Good group activities for seniors are easy to join, easy to leave and not tied to one ability level. Here are ten, with the seated ones marked. Check anything physical with your activity staff or the residents' care team first.
Ten activities
- Card games (seated). Euchre, crib or bridge tables. Set out a mix of games so people can drift between tables.
- Bingo (seated). Large-print cards and a caller with a loud voice. Small prizes keep it light.
- Trivia (seated). Teams of four, with questions from the decades people grew up in. Music rounds are popular.
- Singalong (seated). A piano or a playlist and printed lyrics. Choose songs from the 1950s to the 1970s.
- Chair yoga (seated). Led by a qualified instructor, with slow movements done from a chair.
- Crafts and painting (seated). Watercolours or card-making at a table. Keep the supplies simple.
- Container gardening (seated). Planters at table height with herbs or flowers. Good for spring and summer.
- Book club (seated). Short stories or a newspaper column read aloud, then a discussion.
- A short walk. A flat loop around the grounds, with benches along the route and a staff member at the back.
- A golf simulator visit. We bring a portable golf simulator to a residence, hall or community centre, set it up in 30 to 45 minutes, and an attendant runs it. Nobody needs golf experience, and it works indoors. It needs about 10 ft by 15 ft of clear space and an outlet. Swings are done standing, so tell us about your residents' mobility before you book and we'll say honestly what will work. See our notes for senior residences and community groups, or the local details for Surrey and Abbotsford.
Choosing activities for a mixed group
- Keep sessions short. Thirty to sixty minutes works for most groups, with a break in between.
- Offer a choice. Two or three activities running at once means people can pick what suits them on the day.
- Think about hearing and vision. Use large print, a microphone for the host and a room with good light.
- Ask the residents. The best way to find out what people enjoy is to ask them.
Before you plan anything physical
Talk to the activity director or the care team about each person's needs. Not every activity suits every resident, and the team knows who needs a seat, a rest or a helper. Check the room, too: doorways, floors, seating height and bathrooms nearby all matter. A short sign-up sheet a week ahead gives you a realistic headcount.
If you want to bring in a golf simulator
We bring everything: the enclosure, screen, clubs and launch monitor. It needs about 10 ft by 15 ft of clear space and a standard outlet. Setup takes 30 to 45 minutes and an attendant runs it, so your staff can focus on the residents. We can't promise a seated option works for everyone, so tell us about your group before you book and we'll answer honestly. A half day is $499 and a full day is $799. Travel is only added for events a long way from Surrey.
Planning around BC weather
Outdoor walks and gardening are best from late spring through early autumn. The rest of the year, keep the programme indoors and have a covered path if you plan to move people between buildings. Check the forecast the day before and keep an indoor version of every activity ready.
A sample week
- Monday morning: chair yoga with an instructor.
- Tuesday afternoon: card tables and tea.
- Wednesday: trivia with music rounds.
- Thursday: crafts or painting.
- Friday: singalong, with a visitor if there is one.
What to ask an outside entertainer
- What do you need for setup? Space, power and time, in writing.
- What does the residence require from visitors? Some ask for proof of insurance or a sign-in.
- How long is the session? Match it to your group's energy.
- What happens if the date changes? Ask about deposits and cancellation before you commit.
Involve families
Many residences welcome family on weekends. Invite relatives to join a card game, a singalong or the golf simulator. A shared activity gives visitors something to do besides sit and talk, and it often brings out stories you wouldn't hear otherwise. Send the invitation a week or two ahead so people can plan their visit.
Safety basics
Keep walkways clear, tape down any cords, and make sure chairs are stable and the right height. Leave room for walkers and wheelchairs between stations. Ask the care team how many helpers you need for the size of the group, and put water and a place to rest within easy reach.
Or hire a golf simulator for your residents
A half day is $499 and a full day is $799, with delivery, setup and takedown included. See pricing or tell us your date.