Sample Dementia Activity Calendar

February 2022 Dementia Activity Calendar

Find fun senior activity ideas for your Alzheimer's and dementia residents in the calendar below that you can easily add to your senior facility's activity calendar.

TIP: Click on the links in the calendar box below to see more information about each activity.

Fun Dementia Activity Ideas for February
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28

TIP: Use the following monthly themes as inspiration for activity ideas.

February is ...

TIP: Find activities that are classified to help you easily find the types of activity ideas that you need for your calendar.

Each day contains six types of activities:

TIP: Click on the highlighted links below to get more information (instructions, recipes, or pictures) to assist with completing the activity.

1

Crafts: Paper Lanterns

Invite residents to use construction paper to create paper lanterns to decorate your facility on this day of the Chinese New Year.

One-on-One: Coloring Old Hollywood Stars

Provide your resident with colored pencils to fill in coloring pages of Old Hollywood stars on this birthday of American actor Clark Gable. Before the activity, print out a few Old Hollywood coloring pages, like Clark Gable or Frank Sinatra.

Exercise: Red Envelope Hunt

On this day of the Chinese New Year, invite residents to participate in a fun red envelope hunt. Beforehand, print out an envelope template onto sheets of red paper before using glue sticks to assemble the red envelopes, and fill each envelope with a bingo buck that residents can use during a future bingo auction where they bid on bingo prizes. (Read more: how to use bingo bucks) Next, hide the red envelopes throughout your facility, and encourage residents to walk the common areas to find and collect the hidden envelopes.

Bedside: St. Brigid's Cross

Use pipe cleaners or raffia to show your resident how to make a St. Brigid's Cross on this St. Brigid Feast Day.

Reminiscing: Musical Instruments

Reminisce with residents about the music lessons that they have taken in the past on this birthday of cellist and composer Victor Herbert. Afterwards, use your phone to play stringed instruments for residents to try to identify by sound.

Sensory Stimulation: Learning Tai Chi

Teach your residents how to perform a few Tai Chi exercises on this day of the Chinese New Year.

Back to Activity Calendar

2

Crafts: Torn Paper Candles

Help residents make torn paper candles by ripping colorful paper on this Candlemas Day.

One-on-One: Hedgehog Cheese Ball

Recruit your resident to assist you with making a hedgehog cheese ball on this Hedgehog Day.

Exercise: Ping Pong Ball

On this National Girls and Women in Sports Day, teach residents how to play ping pong ball, in which a pair of residents use straws to try to hit the ping pong ball in their opponent's goal (cup).

Bedside: Small Town Living

Borrow a tablet to view beautiful small towns with your resident on this Groundhog Day that is celebrated each year in the small Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney.

Reminiscing: Popular Cooking Shows

Reminisce with residents about their favorite cooking shows on this day that the show The French Chef featuring Julia Child premiered on television. Afterwards, share a list of popular cooking shows to see if residents remember them.

Sensory Stimulation: Shadow Drawing

Assist residents with drawing shadows on paper on this Groundhog Day. For the activity, set several tables in front of a few sunny windows in your facility. Then place a few objects on paper for residents to draw the shadows.

Back to Activity Calendar

3

Crafts: Bean Mosaic Frames

Assist residents with assembling bean mosaic frames using cardboard, glue, and beans on this day of the Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan.

One-on-One: Beans in a Can

Show your resident how to play Beans in a Can on this day of the Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan. To play, set an empty can on the floor and provide your resident with dried beans to drop into the can while standing over the can.

Exercise: Bean Bag Throwing Game

On this day of the Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan, invite residents to play a bean bag throwing game. Beforehand, draw a target onto cardboard. Then during the game, have residents toss their bean bags to accumulate points.

Bedside: Reading Children's Stories

Use your resident's phone to record her reading a children's story that she can send to a grandchild on this World Read Aloud Day.

Reminiscing: Reviewing the Art of Norman Rockwell

Reminisce with residents about whether they used to read The Saturday Evening News magazine on this birthday of artist Norman Rockwell. Afterwards, pass around photos of Rockwell's artwork for residents to try to recall.

Sensory Stimulation: Cream Cheese Tasting

For this Carrot Cake Day, honoring a cake that is known for having cream cheese frosting, invite residents to participate in a tasty cream cheese tasting. For the activity, supply residents with small samples of regular cream cheese frosting, espresso cream cheese frosting, and cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Back to Activity Calendar

4

Crafts: Flag Rocks

Pass out rocks and paint to residents to create flag rocks on this first day of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Keep the finished rocks out as decoration during the Olympics.

