A quick game of Tic Tac Toe can pass the time.
Make a grid with nine spaces. One person has X's and another person has O's. First person chooses a square to put an X in. Next person chooses a square to put on O in. The person wins when there are three X's or O's in a straight line either up or down or diagonally.
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.
There are great instructions at the Creative Cubby website or follow the instructions below.
This paper clip fishing game can be fun.
Scatter paper clips on a table and have your loved one pick them up and put them back into a container.
Ask your loved one for help finding an object.
Ask, "Can you help me find?" and then have your loved one look for an item in your bag or around the room.
Having stones that your loved one can handle can be calming, and can give them something to do.
Bring a bag of stones of assorted shapes or colors. Encourage your loved one to sort by size, color, or make patterns and designs with the stones. Making simple pictures like a smiley face is another option. Encourage creativity.
Activities in which a person feels they are helping or being of service aid in creating positive feelings. This simple activity is something many people can do and is a calming task.
Have your loved one fold towels. If you have different colors, ask them to match the correct colors up as well.
This is a conversation game where you talk about two different options and why you would prefer one over the other.
Ask Questions Like:
Matching can be fun, and helps to engage your loved one in a mental activity.
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.
Magazines and books are a great outside source of entertainment.
A book, magazine, or audiobook.
Either read a book or magazine aloud to your loved one, or let them flip through one on their own. If your loved one doesn't mind headphones, an audiobook, either on a smartphone or tablet, might be perfect. You can get audiobooks free from your local library or from Audible by Amazon when you purchase an Audible Membership.
A hand massage using a little lotion with a favorite or relaxing scent is a simple way to connect and reduce tension.
Hand lotion. (An example of a complete Hand and Foot Lotion kit.)
Gently rub your loved one's hands. Be sure to be very soft in your pressure. Hand lotion can help.