Fun Activities for Seniors

Caring for your aging parents, friends or family members goes beyond just making sure their basic needs are met; it's also about promoting their overall well-being by keeping them mentally stimulated, physically active, and socially connected. Engaging in meaningful and enjoyable activities is not just about keeping them busy – it's about giving them purpose and improving their health and overall happiness. So whether your family member is aging in their own home or has moved to a senior living community, we've got a roundup of activity ideas for seniors that will keep them engaged, connected and having fun.

Physical, mental and social activity are crucial elements for maintaining the overall health of older adults. Regular physical exercise not only helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes, but also improves balance, flexibility, and endurance, thereby limiting the risk of falls and injuries. On the other hand, mental activities like reading, puzzles and memory games aid in promoting brain health, warding off cognitive decline, and enhancing memory and attention span.

No matter how you cut it, keeping your mind busy and your body active is good for all of us, especially as we get older. And the science backs it up: a 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that engaging in even leisure activities for seniors can help maintain cognitive and physical health.

In fact, this aspect of aging is so important that many senior living communities invest in Engagement or Activity Directors, who play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents. They organize, programs of physical and mental health, and design social activities for residents. From recreational outings, playing games, art classes, fitness programs, intellectual discussions or even memory games, the best Activity Directors create a dynamic, engaging, and supportive environment for seniors to remain active and involved.

In general, a well developed program will include activities that support the following areas:

• Physical activity: Staying active as we age comes with a host of benefits vital for our overall health and well-being. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can aid in managing weight, improving balance and bone health, and reducing the risk of falls and fractures.
• Social activity: Social interactions keep us plugged into our communities, helping us sustain a sense of belonging and purpose. It can help seniors boost their emotional health, as feelings of loneliness and isolation can be warded off by meaningful connections. There's also an interesting impact on cognitive health; regular social interaction helps keep your brain sharp, possibly warding off conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, while promoting mental agility.
• Engagement: Staying engaged by participating in activities you truly enjoy can have a profoundly positive effect on your overall well-being as you age. This could be anything that promotes mental stimulation - from gardening to painting, bird-watching to baking, or even playing a musical instrument. When seniors invest time in hobbies they love, it not only keeps their minds sharp and bodies active, but it also gives a sense of accomplishment.

While some of us may enjoy exercise more than others, there's no doubt that movement helps everyone. Even if you're not a gym buff, we've got some great activity ideas to help your loved ones stay mobile.

• Walking: Walking offers an accessible way for seniors to stay active, boost balance and coordination, and explore their surroundings. So go ahead - hit up a local park and get some vitamin D and fresh air.
• Yoga: Regular yoga practice can improve flexibility and balance and reduce stress. And while yoga masters are everywhere these days, most elderly people are at a beginner level - so get started with family members, especially if you're a family caregiver. It's a great destressor. If you need some inspiration to get started, check out Yoga with Adriene.
• Swimming: Swimming is a great activity that is low impact, high resistance, and fantastic for those with arthritis. And today, many senior living communities have pools with water-based exercise classes, so it's among the set of standard activities for seniors.
• Strength training: Regular strength training with weights can help maintain muscle mass, increase strength, and help improve bone health, crucial for preventing illnesses like osteoporosis. Our suggestion? Do this one with friends - it makes the time go by much faster!
• Gardening: Regular gardening enables connection with nature, providing a moderate-intensity exercise that can foster strength, increase flexibility, and improve hand-eye coordination, while yielding a sense of accomplishment.
• Dancing: Joining a dance class can not only improve physical elements like balance, strength, and flexibility, but also enhance social interaction, provide mental stimulation and bring an overall sense of joy.
• Pilates: Regular Pilates can target core strengthening and flexibility, which can aid with posture, muscle tone, and balance. It can be modified based on one's fitness level, offering a progressive path for improvement.
• Hiking: Gentle hikes in nature can provide cardiovascular benefits, improve balance, and lower stress levels. They also create opportunities for social interaction and connection with nature, promoting mental relaxation.