One-on-One: High-Heeled Candy Cookies

On this birthday of feminist Betty Friedan, assist your resident with assembling fun high-heeled cookies using Nutter Butter cookies, Tootsie Roll candies, chocolate candy coating, and edible decorations.

Exercise: Underhand Hole in One

In recognition of this birthday of American golfer Byron Nelson, invite residents to play a game of Underhand Hole in One. To play, set up a bucket in the middle of the floor, and provide residents with ping pong balls to toss underhand to try to get the balls in the bucket or to be the closet to the bucket. Award a point each round to the person whose ball is in the bucket or is the closest to the bucket.

Bedside: Things Invented by Women

Borrow a tablet to share a list of items invented by women with your resident on this birthday of feminist Betty Friedan.

Reminiscing: Planes, Trains or Automobiles

Reminisce with residents about their favorite way to travel on this birthday of aviator Charles Lindbergh. Afterwards, share a few fun facts about travelling with residents.

Sensory Stimulation: Which Bubble Gum Blows the Biggest Bubble?

Organize a fun bubble gum science experiment for residents on this Bubble Gum Day by providing each resident with different types of gum to see which gum blows the biggest bubble.

Back to Activity Calendar

5

Crafts: Bag Piñatas

Assist residents with making paper bag piñatas for the upcoming Piñata Hits activity on this Constitution Day in Mexico. Use brown paper lunch bags, tape, scissors, and colorful tissue paper for the craft.

One-on-One: Umbrella Cupcakes

For this Weatherperson's Day, recruit your resident to use a cupcake recipe to assemble umbrella cupcakes.

Exercise: Piñata Hits

Invite residents to get a workout as they try to hit the paper bag piñatas that were made earlier during the Crafts activity on this Constitution Day in Mexico.

Bedside: Mexican Word Scramble

Supply your resident with a Mexican scramble game to complete on this Constitution Day in Mexico.

Reminiscing: Library Visits

Reminisce with residents about their past library visits with their children on this Take Your Child to the Library Day. Afterwards, share a few library facts.

Sensory Stimulation: Marshmallow Olympic Skiers

Pass out marshmallows for residents to assemble tasty marshmallow skiers on this second day of the Winter Olympics using large marshmallows, red M&M's candies, white candy melts, pretzel sticks, Tootsie Rolls candies, licorice candy rope, a food-grade marker, and red Sixlets candies. To make the skiers, first break the pretzel sticks in half. Then use melted white candy melts to cover two pretzel sticks for the skis. Next, take your hands and break off a piece of the Tootsie Roll candy to mold into the skier's hands. Then begin using the melted white candy melts as glue to assemble the skier: 1) to glue the two marshmallows together, 2) to glue the bottom marshmallow to the top of the coated skis, 3) to attach the red M&M candy and licorice rope to the top marshmallow (the earmuffs), 4) to attach the hands to the side of the bottom marshmallow and to the uncoated pretzel sticks, and 5) to attach a red Sixlets candy to the top marshmallow as the nose. Finally, use a food grade marker to draw in eyes and a mouth for the skier.

Back to Activity Calendar

6

Crafts: Colorful Teapots

Assist residents with assembling teapot cards on this day that tea drinker Queen Elizabeth took the throne. Supply residents with colorful paper and the teapot template to create the teapot cards, which can be used as decoration for your upcoming tea parties.

One-on-One: Reagan Fun Facts

Share a few fun facts about President Reagan with your resident on this birthday of the former actor.

Exercise: Reggae Chair Dancing

Play a reggae chair dance exercise for residents to follow along on this birthday of Jamaican musician Bob Marley.

Bedside: Virtual Visit to Jamaica

Borrow a tablet to take your resident on a virtual visit to Jamaica on this birthday of Jamaican musician Bob Marley.

Reminiscing: Favorite Cereals as a Kid

Reminisce with residents about their favorite cereal to eat during their childhood on this birthday of cereal commercial voice artist Thurl Ravenscroft. Afterwards, pass around vintage cereal photos to spark a discussion. (Before printing the document from your browser, scroll down to the bottom of the webpage to ensure that all the photos have loaded.)

Sensory Stimulation: Frozen Yogurt Tasting

Celebrate this National Frozen Yogurt Day with residents by recruiting them to help you make a few batches of frozen yogurt to sample.

