Children visitors are an essential part of any retirement community, bringing

new life, memories, and laughter to residents. However, it can sometimes be

difficult for parents to keep children engaged and on their best behavior during

visits, which is why we put together these 5 fun activities to help enliven your

visits! These activities are both enjoyable for children, and accessible to seniors.

Puzzles and Board Games

Puzzles are a classic activity that’s accessible for all ages. The best part is

that puzzles naturally encourage cooperation between participants as they work

together to see a full picture come to life! It’s a great way to make memories with

together. Most retirement homes already have a good collection of puzzles,

though for younger children, you may want to bring a children’s puzzle with bigger

pieces and brighter colors.

If your group wants a break from their puzzles, try playing some board

games! Checkers, Connect4, Sorry, Splendor, and Go Fish are all exciting games accessible for

all ages. These games bring out the competitive side of participants, and help keep minds sharp and active.

Decorating Cookies Together

Combine art and snacking together with some cookie decorating! Though

baking may not be possible due to your children's age or the lack of a kitchen, all

you need for cookie decorating is some pre-baked cookies, frosting, and sprinkles!

This activity is great for artists and sweet-tooths alike. Just be sure to set a table

cloth to catch all those crumbs!

Crocheting and Other Crafts

After you finish eating your cookies, why not have a crochet session with your

senior host? This is a great teaching moment for children who haven’t learned how

to crochet yet, and gives your seniors a skill to pass onto them. Participants are able

to practice their creativity and leave with a keepsake from their visit. Another

sweet idea would be to have each participant create a gift for someone else!

Younger children in the group may appreciate simpler crafts. Coloring books,

sculpting Play-Doh, or decorating paper bag puppets are all great options.

Story Time

After all those activities, why not have your children sit down and listen for a

bit? Invite your senior host to share some stories with their visitors. Ask them about

how things were like when they were a kid, or ask them to share about the pictures

in their room! Seniors have such a wealth of life experience to draw from, so create

space for them to share!

Going on a Walk Together

After all that sitting around, why not try leaving the room and going on a

walk? Take a loop around your retirement community and admire the surrounding

greenery. For the more adventurous, take your senior on a walk outside their

community. Children and adults alike love being active in nature.

The Cedars Retirement Community is a beautiful lakeside retirement residence located just outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Cedars Retirement Community offers a full calendar of gathering times, hands-on activities, and fun events. Located in Leo, Indiana, The Cedars believes in providing the highest quality of life and opportunity for seniors. We want to ensure that the latter years are lived with joy, enthusiasm, and relational connections. Please contact us with any questions or to schedule a tour of our beautiful lakeside retirement community.