Fourth of July Idea Round-Up!

Can you believe it's already JULY?!?! Where is the summer going? Today, rather than post a new activity, I thought I'd highlight some of our favorite Fourth of July activities from past years! Be sure to check them out and comment with your favorites as well!

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I remember a few years ago working on a particular holiday and the patients seemed to be frustrated and disappointed that they couldn't be home with their families and friends celebrating. I've discovered that one of the best ways to deal with these types of situations was to get my patients focused on something else, someone else. We've made lots of different kinds of cards, but these Military Postcards would be perfect for this holiday weekend! There are several different places you could send them once they are complete, check with your local community resources for places in your area!

One of my absolute favorite activities for any holiday is Jeopardy! My patients also love that Jeopardy usually involves candy as a prize. ;) So, here's a link to our Fourth of July Jeopardy game. This usually works with any age group, but may be better for higher functioning individuals. The questions can also be adapted based on the particular population you are working with.

If you're in the mood for an art therapy project, be sure to check out our Toothpick Fireworks activity! This is a relatively easy activity that can be done with just about any population. I'm even thinking of doing this art activity with my cute niece and nephews this weekend! You can stick to the red, white, and blue colors or make the fireworks colorful.

Finally, if you wanna just have a party, there's always Fourth of July Minute to Win It games! The post features games such as What a Racket, Wet Balloon, and Wrap Them Up! Alternatively, you could present patients with a few supplies and have them create their own games for the rest of the group to play.

What are some of YOUR favorite Fourth of July Activities? Be sure to share below!

Let's Make a Leisure List!

From DONICA

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Leisure Lists

Size of Group: 4-12

Equipment: Pencil, paper, and leisure categories

FOCUS AREA: Benefits of Leisure

Description: Break the group into 2 to 3 groups. Begin discussion on favorite activities. On a large sheet of paper or white board, list the participant's favorite activities. Then, beside each person's favorite activity, list the + benefits they obtain from their preferred leisure.

Following discussion, begin the game of Leisure Lists. Break the group into 2 or 3 groups. Give the groups one minute to list as many Winter Activities on their sheet of paper. After one minute, turn the paper over and have the groups list as many "things found on a picnic."

This game is reminiscent of "Scattegories." After the 1st round, have the group with the most items listed read their list. If the other team(s) have the same item on their list, that item is crossed off on everyone's list. If no one else has an item (e.g., snow boarding), then the team gets one point. After team one has finished reading their list, the next team(s) read their list. The team with the most listed items wins the round.

You can continue with additional round with different leisure topics (things related to football, names of dances, things people collect).

Complete the activity with feedback from participants on what choices they might make when feeling depressed, bored, etc. and tie it in with the benefits they listed earlier.

EXPECTED OUTCOME: Participants will better understand how engagement in preferred activities can positively affect their feelings, moods, and thoughts.

SUMMER TIP for Parents: Use this to help your kids think of fun activities to do over summer break! Then create a master list and see how many of the activities you can do before school starts again! 

Senior Adult Prom

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submitted here by Melinda Dykes of Lincoln Residential Center, Brookhaven, MS on Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Size: large group

Equipment: decorations, finger food, music, a specific place to take pictures

Objective: Socialization

Description: Decorate as you would for a school prom. Invite area high school students to come wearing their prom attire. Dress clients in nice clothing (e.g. old prom or wedding dresses collected from staff). Decorate an area for taking pictures. Play music appropriate for the age group. Have a great time!

Spa Day

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submitted here by Celeste K. T. Brooks of Washington Center for Aging Services on November 21, 2000

Size: Varies

Equipment: Tables(round is best), Aroma therapy products (bath gels, lotions,all should be allergy-free) , Manicure items, Hair products, finger bowls, sprays, Large container of hot water, small containers of ice water, Video tapes,TV:VCR set up, Stereo system,CD's, Audio tapes, LOTS OF STAFF: manicurists, cosmetologists, hairstylists, massage therapist, reflexologist or a lot of volunteers who can serve in these functions.

Objective:

To relax the residents
To increase socialization
To increase level of self esteem
To provide a variety of sensory stimulation
To increase levels of participation
To increase residents' quality of life
To have fun

Description: Have the room filled with relaxing sights, music and scents before the residents arrive. Have at least four stations with different activities (manicures, facials, hair styles, hand massages, etc.). Invite your residents in. Make sure that you have presented each resident with each station (or with as many as they will tolerate). Introduce the residents sitting at the same table to each other. (You should hear some of the conversations that come up, it's like sitting in the beauty parlor) Provide the services! This activity usually takes 2-3 hours. Make sure that you keep the music playing and the scents flowing. Our male residents enjoy it as much as the females. We purchase products especially for the men and they like to sit and watch their girl friends get dolled up!. We implement this event in a large group setting maybe three times a year. We have smaller versions of SPA DAY on the units in the solariums or as individual sessions in the resident's rooms. One of our residents always comes to this event in her wheelchair (she is blind and very hard of hearing). However, after she has received "the works" she struts not walks to her unit guided by her ANA. Many of our volunteers are staff members from other departments, who give maybe 20 minutes of their time to help. However, make sure that all of your stations are manned by people who can remain there throughout the entire activity.

Inside Snowball Fight

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submitted here by Becky Cates of Timberlake Healthcare, Farmerville LA on December 15, 2009

Size of Group: small to large 

Equipment: large marshmallows, bags to hold them. Scarves, hats and gloves 

Objective: Lots of laughter and fun 

Description: We have a annual snowball fight every December. The staff and residents are involved and gives them time to mingle with one another. Fill bags with large marshmallows and hand out to residents and staff members. Have everyone wear scarves, hats and gloves. Anyone can start the game but be ready to fire back when the first snowball is thrown. You will find that the laughter can be heard down every hall in the facility. After the snowball fight serve hot chocolate with peppermint sticks to stir.

Grandparent's Day Cards

Grandparent's Day this year is Sunday, September 8.  One of our Sunday Service projects includes patients making cards to give to their own grandparents or to donate to a local nursing home.

Materials:
Crayons/Markers/etc.
Construction Paper
Glue
Grandparent's Day themed clip-art

Directions:
Have patients make several Grandparent's Day cards to give away.  Discuss the importance of service and how service can affect mental health.  Share quotes about service and ask patients to share examples from their lives.

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Beach Party

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submitted here by Melinda Dykes of Lincoln Residential Center, Brookhaven, MS on Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Size: Large group

Equipment: beach balls, beach towels, sand pails, food,lemonade, Beach Boys music, volleyball, sunglasses, frisbees

Objective: Socialization

Description: Decorate for a beach theme. Dance to Beach Boys and other "fun in the sun" music. Play volleyball and frisbee. Give sunglasses to all who participate. And, last but not least, eat plenty of snacks and drink plenty of lemonade!

Chocolate Party

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submitted here by Jennifer Piatt of Do-It Leisure

Size of Group: Any amount

Equipment: Various forms of chocolate, including different boxes and containers that chocolate comes in. You can also find information about the history of Chocolate, chocolate word searches, and trivia.

Description: Have everyone sit in a circle, or around a table. You can structure the party anyway you want. You can talk about different chocolate (dark, milk, etc) as well as different forms it can take. You may even want to get the clients to cook a chocolate treat. We usually read the history of chocolate, tell chocolate jokes, and get everyone to describe their favorite type of chocolate. After you describe s type of chocolate, make sure you have enough samples for everyone. This group is always a hit around valentines day. Everyone comes, talks laughs, and has a great time. Don't forget to have milk for the beverage!

Expected outcome: To increase group discussion, to reminisce, and focus on sensory stimulation