Back to Activity Calendar

7

Crafts: Pom-Pom Ballerinas

On this day that the ballet was introduced to the United States, invite residents to assemble pom-pom ballerinas. (If you do not have a pom-pom maker, as shown on the website, use a piece of cardboard to wrap yarn around. Then take a long piece of string to tie the wound yarn in the middle before cutting the end loops. Next, use the long piece of string to string the pom-pom through a painted oblong bead before stringing through a round wooden bead that has been painted as a ballerina's face. Finally, create a loop with the string at the top of the round bead before gluing on a ribbon as decoration.)

One-on-One: Flower Petal Ballerinas

Supply your resident with flower petals to assemble flower petal ballerinas on this day that ballet was introduced to the U.S. To assemble the ballerinas, first draw a ballerina onto cardboard. Then use flower petals to glue to the cardboard to create a tutu for the ballerina.

Exercise: Ballet Chair Moves

Lead residents in a few ballet chair moves on this day that ballet was introduced to the United States.

Bedside: Find It on a Map

Recognize this Independence Day in Grenada by borrowing a tablet to see if your resident can identify the location of states on a map.

Reminiscing: Who Was Your Neighborhood Gossip?

For this Wave All your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day, reminisce with residents about who in their neighborhood would spread gossip about the neighbors. Afterwards, invite residents to share their tips on how to be a good neighbor.

Sensory Stimulation: Gumdrop Guess

In recognition of this birthday of children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder, invite residents to participate in a fun children's guessing game of gumdrops. For the activity, supply blindfolded residents with a cup of gumdrops to see if they can identify the flavor of each.

Back to Activity Calendar

8

Crafts: Rose Rings

Pass out pipe cleaners for residents to make rose rings to wear on this day that Portland, Oregon, the "City of Roses," was incorporated.

One-on-One: Who Can Melt Their Ice Cube?

Challenge your resident to a fun winter game to see who is first at melting their ice cube. For the activity, place an ice cube on a plate to see who can get their ice cube to melt the fastest without touching the ice cube with their hands.

Exercise: Acting Out

In recognition of this birthday of actor James Dean, invite residents to get their exercise by acting out charades for others to guess. For the activity, provide a resident with an action to act out for others to try to guess.

Bedside: Strawberry Roses

Use plastic knives to teach your resident how to cut strawberry roses on this day that the "City of Roses" Portland, Oregon was incorporated.

Reminiscing: School Days

Recognize this day that the Boy Scouts of America was founded by reminiscing with residents about what they used to do after school in the 1950s. Pass around photos of what kids used to do after school to spark a discussion.

Sensory Stimulation: Rose Marshmallows

On this day that the "City of Roses" Portland, Oregon was incorporated, supply residents with edible-ink markers, jumbo marshmallows, and lollipop sticks to assemble their own rose marshmallows by drawing roses on the marshmallows.

Back to Activity Calendar

9

Crafts: Winter Bookmarks

Assist residents with assembling winter bookmarks on this Read in the Bathtub Day by making snow paper and turning the paper into bookmarks. Use paper, paint, a toothbrush, a hole punch, ribbon, and stickers for the craft.

One-on-One: Colorful Sailboat

On this first day of the Vancouver International Boat Show in Canada, assist your resident with making a colorful sailboat. Use a tissue box, construction paper, paint, paper, crayons, and a wooden dowel for the craft.

Exercise: Pitching Horseshoes

Set out your facility's indoor horseshoe game for residents to pitch horseshoes on this birthday of country and western singer Ernest Tubb.

Bedside: Pizza Facts

Share a few pizza facts with your resident on this National Pizza Pie Day before serving him pizza crackers to sample.

Reminiscing: What Did You Used to Eat for Breakfast?

Reminisce with residents about what they used to eat for breakfast on this National Bagels and Lox Day. Afterwards, share a list of the breakfasts of some of the world's most productive people.

Sensory Stimulation: Which Bubble Solution Works Best?

For this Read in the Bathtub Day, invite residents to test a variety of bubble solutions to see which one produces the best bubbles.

Back to Activity Calendar

10

Crafts: Colorful Newspaper Snowflakes

On this day that The New York Times slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print" first appeared on its front page, assist residents with using newspaper to assemble newspaper snowflakes.

One-on-One: Newspaper Snowman

Have fun with your resident as the two of you use newspapers to make newspaper snowmen in recognition of this day that The New York Times slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print" first appeared on its front page.

Exercise: Circle Tennis

Teach residents how to play the game Circle Tennis on this birthday of tennis player Bill Tilden. For the activity, seat residents in a circle with plastic tennis rackets to hit an inflated balloon (tennis ball) back and forth.

Bedside: Do You Know Your Chess Pieces?

