Thanksgiving Activity For Senior Care Residents

Here is A Thanksgiving Activity For You To Try
Creating meaningful and enjoyable activities during the holiday season is a wonderful way to engage residents and bring out their creativity. One activity that Tina Ogden of Golden Year Activities shared with us at Synkwise, is making personalized placemats for Thanksgiving. This craft not only allows residents to express their creativity but also encourages meaningful conversations and reflection.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating these Thanksgiving placemats with your residents:

What You’ll Need:

• Large pieces of construction paper (or other sturdy paper for the placemat base)
• Scissors
• Stickers
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Decorative cutouts (holiday shapes, fall leaves, turkeys, etc.)
• Coloring sheets
• Wax paper
• An iron (for the final step)

Instructions:

1. Set the Stage
   Start by gathering residents together and explaining the activity. Let them know they’ll be creating personalized placemats to celebrate Thanksgiving. This can be a wonderful opportunity to talk about the holiday, share stories, or discuss what Thanksgiving means to them.
   
2. Write Gratitude Notes
   Provide each resident with a piece of paper to write down what they are thankful for. Encourage them to share their thoughts if they’re comfortable. This step can act as a great icebreaker and conversation starter, sparking meaningful exchanges among the group.
   
3. Get Creative
   Give each resident a large piece of construction paper as their placemat base. Hand out the materials like stickers, coloring sheets, cutouts, and markers. Let them decorate their placemats however they like—there’s no wrong way to do it! Encourage residents to personalize their designs to reflect their personalities or memories.
   
4. Assemble the Placemat
   Once the decorating is complete, you’ll move to the final step: laminating the placemats. Lay one piece of wax paper on top of the placemat and another on the bottom, completely covering both sides. Carefully iron over the wax paper on low heat to seal the placemat and make it durable.
   
5. Enjoy the Finished Product
   Once cooled, the placemats are ready to use! They’re not only festive and functional but also a great keepsake that residents can show off to their families or use year-round.
   
   Here are some examples:
   

Why This Activity Works

This placemat-making activity offers more than just a creative outlet—it fosters community, reflection, and engagement. By sharing what they’re thankful for, residents can connect with one another and celebrate the holiday spirit. Plus, the hands-on nature of the craft is ideal for residents of varying abilities, making it an inclusive and meaningful way to spend time together.

Give it a try this holiday season, and let us know how it goes!

Need More Activity Ideas?

Looking for more engaging activities to brighten your residents’ days? Or maybe you’d like a dedicated activities coordinator to bring creativity and connection to your home or facility?

Reach out to Tina Ogden at Golden Year Activities for tailored ideas and support.

? Email: Tina@goldenyearactivities.com
? Call: 503-730-7367

Let’s make every day a little more joyful and meaningful