10 Engaging Activities for Nursing Home Residents

Engaging residents in enjoyable activities is key to enhancing their quality of life in nursing homes. Thoughtfully planned events can foster social connections, creativity, and physical activity, contributing to overall well-being. Here are ten great activity ideas, complete with supplies lists to help you get started.

1. Gardening

One particularly engaging activity for residents is gardening. This could be an opportunity to continue an old hobby or help somebody develop a new interest. Whether it’s tending to a facility garden, or caring for individual plants, this is a great way to get residents involved and enjoying the outdoors.

Supplies Needed: Seeds, watering cans, gardening gloves, soil, flowerpots.

Supplies Needed: Fresh or artificial flowers, vases, cans, jars, scissors, floral foam, ribbons, decorative accents.

3. Playing Bingo

Bingo is a classic favorite among nursing home residents. It’s engaging, easy to organize, and provides an opportunity for social interaction while enhancing focus and memory. Having fun prizes or adding ‘blackout bingo’ are ways to add more excitement to this nursing home staple.

Supplies Needed: Bingo Cards, markers, prize items.

4. Making Friendship Bracelets

Making friendship bracelets or other jewelry offers a creative outlet and the opportunity to craft personalized gifts for friends and loved ones. It’s also a great way to improve fine motor skills and encourage bonding among residents.

Pictured is residents at Ganado Nursing and Rehabilitation in Ganado, TX enjoying a friendship bracelet making activity.

Supplies Needed: Embroidery floss or yarn, beads, scissors, tape or clipboards for securing the thread.

5. Hosting a Sporting Competition

A sports day can be adapted to all ability levels, focusing on light activities such as balloon volleyball or cornhole. It promotes physical activity and friendly competition. Partnering with the Therapy Department can make this extra rewarding, as residents can participate in a fun activity, while working towards their therapy goals.

Supplies Needed: Lightweight sports equipment (balloons, bean bags, soft balls, small basketball hoop), scorecards, medals or ribbons for prizes.

6. Hosting a Poker Game or Casino Night

Hosting a poker game or ‘casino night’ can be an exciting way to get the entire facility involved. With themed decorations, prizes, and music, this can turn into an event residents will remember. This can include a game of poker, roulette, or some simple card games. All can be both enjoyable for all residents, and mentally stimulating.

Heritage House of Marshall Health and Rehab Center in Marshall, TX and Graham Oaks Care Center in Graham, TX both had fun hosting a themed Casino Night for their residents.

Supplies Needed: Playing cards, poker chips, play money, tables, decorative background or table decor for a casino theme, prizes.

7. Painting Canvases or Vases

A painting session allows residents to explore their creativity, whether through guided tutorials or free expression. Residents could paint canvases, flowerpots, or even rocks. This activity can be both relaxing and rewarding, with a fun piece of artwork to keep afterwards. Consider themed painting sessions, such as seasonal landscapes, abstract art, or art for a specific holiday.

Supplies Needed: Canvases or paper, acrylic or watercolor paints, brushes, aprons, water cups, easels.

Fortress Nursing and Rehabilitation in College Station, TX and The Park in Plano in Plano, TX made thank you cards to share their appreciation with their facility volunteers.

Supplies Needed: Blank cards or cardstock, markers, stickers, glue, scissors, decorative paper, stamps.

9. Hosting a Spa Day

A spa day can be a relaxing treat for residents, helping them feel pampered and refreshed. This can include hand massages, nail painting, and face masks. Additional elements like soothing background music, scented candles, and cozy robes can enhance the experience. Offering aromatherapy and warm towels can also create a spa-like atmosphere, making residents feel truly special and cared for.

Supplies Needed: Nail polish, nail files, face masks, lotion, towels, calming music, essential oils, scented candles, cozy robes, warm towels.

10. Decorating Cookies

Cookie decorating combines creativity with a delicious dessert. Residents can decorate pre-baked cookies with icing, sprinkles, and other edible decorations. They could also help bake the cookies as well for an extra rewarding experience.

The residents of The Oaks of Granbury in Granbury, TX were all smiles while decorating sugar cookies.

Supplies Needed: Pre-baked cookies, frosting, food coloring, sprinkles, small plates.

Activities in Creative Solutions in Healthcare Facilities

At Creative Solutions in Healthcare, our approach to activities is about creating experiences that resonate with each resident and create an overall enriching environment. We want you to have peace of mind knowing your loved one will have many opportunities to be involved in engaging activities throughout the day.

We recognize the importance of variety in life enrichment, which is why we divide activities into 8 domains, Physical, Creative, Spiritual, Social, Community, Entertainment, Emotional, and Cognitive. Our goal is to offer something for everyone.  Our buildings host an activity from each domain monthly, while incorporating physical activity at least 3 times per week. These regularly scheduled experiences, across a range of interests, provide each resident with the opportunity to explore their passions and maintain a fulfilling daily routine. Under the guidance of our caring staff, residents continue to learn, grow, and thrive—embracing each day with renewed confidence and joy.

This gives residents different experiences to look forward to throughout the month, such as painting, gardening, or going on an outing to an organized community event.

How Do I Find an Activity Program Near Me?

One of our core values at Creative Solutions is Enriching Lives, and we commit to this by ensuring that our residents are happy, healthy, and active. With facilities across Texas, we have life enriching activities well within reach of you and your loved one.

So, if you’re looking to better understand what daily life can look like inside one of our buildings, you can call a facility near you to learn more.