Quiz your chess-loving resident about the moves of all the chess pieces on this day that a computer beat a human in a chess game.

Reminiscing: Great TV Phrases

Reminisce with residents about a few of the great television catchphrases on this birthday of entertainer Jimmy Durante, who was known for his sign-off, "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!"

Sensory Stimulation: Winter Tree

In recognition of this World Pulses Day, recognizing the edible seeds of plants, provide residents with twigs, paper, paint, cotton swabs, and glue to assemble winter trees.

Back to Activity Calendar

11

Crafts: Valentine Luminaries

On this birthday of American inventor Thomas Edison, assist residents with assembling valentine luminaries by cutting out heart shapes from paper bags and taping vellum paper to the opening. Place battery-operated tea lights in the bags for illumination.

One-on-One: Dancing Hearts

Use soda and candy conversation hearts to create a dancing hearts science experiment with your resident on this birthday of American inventor Thomas Edison.

Exercise: Launch Ball

In recognition of this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, use a cardboard box to create a launch ball game for residents to play to try to land balls into targets (e.g., baskets).

Bedside: Vatican City Virtual Tour

Borrow a tablet to take your resident on a virtual tour of Vatican City on this Independence Day of the city-state.

Reminiscing: Hollywood Heartthrobs of the 1940s

Reminisce with residents about their favorite Hollywood heartthrobs on this birthday of movie star Burt Reynolds. During the activity, pass around photos of Old Hollywood stars for residents to identify as you read a short bio of each entertainer (underneath each image).

Sensory Stimulation: World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Assist residents with baking a variety of chocolate chip cookies in hopes of discovering the World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie on this birthday of French chef Paul Bocuse.

Back to Activity Calendar

12

Crafts: Valentine Rocks

For this birthday of geologist James Dwight Dana, invite residents to paint rocks for Valentine's Day. Place the finished rocks throughout your facility as decoration.

One-on-One: Polishing Pennies

Invite your resident to assist you with polishing pennies on this birthday of President Abraham Lincoln.

Exercise: Upper-Body Workout

On this birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who competed in wrestling matches, help residents "beef-up" their upper body as you lead them in a fun upper-body workout.

Bedside: Guess the Horror Film

Read the description of classic horror movies for your resident to try to identify on this day that the horror film Dracula premiered.

Reminiscing: Vintage Towns

Reminisce with residents about their hometowns on this Oglethorpe Day, honoring England's General James Edward Oglethorpe who discovered the colony of Georgia in 1733. Afterwards, pass around photos of vintage towns to see if residents have ever visited them.

Sensory Stimulation: Ballerina Silhouettes

Provide residents with coffee filters and liquid watercolors to make ballerina silhouettes on this birthday of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Use a ballerina silhouette for the craft. (Another silhouette)

Back to Activity Calendar

13

Crafts: Tissue Paper Pom-Poms

Assist residents with assembling tissue paper pom-poms to use to cheer on their team in today's Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California.

One-on-One: Football Charades

Invite your resident to play a game of Football Charades on this day of Super Bowl LVI.

Exercise: Football Ring Toss

Stand up a football for residents to play a game of Football Ring Toss, in which residents toss rings around one end of the football, on this Super Bowl Sunday.

Bedside: Wedding Photos

In recognition of this World Marriage Day, borrow a tablet to show your resident a few vintage photos of Hollywood weddings. (Because goodhousekeeping.com limits access to their site to a few times each month, consider opening the link inside of an incognito window of your browser.)

Reminiscing: Let's Play the Name Game

On this Get a Different Name Day, reminisce with residents about whether they were named after others. Afterwards, play the classic Name Game song for residents to sing along.

Sensory Stimulation: Chocolate Tasting

For this Valentine's Eve, pass out chocolate candy from a candy box for residents to sample. Before having residents bite into the candy, ask them to guess the filling.

Back to Activity Calendar

14

Crafts: Chocolate Kiss Flowers

On this Valentine's Day, invite residents to use Hershey's Kisses to assemble chocolate Kiss flowers. Supply residents with tissue paper, green floral tape, Hershey's Kisses, faux leaves, wooden dowels, and glue.

One-on-One: Heart Mugs

Show your resident how to use an inexpensive white mug, rubbing alcohol and paint to make a heart mug that she can give as a gift on this Valentine's Day.

Exercise: Valentine Hershey's Hunt

Host a fun candy hunt for residents on this Valentine's Day. For the activity, hide large lollipops or candy bars throughout your facility for residents to find and enjoy.