Staying active is tough for all of us, but even more so for those with limited mobility. Aside from the very real physical challenges, older adults may be resistant to activity because they fear getting hurt or falling. As with all things related to exercise, the key is to start slow and to build from there. We've got a list of super fun activities for seniors who are wheelchair bound or have mobility issues.

• Chair yoga: Chair yoga involves performing gentle yoga poses from a seated position, improving flexibility and balance while reducing joint strain. It also includes simple breathing and meditation practices to foster mental tranquility. To get started, visit Chair Yoga for Restricted Mobility with yogi Kierstie Payge (and her cute dog!)
• Aquatic therapy: Conducted in a pool, aquatic therapy provides a gentle resistance which aids joint flexibility and muscle tone, while its weightlessness helps mitigate impact on the joints, reducing discomfort and strain. Pool time is one of those activities for seniors that is both comforting and energizing.
• Hand pedaler: A hand pedaler, or arm ergometer, facilitates a safe yet effective workout for the upper body, good for improving cardiovascular health and upper body strength without the risks of traditional weight lifting. We love this one from Amazon- it works for hands or feet and is small and compact.
• Resistance band exercises: These exercises involve stretchy bands that provide resistance to help improve muscle strength and flexibility. Resistance bands are versatile and can target almost every muscle group with a lower risk of injury. And they're great for people with limited mobility as you can choose the resistance you want.
• Pilates: Gentle pilates exercises can be modified to perform while sitting or laying down, focusing on enhancing core strength, improving flexibility and balance, and promoting overall body awareness.
• Seated Tai Chi: Seated Tai Chi offers a simplified version of the standing routine that can improve flexibility, balance, and motor control, while also nurturing the individual's mental well-being through its meditative approach.
• Chair dance: Seated dance forms, often set to energetic music, provide a fun means to improve cardiovascular fitness and coordination, with routines that can be tailored to individual fitness levels.
• Stretching: Regular stretching routines, focusing on both the upper and lower body, can help promote better flexibility, improve range of motion, and alleviate muscle tension, contributing to greater overall comfort.
• Seated gardening: With the use of tabletop pots or raised beds, seated gardening allows individuals to engage in a productive and relaxing activity, which can improve fine motor skills and offer a sense of accomplishment.

Finding new ways to spend time with grandkids can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially if the grandparent is worried about their physical abilities. But don't worry - we've got a great list of fun things here to do with kids, teens and tweens that keeps everyone moving, and leans into spending time outdoors, which is good for all of us.

• Nature walk: Nature is one of our best teachers, and spending time outside is a wonderful way for grandparents to reminisce, tell stories and connect. Take the kids on a nature walk or through a local park. You can even turn it into a themed game - around spotting babies (of any species), picking flowers to make a bouquet, or doing some good old fashioned community service and picking up litter along the way.
• Gardening together: Whether you're making a window box or planting a garden, gardening together is a wonderful activity where both the grandparent and the grandkids can sow seeds, water plants and watch them grow. It's a great way to keep active and also learn about nature and life cycle.
• Dance party: Grandparents can organize a fun dance session with their grandchildren; older adults can share music from their era and kids can share music from today's top 10. Create a playlist together that kids can keep on their phone - it's a wonderful way to connect across the generations, and another form of music therapy!
• Cooking Session: Remember, sometimes all that's required to stay active is to keep moving. Cooking together can involve standing, moving around, and using hand-eye coordination. Here's a list of sweet treats that are easy to make with the kids.
• Picnic: Grandparents can plan a picnic in a nearby park that involves outdoor games like frisbee or catch. It's a fun way to spend time together that can include walking, playing and setting up the picnic.
• Treasure hunt: A classic treasure hunt never gets old. Grandparents can organize this outdoor or indoor activity which gives them a chance to walk around and has the added bonus of solving riddles or puzzles. Devoted Grandma has some great ideas to get you started.
• Bird watching: They could take up bird watching and take their grandkids along on their adventures. This encourages walking, concentration, and provides educational opportunities.
• Photography outing: Grandparents can take their grandkids on a photography outing where they widen their radius of exploration in order to capture great pictures. And kids today have the edge - today's phones take amazing pictures. This would involve walking, focusing, and learning a new skill.

