No doubt this is something grandma and grandpa have been waiting for—yet another reason to gather the entire family ‘round the dinner table again! Thanksgiving is an opportunity to create cherished memories and strengthen the bonds between generations.
To make the most of this festive occasion—and to ensure it doesn’t get overshadowed by the upcoming Christmas traditions—here are some thoughtful, engaging activities that will make Thanksgiving even more memorable for your senior family members.
Creative Thanksgiving Crafts for Seniors
1. DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces and Decorations
Thanksgiving is the perfect time of the year for decorating homes and setting the scene for a special holiday celebration. When it comes to Thanksgiving home decor, there are countless ways to make your space feel festive.
It’s important to value the input of your parents or senior relatives in the decorating process. Rather than dismissing their ideas, take time to listen and appreciate their thoughts. You can collaborate and exchange ideas, blending everyone’s creativity to come up with the best decorating concepts for your home. This thoughtful involvement can help seniors feel more connected and valued during the holiday.
2. Handmade Greeting Cards
Creating personalized greeting cards is a meaningful and enjoyable activity that seniors can partake in. Providing step-by-step guides for making these cards can add an extra layer of joy to the holiday. Seniors can craft Thanksgiving-themed cards featuring warm messages or decorative elements, which can then be shared with friends and family to spread the spirit of gratitude and connection.
Interactive Thanksgiving Games for Seniors
3. Thanksgiving Bingo
Thanksgiving-themed bingo is a lively way to engage seniors and add a touch of fun to the holiday.
Create custom bingo cards filled with holiday-related words such as “turkey,” “pumpkin pie,” “family,” and “gratitude.” This activity not only entertains but also fosters social interaction, keeping seniors involved and connected with the festivities. Nothing brings generations together more than a little friendly competition!
4. Trivia and Memory Games
Engaging seniors in Thanksgiving history trivia is a fantastic way to stimulate memory and encourage learning.
Prepare a set of fun questions covering everything from the origins of Thanksgiving to quirky holiday facts. You could ask questions like, “Which president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?” or “What was served at the first Thanksgiving feast?” This activity can be done individually or in groups, creating an environment that blends entertainment with a bit of education, all while nurturing cognitive health.
Game night is also a great opportunity for the little ones to settle down and listen to grandma and grandpa’s trivia bits. And by digging through their treasure trove of memories, you might uncover old tales that everyone can talk about over dinner.
Culinary Activities
5. Sharing Family Recipes
Preparing traditional meals not only commemorates the Pilgrims’ arrival in America but also becomes a shared experience filled with joy and nostalgia. Why not turn this tradition into an enjoyable activity involving your parents or grandparents?
Grandparents often delight in sharing their favorite recipes or teaching cooking techniques to their grandchildren. Beyond the satisfaction of crafting a tasty dish, cooking engages the mind, allowing seniors to experiment with various methods and presentations.
6. Simple Baking Projects
It’s finally time to learn that generations-old pumpkin pie recipe that everyone loves! And the little ones can join in too—just make sure there’s plenty of batter left by the end of the night! Whether it’s cookies, pies, or a shortcake, baking is often a group project filled with laughter and teamwork. With all hands on deck, you might even have enough pastries left over for Santa.
Social Engagements and Family Bonding
7. Storytelling and Sharing Traditions
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather around and let seniors share their favorite memories and traditions with the family. Whether it’s tales of past celebrations, humorous mishaps, or cherished recipes passed down through generations, these stories bring everyone closer and preserve family heritage.
Encouraging seniors to share their stories not only engages them but also enriches the experience for everyone, creating a heartfelt atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of the holiday.
8. Virtual Family Gatherings
For family members who can’t make it in person, organizing a virtual get-together ensures they’re still part of the celebration. With user-friendly video call platforms, you can connect everyone, bridging the distance and making the holiday feel complete.
From sharing the Thanksgiving meal “together” online to including everyone in a round of stories or games, virtual gatherings bring family members closer, even when miles apart.
Outdoor Activities for Seniors
9. Enjoying Nature Walks
Taking a light walk in the crisp fall air and enjoying the seasonal scenery is a wonderful way to engage seniors during Thanksgiving. It’s also the perfect way to work off that colossal turkey grandma lovingly prepared and make room for dessert when you return!
Be sure the path is even and everyone moves at a comfortable, senior-friendly pace. Bringing a wheelchair as a backup is wise, just in case that nature walk proves to be more exciting than expected.
10. Gardening with a Thanksgiving Twist
Simple gardening tasks, such as planting fall-themed flowers or herbs, are great ways to keep seniors engaged and active. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider gardening a vigorous exercise, making it an excellent prelude to enjoying Thanksgiving dinner guilt-free! To ensure the activity is manageable, let grandma take the lead in giving directions and choosing the floral arrangements. This approach keeps her involved without overexertion and adds a personalized touch to the day’s activities.
Cognitive Stimulation Activities
11. Thanksgiving-Themed Puzzles and Word Games
Activities like crossword puzzles or word searches with a Thanksgiving theme are perfect for keeping seniors mentally active. This might be something grandpa already does on his own often enough, but those curious little tikes will surely wonder what keeps him so occupied on his Lazyboy whenever they visit! This is a great bonding moment for two generations—grandpas and their lively, rambunctious grandchildren. It’s one of those times when coaching the little ones isn’t considered cheating, but part of the fun! Plus, it’s an excellent way for seniors to exercise their brains, and who knew thinking hard could burn a few calories too?
12. Book and Article Reading Circles
Engage seniors with Thanksgiving stories or themed readings that can spark interesting discussions. Whether it’s sharing classic holiday tales, reading heartwarming articles, or discussing short stories, these circles offer a chance for meaningful interaction.
Creating Lasting Memories at 12 Oaks
At 12 Oaks Senior Living, creating meaningful moments with family is at the heart of what we do. Some of our communities warmly welcome guests, ensuring that seniors who may have difficulty getting around can still enjoy much-needed family time over the holidays.
This helps bring loved ones together, providing a space where seniors can share in the joy of Thanksgiving with their families without leaving the comfort and support of their community.
We strive to make every holiday a special and inclusive experience, fostering memories that families will cherish for years to come.
Whether you want to host a large Thanksgiving celebration with all of your family and friends or you prefer to keep it intimate, we are sure that you will have the meals under control. However, Thanksgiving is about more than just a big, delicious meal. We must create beautiful memories by doing different activities with family, especially with our beloved senior relatives.
12 Oaks has put together a list of fun activities you can do with the whole family this approaching Thanksgiving holiday. These holiday celebrations promise to create memories that last a lifetime.
One Response
this was wonderful! this is our first holiday without dad (mom left us 7 years ago). family kinda fell apart splitting up things. some of these activities will help us a lot.