Bedside: Canvas Valentines

Teach your resident how to cut paper flowers to affix to canvas to make flower canvas art for her room on this Valentine's Day.

Reminiscing: Valentine Gifts

In recognition of this Valentine's Day, reminisce with residents about their favorite Valentine's Day gifts of the past. During the activity, pass out tasty sugar conversation cookies for residents to sample.

Sensory Stimulation: Candy Bingo

Invite residents to play a game of Candy Bingo on this Valentine's Day by passing out Hershey's Kisses for residents to use as their bingo markers.

Back to Activity Calendar

15

Crafts: Twig Snowflakes

Supply residents with twigs, glue, white paint, and white tissue paper to make twig snowflakes to decorate for the season.

One-on-One: Gumdrop Cookies

Recruit your resident to help you bake a batch of gumdrop cookies on this National Gumdrop Day.

Exercise: Table Tennis

In celebration of this day of the Lantern Festival in China, invite residents to play the popular Chinese game of table tennis. To play in your Activity Room, place two square tables together, and have residents use ping pong paddles to hit ping pong balls back and forth on the tables.

Bedside: Braided Clay Bracelets

Show your resident how to braid a clay bracelet on this birthday of American jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany.

Reminiscing: Favorite Jewelry

Reminisce with residents about their favorite pieces of jewelry on this birthday of American jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany. Afterwards, pass around photos of popular types of necklaces to educate them about current necklace trends.

Sensory Stimulation: Washi Tape Wooden Bracelets

Invite residents to make Washi tape wooden bracelets on this birthday of jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany. Before making the bracelets, shape jumbo sticks using a mug and a glass of water. During the activity, assist residents with covering the shaped craft sticks with colorful Washi tape. Then use an awl to create holes at each end of the craft stick for residents to thread twine through.

Back to Activity Calendar

16

Crafts: Snowman Tins

Recruit residents to help you paint empty aluminum cans to look like snowmen for the upcoming Snowman Bowling activity on this day of the Full Snow Moon. Beforehand paint the cans white so that residents can decorate the white cans as snowmen using markers and paint.

One-on-One: Snowman Bounce

See how many snowmen (ping pong balls) your resident can bounce into a basket on this day of the Full Snow Moon. Beforehand use markers to draw snowman faces on the balls.

Exercise: Snowman Bowling

On this day of the Full Snow Moon, set out the snowman tin cans that were made earlier during the Crafts activity for a fun Snowman Bowling game, in which residents try to knock down the cans with a bowling ball.

Bedside: Winter Wall Decor

Help your resident decorate his wall for the season by covering empty boxes with patterned contact paper and then hanging on the wall.

Reminiscing: Remembering Edgar Bergen

Reminisce with residents about ventriloquist Edgar Bergen on this day that the entertainer was born. Ask residents to recall what they remember about Bergen before sharing a few fun facts about the man and his puppets.

Sensory Stimulation: Snowman Hot Cocoa Spoons

Assist residents with making snowman hot cocoa spoons on this day of the Full Snow Moon using plastic spoons, milk chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, black food coloring, and colorful sprinkles.

Back to Activity Calendar

17

Crafts: Tissue Paper Butterflies

Show residents how to make tissue paper butterflies on this day that the opera Madama Butterfly was performed for the first time in Milan, Italy.

One-on-One: Guatemalan Quetzal

On this day that the League of Latin American Citizens was founded, invite your resident to help you make a replica of the Guatemalan bird, the quetzal, using red and green tissue paper, yellow craft foam, toilet paper tube, googly eyes, a wooden dowel, glue, tape, and twine.

Exercise: Olympic Basket Bounce

For this birthday of Olympic gold swimmer Buster Crabbe, invite residents to play an Olympic Basket game. For the game, seat residents in a circle around a basket and have each resident try to bounce five ping pong balls to see how many they can land in the basket. If you have enough ping pong balls, have multiple residents try at the same time, making sure to use colorful Washi tape to mark each resident's balls so that you'll know whose balls made it into the basket. Award a point for each ball that lands in the basket. After everyone has played, pass out gold, silver, and bronze-wrapped candy as rewards.

Bedside: Most Beautiful Pools

Borrow a tablet to show your resident a few beautiful pool photos on this birthday of Olympic gold swimmer Buster Crabbe.

Reminiscing: PTA Meetings

Reminisce with residents on this National PTA Founders' Day about the past parent-teacher meetings they remember having with their children's teachers. Afterwards, share a list of the top things we should never say to our children's teachers, and ask residents whether they agree.