For seniors who like to see the product of their work, craft activities offer a great balance of creativity, activity and socialization when done with others. And did you know that creating art is actually good for their brain? Researchers at the Mayo Clinic followed 265 people in their 80s over four years and tracked the changes in their brains as they aged. The older adults who took up some sort of artistic work were actually less likely to develop mild cognitive problems such as memory lapses and difficulty thinking. our list of creative activities that are simple to do at home or even in a senior living community.

• Scrapbooking: Scrapbooking helps older adults exercise fine motor skills and wonderful way to help them share their life story. These mementos often end up being a beautiful vehicle for passing down so many important elements of a family history - and it's a great activity for family caregivers to do with them.
• Pottery: This craft not only challenges physical dexterity but also stimulates creativity. Both creating and painting the pottery can be a therapeutic and rewarding experience. We love a simple pinch pot activity - no need for a messy pottery wheel!
• Knitting or Crocheting: This is one of those activities for seniors that is both fun and familiar. Plus, it can be quite rewarding to see a project come together from just a ball of yarn. And if arthritic hands make working with knitting needles challenging, there's a whole new world of finger knitting.
• Soap Making: This can be a fun and practical craft that also provides opportunity for creativity with choosing scents, colors, and molds. Soap making kits are widely available, and the finished soaps are useful around the home or can be given as gifts.
• Woodworking: This activity can be as simple or as complex as you like, from carving small figurines to constructing furniture. It fosters hand-eye coordination, planning, and physical work, resulting in incredibly rewarding pieces that have a unique story to tell.
• Model Building: Assembling model cars, ships or planes is a craft that utilizes fine motor skills and patience. The output often has sentimental value, making this a wonderful past-time activity. Those ready for the next level can try this antique ship model.
• Home Brewing: Making your own beer or wine at home can be an exciting project which combines elements of both science and craft. It's an engaging hobby requiring attention and precision, but the final product makes for an interesting way to connect with others.
• Photography: While not a traditional craft, photography allows for creativity and the honing of a unique perspective. Editing the photos can also involve learning new software tools.

Social isolation is a serious concern for seniors, especially for those who live at home. While physical and creative activities are important, a sense of social connection and belonging is equally vital to aging outcomes. Did you know that studies show that loneliness can actually increase the risk of developing dementia? Make sure that the loved ones in your life are getting out and staying connected. Here are a few ideas:

• Join a book club or reading group: These gatherings provide a great chance to explore new authors and genres, discuss ideas, and make connections with other bibliophiles. Whether your preference is for modern books or classic literature, there's a book club that could be just your cup of tea.
• Start a cooking or baking group: Cooking together can be a wonderful mix of camaraderie and culinary exploration. Sharing family recipes, learning from each other, and tasting different cuisines are activities for seniors that broaden their horizons and keep them connected . If you live in a senior living community, starting a cooking club is also a great way to get to know people!
• Start a movie club: We all have our list of favorite movies, and sharing our "top ten" can lead to great conversations. Let each person pick a movie to have the group watch. Bonus points if you get a meal or cocktails to match the movie!
• Play board games or card games: From chess clubs to bridge groups, traditional games offer both fun and strategic challenges. These games sharpen the mind, foster team spirit, and can often be the highlight of the week. Some of our favorites include Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee and Boggle - these board games are great for the group and even better for the brain!

Remember, the key to healthy aging is to remain physically active, mentally engaged, and socially connected. It's less about age and more about attitude. So help your loved ones step forward and embrace this new phase of life with curiosity, enthusiasm and adventure.