Activity Closet - Dementia Friendly
Crafts:
Paint with Water - Watch pictures appear as you paint water over the blank sheets. Chat about the pictures. (Can be used over and over as pictures disappear in about 20 minutes.)
Supervise activity as needed
Community Service Project: Capes for Kids
For those with early-middle stage dementia
Invite your residents, staff, family members, and friends to participate in this very special community service project. Capes for Kids is a program (under the Enchanted Makeovers organization which is headquartered in Michigan) that spreads love and support to children living in shelters. The idea behind it is a simple one: children feel empowered when they put on a cape, and they grasp the message that a superhero resides inside of them!
Participating in this project can provide a true sense of self value knowing you
are helping a child, and it is an extremely uplifting and rewarding group experience.
Your participants will be provided with a cape to decorate with fabric markers and stencils.
Your kit will provide:
4 Vinyl Capes to decorate
2 Boxes of Fabric Markers (10 per box)
4 Stencils to help with your design (although free-hand drawing and writing is encouraged)
1 Color-print flyer
1 Mailer to send the capes to the Capes for Kids / Enchanted Makeovers Program
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
Manufacturer’s Warning (fabric markers): Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts which may cause a choking hazard if swallowed.
Paint by Number - 2 sets - Follow the accompanying number guide or choose / create your own colors to paint a lovely picture on the canvas. Includes nine vibrant colored paints, a printed canvas, paintbrush, guide, and hanging tab.
Note: There is a small, clear hanging tag on the back of the kit.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
Games:
OuiSi - There are no right or wrong answers in this unique game that includes 7 ways to play and think creatively. The pictures on the cards can be anything you think they might be.
One version: Connect cards in rows and columns anyway you think they match (colors, shapes, images, or themes). Try solo or with a group.
There are no right or wrong answers in this unique and creative game that includes 7 ways to play and think creatively. Supervise activity as needed
Supervise activity as needed.
Slapzi - Be the first player to match the bold-colored picture cards to the clue cards. Easily modifiable for various levels of play.
Supervise activity as needed.
Chipzi -
For early stage dementia
Be the first player (or team) to find and collect 7 chips of one category. For example: same color, same number, descending order, etc. Everyone plays at the same time.
Play in a fast-paced, competition-style version, or a slow paced non-competitive version. Great for intergenerational enjoyment.
For up to 7 individual players or teams.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
Manufacturer’s Warning: Choking hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.
The Rank Game - Players guess in order (most to least favorite) the preferred choice of the “Ranker” from a chosen topic card. Great as an ice-breaker . . . or to see how well you really know someone!
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
Manufacturer’s Warning: Choking hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.
Assistex Photographic Matching Game -
Match themed photos to 5 different boards created for various levels of ability. Includes conversation prompts and fun facts.
Supervise activity.
Manufacturer’s Warning: Choking hazard-Small Parts Not for Children Under 3 years
Assistex Photo Picture Book - 2 books -
These colorful picture books include various relatable themes. Use the pictures to encourage conversation and reminiscing.Some include a simple explanation of the picture at the bottom of the page written in large bold print, however in general reading is not requiredCan be used for individual viewing, in a group setting, or shared together one-on-one.Supervise activity as needed.
Supervise activity.
Ho-dee-ay Matching Car Show Cards -
Beautiful photo cards that promote conversation and reminiscing (“Have you ever been to a car show?” “What is your favorite car?” ‘When did you learn to drive?”)
Includes 20+ sets of colorful photo cards and an insert with suggested activities. One side of the card has a picture and the other side has a description of the picture in large print
Match, stack, sort, or organize the colorful photo cards, or chat and reminisce about your favorite cars
Supervise activity as needed.
Match the Photos - Keeping Busy
Use the photo cards to promote conversation, or enjoy a game of matching photos to the board.
Includes 18 photo cards, 3 laminated boards, 1 Fun Facts discussion guide, and 1 instruction sheet. (The discussion guide includes fun facts about the pictures included in the set to help encourage conversation.)
Supervise activity as needed.
All About Us -
For those with early-middle stage dementia
With 66 prompt cards, this game encourages players to explore and share personal stories of different time periods of their life.
A great way to spark conversation, reminiscing, and sharing stories.
Enjoy as a group or independently.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).Manufacturer’s Warning: Small parts
Play American Trivia - Be the first player / team to correctly answer 2 questions in each of the 5 categories: geography, history, pop culture, sports, and general.
Great for promoting conversation, fun competition or cooperative enjoyment, and intergenerational engagement!
Easy-to-learn, and modify as needed.
For 2 or more players or teams.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
Chronology - Be the first player to build a timeline of historical events with 10 cards to win!! Learn and chat about fun facts along the way.
Supervise activity as needed.
Rock Paper Scissors - The Card Game - A card game version of the classic Rock Paper Scissors game with some extra twists!
Supervise activity as needed.
Tile Tango - Players match their tiles to a pattern shown on a “match card”. Three different levels of play including: match colors only, patterns only, or both. Can enjoy solo or competition style
Supervise activity as needed.
Flipingo - A cross between a matching game and bingo! Players turn over picture cards in their game grid when those pictures match a card flipped from a deck. The first player to complete the pre-determined pattern wins that round.
Supervise activity as needed
American Beach Trivia - Learn fun facts as you guess answers to the questions or statements on the cards. Great for chatting and reminiscing. Play solo, in small groups, or on teams.
Supervise activity as needed.
Kardlet 1960s Rewind - Take a nostalgic trip to the 1960s with this glossy coated 32-page booklet. Chat and reminisce about fun facts of the decade.
Supervise activity as needed.
Word Teasers: Old Wives Tales -
A unique and interesting game that promotes conversation. Read the statement on the card and discuss what the old wives’ tale might be, and if you think it is accurate.
Supervise activity as needed.
Expressions Card Game - A unique and fun way to encourage conversation
Includes 2 sets of color-coded cards: Each blue card comes with a 3 word expression with the last word missing. Each green card has a common phrase with a missing word. Players / teams try to fill in the missing word.
Instructions include variations on how to play for an enjoyable time socializing and chatting.
For small or large groups.
Supervise activity as needed
Audubon American Robin with Sound - A charming multi-sensory soother. Stroke this soft Robin and press its center to hear a lovely bird call provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Supervise use- small battery inside.
Manufacturer;s Warning: Choking hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years,
Puzzles:
GoodDay Puzzles 16-piece puzzle - Chat and reminisce about the puzzle picture as you piece it together.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard)
Quokka 60-piece Puzzle - This beautiful puzzle includes conversation prompt cards. Large, thick, and durable pieces for easier handling.
Supervise activity as needed (small parts can be a choking hazard).
6-in-1 Wooden Block Puzzle
For those with middle - later stage dementia
Includes sixteen 6-sided block pieces, 1 wooden base, 6 image cards, and instructions which include conversation prompts. Note: the edges of each puzzle have a colored border (each puzzle is a different color).
Includes 4 different levels of difficulty (Level 1=easiest to Level 4= most difficult) (see guide included in puzzle box for details of each level)
Complete the puzzle, and use the conversation guide in the instructions to chat about the puzzle picture ( or make up your own prompts). You can also stack, line or, or sort cubes by colors on the puzzles or the image cards
Manufacturer’s Warning: Choking Hazard- Small parts not for children under 3 years of age, or individual who have a tendency to place inedible objects in their mouth.