Sensory Stimulation: Butterfly Cards

Invite residents to assemble pretty painted butterfly cards in recognition of this day that the opera Madama Butterfly was performed for the first time in Milan, Italy. To make the cards, first draw a butterfly on white cardstock before cutting it out. Then have residents paint the butterflies and decorate them with black markers.

Back to Activity Calendar

18

Crafts: Paper Clip Love Birds

Supply residents with colorful paper and paper clips to assemble paper clip love birds on this first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

One-on-One: Tissue Paper Stained Glass

Recruit your resident to make a tissue paper version of stained glass art on this birthday of stain glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. To make the stained glass, first cut up colorful pieces of tissue paper. Then brush liquid starch over a piece of wax paper before adding the colorful tissue paper with more liquid starch. Once the paper dries, hang the artwork in the window.

Exercise: Art Walk

Take your residents on a walk throughout your facility as you show them the pieces of art that are found along the walls on this birthday of museum philanthropist George Peabody. (If your facility has limited pieces of artwork, consider having residents create their own artwork on canvas that you can showcase in one of your facility's hallways.)

Bedside: Famous Works of Art

Borrow a tablet to share a few famous works of art with your resident on this birthday of museum philanthropist George Peabody.

Reminiscing: Fashion Trends of Each Decade

Reminisce with residents about their favorite fashion trends on this birthday of John Hughes, the American film director of the 1980s "Brat Pack" films featuring preppy high schoolers. Afterwards, pass around photos of popular trends of each decade.

Sensory Stimulation: Stained Glass Sugar Cookies

Assist residents with baking stained glass sugar cookies on this birthday of stained glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Use fruit-flavored hard candies to give the stained glass look to the cookies.

Back to Activity Calendar

19

Crafts: Snowman Candy Bar Wrappers

Recognize this National Chocolate Mint Day with residents by helping them assemble snowman candy bar wrappers. To make the snowmen, wrap candy bars with the printable wrappers before tying fabric around the middle for a scarf. (Instructions on making the hat – scroll down to "How To Make No Sew Fleece Candy Bar Wrapper Hat")

One-on-One: Drawing Planets

Show your resident how to draw planets on this birthday of astronomer Nicolas Copernicus. (Printable)

Exercise: Animal Charades

Play a fun game of animal charades with residents, in which they stand up and act out an animal for others to guess on this World Pangolin Day, honoring the endangered scaly anteater.

Bedside: 1950s Skating Documentary

On this Skate Shop Day, borrow a tablet to show your resident a vintage documentary about skating from the 1950s.

Reminiscing: Favorite Zoo Animals

Reminisce with residents about their favorite zoo animals on this World Pangolin Day. Afterwards, share a few secrets of zoos with residents.

Sensory Stimulation: Clay Ducks

Teach residents how to mold clay ducks using playdough in recognition of this National Airboat Day.

Back to Activity Calendar

20

Crafts: Candy Race Cars

For this day of the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida, assist residents with assembling candy race cars using cookies and candies.

One-on-One: Engineering a Marble Course

Recruit your resident to assist you with creating a marble course on this first day of National Engineers Week.

Exercise: Hula Hoop Basketball

On this day of the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, play a fun game of Hula Hoop Basketball with residents. To play, first construct a hoop out of cardboard and hang from the ceiling. Then during the activity, encourage residents to hit balloons back and forth through the hoop.

Bedside: National Parks

In recognition of this birthday of Yosemite National Park photographer Ansel Adams, borrow a tablet to share photos of national parks with your resident.

Reminiscing: Top Pets to Own

Reminisce with residents about their past pets on this National Love Your Pet Day. Then ask them to brainstorm the best pets for kids.

Sensory Stimulation: Goldfish Cracker Art

Invite residents to create selfies on paper using colored goldfish crackers on this National Love Your Pet Day.

Back to Activity Calendar

21

Crafts: Eagle Cookies

Supply residents with chocolate chips, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, cashews, vanilla frosting, and oval-shaped cookies to assemble patriotic eagle cookies on this Presidents' Day.

One-on-One: Making Sticky Buns

Recruit your resident to help you bake a batch of sticky buns on this National Sticky Bun Day.

Exercise: College Hacky Sack

Take a few small balloons to play the popular college game of Hacky Sack on this birthday of educator Alice Freeman Palmer.

Bedside: Coin Toss Tally Game

Host a fun coin toss game with your resident on this Presidents' Day. (Printable)

Reminiscing: Coordinated First Families

Reminisce with residents about their favorite First Families on this Presidents' Day. Afterwards, pass around photos of First Couples who have coordinated their fashions.

