6 Indoor Activities for Seniors for Easter and Spring 2021
Published on March 12, 2021
Over the past year, COVID-19 has stopped us from enjoying so many gathering with family and friends in person for birthdays, special occasions, and holidays. There is a strong likelihood that Easter 2021 won’t be any different. Fortunately, we live in the digital age and this makes it possible for us to continue interacting with our loved ones, albeit virtually and from a distance.
If you’re trying to come up with fun and safe indoor activities for seniors living in retirement communities in Ontario, we’ve prepared a list of great options that can be done virtually.
1. Stream Online Religious Services
Easter is a time for families to gather, and for many it is also a time to reflect upon religious significance of the day. Traditionally, many families spend the week going to church surrounded by their fellow congregation members.
These services usually have a large turnout and can sometimes be held outdoors. Unfortunately, this year—like last year—will be a little different. Depending on the lockdown restrictions in place, stay-at-home orders may still be required. However, many churches will be offering virtual services for their congregation to watch from home. Contact your church via phone, email, or visit their website for Easter service updates and live streaming information.
2. Do Easter Crafts Virtually Together
Crafts are another fun Easter tradition that many families enjoy doing together. Crafts are a great way for seniors to hone their creative skills and make new memories with their loved ones. Supplies and kits are also inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk or individually at pretty much any big box or dollar store in your area.
Most Easter craft kits include everything you need to make them as well as include detailed instructions. Plus, you can set up a web cam for your aging loved one and maybe even their neighbours, so that they can participate in a virtual Easter art class together.
Here are a few great Easter crafting ideas and activities for seniors:
Decorate plastic or hardboiled eggs
Make colourful Easter egg garlands
Decorate flower planters
Make tabletop Easter trees
Bake Easter cookies and other treats
Decorate a pre-made birdhouse
3. Attract Birds with a DIY Birdhouse
After a long, cold, and particularly difficult winter along with a pandemic that forced many people to spend the majority of their indoors, there is nothing quite as satisfying as hearing the sounds of spring. The sound of birds chirping outside is one of the most recognizable and uplifting sounds that people associate with this time of year.
Depending on how many Community Members are participating in this project, you could position the birdhouses in a common area such as on the grounds of the common outdoor space.
4. Organize a Spring-Cleaning Session
Spring cleaning can be an extremely satisfying and cathartic experience, especially for people who feel like they have an overwhelming amount of stuff. Easter is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Getting rid items that you no longer need or want can feel like lifting a major weight off your shoulders.
Encourage your loved one and even their neighbours to clean out or donate items that they no longer use. This can be turned into a fun game or activity for seniors. It keeps them moving and it can also elicit happy memories of previous experiences.
Helping a senior go through their belongings is also a nice bonding experience for your relationship as certain sentimental items and photographs might have special stories attached to them.
5. Play Easter Trivia Games
Playing virtual Easter-themed trivia games with your loved one who lives in a retirement community is another great way to pass the time while in lockdown or quarantine. Whether they’re well-known games with an Easter twist or brand new, the point is that you’re spending quality time together!
A quick online search will help you come up with a bunch of Easter trivia questions and answers that you can use for inspiration. Try to make it as fun and creative as possible. Participating in trivia games is beneficial in so many ways as it can stimulate brain function and even uplift your elderly loved one’s mood just by spending time with you.
6. Watch Beloved Easter Movies Together
Here is a list of beloved Easter movies that you can watch virtually with your loved one:
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Ben-Hur (1959)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
The Robe (1953)
King of Kings (1961)
Risen (2016)
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
For more fun and entertaining remote or virtual Easter celebration ideas with your elderly loved one, feel free to contact V!VA Retirement Communities. Considered one of the leading retirement community operators in Ontario, we pride ourselves on providing our Community Members and their families with a rich and enticing senior living experience. Contact us today to learn more.
