Felt and Fabric Matching Game

Matching can be fun, and helps to engage your loved one in a mental activity.

Supplies:

• Felt like this Stiff Felt Fabric Squares Sheets Assorted Colors  or Fabric
• Sewing supplies

Instructions:

Have your loved one match the different patterns or colors of fabric. Make piles out of each kind of fabric.

You can create your own matching game or purchase an already made one.  If your loved one enjoys sewing and can still do some stitching, you can make the pieces yourself or have him or her help.  For those who cannot sew, fabric choice and pattern tracing is a great way to help. 

Memory Box

Memory boxes can be a great way to link a person to what they love from their past, helping to restore a person's identity. Some reasons memory boxes are useful:

• Helps to recall fond memories of youth, interests, children or history
• Inspires conversation with caregivers, children or grandchildren
• Exercises touch and other sensory stimulation\n• Gains more insight to your loved one

Supplies:

Required:

• Box or container that you have at home or something like this Unfinished Wood Cornice Box with Hinged Lid for Arts, Crafts, Hobbies and Home Storage

Optional:

• Fabric or wrapping paper to decorate the box.  
• Tape or glue.
• Accessories to decorate (for example, game pieces from well-loved games or candy packaging from well-loved candy).

Instructions:

Help your loved one create a box of memories they can enjoy on a regular basis. When you search for keepsakes, you may find special items you did not realize the senior still had. You can put anything you like in a memory box.  If your loved one is able, it is encouraged that he or she participates in the selection of items. You can use any style of box and even make an additional project out of decorating it.

Multi-Colored Bean Jar Decoration

The Multi-Colored Bean Jar Decoration is a fun way to create a decorative element for the home. More importantly, the craft project also involves touching and sorting the beans, which keeps the hands busy.

Supplies:

• Assorted Beans.
• An empty, clean glass jar. (glass jars)
• 1 yard twine or cord.
• 1/4 yard of fabric.
• Cotton batting.
• Rubber band.

Instructions: 

• Layer beans to the top of the jar.
• Tap lightly to settle the beans and top off with a few more.
• Screw the lid on the jar.
• Cut a piece of cotton batting equal to the size of the lid.
• Place batting on top.
• Cut a square of fabric to cover lid with just a bit hanging over the edge.
• Cover with a rubber band and wrap twine around the jar to cover the rubber band.
• Secure with a bow.

Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder

This is an activity with relatively easy instruction and safe materials depending on your choice of glue. (Using child-safe glue is a safe bet.) You can purchase bird feed or make your own at home as another activity.  This activity can also initiate conversations about birds or you can take a walk and look for birds.

Supplies:

• Popsicle Sticks.
• A tongue depressor (can use a popsicle stick instead).
• Glue gun and glue sticks.
• Cord.

Instructions:

There are great instructions at the Creative Cubby website or follow the instructions below.

• Gather 12 Popsicle sticks and line them up side by side.  Glue two sticks across the row and then flip it over doing the same to the other side.
• Make a second row of Popsicle sticks going in the opposite direction to reinforce the base.
• Glue down a tongue depressor.
• Continue by alternating Popsicle sticks around the outside until you have 6 rows, gluing each stick down as you go.
• Let dry.
• Paint the bird feeder.
• Using a hot glue gun attach a chord to the underside of the bird feeder.
• Thread the cord underneath the top round of Popsicle sticks and glue again using the glue gun.
• Fill the bird feeder with bird feed.