Sensory Stimulation: Marshmallow Flags

Use water, food grade paintbrushes, and red and blue sanding sugar with residents to make marshmallow flags on this Presidents' Day.

Back to Activity Calendar

22

Crafts: Felt Ball Coasters

In celebration of this day that the five and dime store Woolworth's opened its first chain store in Utica, New York, invite residents to assemble an easy project of making felt ball coasters by gluing mini felt balls to cork coasters.

One-on-One: Newspaper Short Story

Recognize this birthday of newspaper editor Francis Pharcellus Church by persuading your resident to help you create a short story using pictures from a local newspaper. Simply cut several pictures from the newspaper and then tell a story that includes all the pictures.

Exercise: Beach Volleyball

Set up your facility's volleyball net in your Activity Room for a fun game of Beach Volleyball for residents on this day that the United States acquired Florida from Spain. Seat residents on either side of the net and have each side try to hit the beach ball to the other side of the net.

Bedside: Reading Up on Congress

In recognition of this birthday of former Senator Ted Kennedy, borrow a tablet to help your resident read up on Congress.

Reminiscing: Remembering Woolworth's

On this anniversary of Woolworth's opening its first chain store in New York, reminisce with residents about what they remember about the five and dime store. Afterwards, share a few surprising things about the store chain. (More fun facts)

Sensory Stimulation: Mashed Veggies

For this National Cook a Sweet Potato Day, supply blindfolded residents with small cups of mashed veggies, like mashed cauliflower, carrots, beets, potatoes, and butternut squash, to see if they can identify the vegetable by taste.

Back to Activity Calendar

23

Crafts: Ceramic Tile Art

Assist residents with making ceramic tile art on this National Tile Day. Use ceramic tiles, Sharpie markers, rubbing alcohol, and eye droppers for the craft.

One-on-One: Banana Bread

Recruit your resident to help you bake a batch of banana bread on this National Banana Bread Day.

Exercise: Working the Arms

Invite residents to work their arm muscles while using paper tiles on this National Tile Day. Before the activity, make paper tiles for residents to use. Then during the activity, pair residents against one another to throw their tile on the floor in hopes of flipping the other's tile. (How to play)

Bedside: Secrets of Ski Instructors

Share a few secrets of ski instructors with your resident on this first day of the American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Race/Birkie Week in Wisconsin.

Reminiscing: Homemade Baked Goods

Reminisce with residents about their favorite baked goods to make at home on this National Banana Bread Day.

Sensory Stimulation: Sweet Bread Tasting

In recognition of this National Banana Bread Day, coordinate with Dining Services to provide a variety of sweet breads for residents to sample.

Back to Activity Calendar

24

Crafts: Mexican Flowers

Assist residents with using colorful tissue paper to assemble tissue paper flowers on this Flag Day in Mexico.

One-on-One: Shabbat Jars

Recognize this day that Hadassah, a volunteer organization promoting Jewish education, healthcare, and vocational training, was founded, by inviting your resident to assist you with making Shabbat jars for your weekly Shabbat service for your Jewish residents. Use glass jars and glass markers for the project.

Exercise: Mexican Hat Dance

Encourage residents to participate in the senior version of the Mexican Hat Dance on this Flag Day in Mexico. To alter the dance for your residents, set out chairs in a large circle, where residents can sit when they do the foot work. If your residents are mobile, then have them stand up and move clockwise around the circle and then counter-clockwise around the circle before sitting back down in the chairs to do the foot work. (Mexican Hat Dance music)

Bedside: Mini Labyrinth

For this birthday of mythologist Wilhelm Grimm, assist your resident with making a variation of the labyrinth, a popular activity during mythological times. Use a box top, paper, tacky glue, scissors, and straws to create a box maze that your resident can navigate on his own.

Reminiscing: 1960s Snacks

Reminisce with residents about their favorite snacks from the 1960s on this National Tortilla Chip Day. Afterwards, pass around photos of popular snacks of the 1960s to spark a few memories.

Sensory Stimulation: Blind Contour Drawings

On this birthday of illustrator Winslow Homer, show residents how to make blind contour drawings (drawing without looking at the picture). For the activity, supply each resident with paper and a black marker. Then have them look at a person or picture of someone and draw their face without looking at their paper and without taking their marker off the paper. Once the drawing is complete, supply residents with watercolors to fill in the faces. (If doing the blind contouring would be too difficult for your residents, then recruit a few staff members and volunteers to create the blind contours of each other. Then during the activity, have residents paint in the faces with the watercolors.)

