adults are sure to bring joy to your entire community.
Suncatchers
Suncatchers are a fun way to engage residents and the community at large; visiting grandkids can even participate! Even better, the resulting product will be a vibrant decoration that residents can hang in their windows and enjoy year-round.
What You'll Need:
- Scissors or wire cutters
- Beads (preferably shiny)
- Thread, wire, fishing wire, or another type of clear string
How to Make It:
- Pre-cut the string or wire for your residents before tying a knot at the end of the string or folding the end of the wire.
- Lay out a variety of beads and charms for residents.
Once residents have placed their beads or charms along the string or wire, tie a knot or fold the end. Leave enough space to create a loop from which the suncatchers can be hanged.
Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are great art projects for senior citizens. They allow older adults to revisit fond memories and, if loved ones are involved, share valuable family history and personal stories.
What You'll Need:
- Small binders or folders
- Construction paper
- Stickers
- Glitter
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils, pens, and pencils
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
How to Make It:
Ask residents or family members for photographs that you can create copies of.
Collect photograph copies and distribute them to the appropriate residents.
Set aside a set amount of paper and other supplies near each resident.
Step back and watch the magic happen!
Painted Rocks
Painted rocks are an affordable way to let people of any skill level be crafty. Even better, this activity can be enjoyed all-year round or you can host a rock-painting event with a seasonal theme, such as for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
What You'll Need:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Cups of water (to wash paintbrushes)
- Paper towels
- Paper plates
- Rocks
How to Make It:
Set up a cup of water, paper towel, paintbrush, bare rock, and paper plate with small splotches of paint for each resident.
Decorating Picture Frames
Allow residents and visiting grandchildren to create an eye-catching centerpiece, so residents can spice up their home décor with something personal.
What You'll Need:
- Picture frames
- Paintbrushes
- Cups of water (to wash paintbrushes)
- Glue or tape
- Paint, crayons, and markers
- Glitter
- Extra embellishments like pom poms and stickers
How to Make It:
Set aside a picture frame for each resident while pooling all other crafting materials in the center of a table.
Pinecone Christmas Tree Ornaments
If it's the most wonderful time of the year, why not let residents have fun with some Christmas crafts? Let residents create pinecone Christmas ornaments that you can display on the community Christmas tree!
What You'll Need:
- Pinecones
- Twine or string
- Scissors
- White, gold, or silver glitter
- Paintbrushes
- Paper plates
- Paper towels
- White acrylic paint
How to Make It:
- Use the twine to create a loop and affix the opposite end to a pinecone.
- Set aside a pinecone, paper towel, and paintbrush for each resident.
- Put your acrylic paint on communal paper plates.
- Let residents paint the tips of their pinecones with the white paint to mimic freshly fallen snow.
- While the paint is still wet, allow residents to pour glitter (or have a staff member pour the glitter) over the pinecone. (To make cleanup easier, pour the glitter over a paper plate to catch the excess.)
- Set aside the pinecones to let them dry.
Greeting Cards
Homemade greeting cards are fun crafts that let residents communicate with their loved ones while expressing their creativity.
What You'll Need:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Stickers
- Pens, pencils, markers, crayons, and colored pencils
- Envelopes
How to Make It:
- Pre-cut cards for residents while also leaving plenty of construction paper aside to allow residents the option of cutting out their own cards.
- Place all materials on a table.
- Let residents have fun!
- Have an envelope set aside for each resident. Before each resident leaves, make sure to discuss who each resident wants to send their card to; add the names and addresses to the envelope.
Paper Flower
Paper crafts are fun spring or summertime crafts that can help residents welcome in a new season with joy.
What You'll Need:
- Colorful construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
How to Make It:
Leave materials out for residents—that's it! You can also pre-cut shapes out to let residents with dexterity issues join in on the fun.
Snowflakes and Snowmen
Deck the halls with snowflakes and snowmen! This simple craft is a seasonal favorite and all you need are some scissors and coffee filters!
What You'll Need:
- Scissors
- Round traditional coffee filters
How to Make It:
- Set supplies out for residents.
- You can also draw shapes and designs onto filters with pencils to guide residents while they cut.
At Monarch Communities®, we value creativity and engagement with others. Check out our community events calendars to see what our communities enjoy on a regular basis!