Back to Activity Calendar

25

Crafts: Masquerade Masks

Assist residents with assembling masquerade masks on this first day of Carnival Season. Use cardstock, scissors, glue, feathers, sequins, and the Mardi Gras mask templates for the craft.

One-on-One: Lasso Tricks

Teach your resident a few lasso tricks on this birthday of rodeo cowgirl "Texas Rose" Bascom.

Exercise: Partner Kicks

On this first day of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the country known for soccer, invite residents to work on their soccer kicking skills. For the activity, divide residents into pairs and have each sit in a chair and kick a ball back and forth without letting the ball get out of their legs' reach.

Bedside: Trip to Rio!

Borrow a tablet to take your resident on a virtual tour of Rio de Janeiro on this first day of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Reminiscing: Name the Soup

Reminisce with residents about their favorite soups on this National Clam Chowder Day. Afterwards, share a list of the most popular soups.

Sensory Stimulation: Chocolate Peanut Clusters

For this National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day, assist residents with making a batch of chocolate peanut clusters.

Back to Activity Calendar

26

Crafts: Yarn Names

In recognition of this day that the Grand Canyon and Grand Teton National Parks were established, supply residents with twigs and glue to create the letters of their names that can be wrapped with colorful yarn.

One-on-One: Do You Remember Them?

Show your resident a few photos of entertainers to identify on this birthday of entertainer Tony Randall.

Exercise: Ring Around the Bottle

Celebrate this Open That Bottle Night, a night to encourage people to drink the bottle of wine that they have been saving, with residents by having them play the game Ring Around the Bottle, in which they toss rings around wine bottles.

Bedside: For Pete's Sake

On this For Pete's Sake Day, share a bit of the saying's history. Afterwards, ask your resident what word or phrase he says a lot.

Reminiscing: Going to the Circus

Reminisce with residents about their past trips to the circus on this World Sword Swallowers Day. Afterwards, read off a list of circus acts for residents to tell you what each entails.

Sensory Stimulation: Nature Paintbrushes

Provide residents with nature paintbrushes on this day that both the Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Teton National Park were established so that residents can paint a winter scene on paper.

Back to Activity Calendar

27

Crafts: Strawberry Art

Assist residents with making strawberry art on this National Strawberry Day. For the art, supply residents with cut strawberries (for the flower petals), bananas (for the flower centers), kiwis (for the flower leaves), lemons (for the sun), corn flakes (for the ground), and strips of celery (for the flower stems).

One-on-One: Soft Polar Bear Ornaments

Use white fake fur fabric to help your resident assemble soft polar bear ornaments on this International Polar Bear Day. Use felt, craft glue, cording, and a polar bear template for the craft.

Exercise: Pool Noodle Putts

On this birthday of golfer Gene Sarazen, pass out pool noodles for residents to make a few pool noodle putts. To play, lay a paper lunch bag on its side to be the target, and have residents use pool noodles to try to put ping pong balls into the bag.

Bedside: Listening to Marian

For this birthday of singer Marian Anderson, borrow a table to play Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial for your resident to hear.

Reminiscing: Favorite Fruits

Recognize this National Strawberry Day by reminiscing with residents about their favorite fruits. Serve valentine strawberries for residents to sample as you ask them if they can guess the top fruits.

Sensory Stimulation: Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes

Invite residents to help you make polar bear paw cupcakes on this International Polar Bear Day using coconut flakes, York Peppermint Patties, dark chocolate covered raisins, vanilla frosting, and cupcakes.

Back to Activity Calendar

28

Crafts: Fairy Clay House Lucky Charms

Assist residents with making fairy clay house lucky charms on this National Tooth Fairy Day using air-dry clay and paint.

One-on-One: Painting Flowers

Teach your resident how to paint watercolor flowers on this Floral Design Day.

Exercise: Balance Exercises

In recognition of this birthday of acrobat Charles Blondin, lead residents in a few balance exercises.

Bedside: Tooth Fairy Pouches

Invite your resident to help you make tooth fairy pouches for her grandchildren on this National Tooth Fairy Day. (Pattern)

Reminiscing: Facts About the Tooth Fairy

Reminisce with residents on this National Tooth Fairy Day about their stories of being the tooth fairy for their children. Afterwards, share a few fun facts about the tooth fairy.

Sensory Stimulation: Icelandic Buns

Recognize this Bun Day in Iceland by inviting residents to assist you with making Icelandic buns.

Back to Activity Calendar