| The Activity Director's Office Presents Activity Ideas That Work by Gina Salazar, AD |
| MAY ACTIVITIES |
| Favorite Things The things that make a mother smile are the things that make all life worthwhile. A home that's filled with warmth and love and treasures that she's fondest of. Little feet that make her day a busy world of work and play. Friends who take the time to call a door that opens wide to all. A room that holds the morning sun and laughter when the day is done. The special joy that each day brings is made of Mother's favorite things. ~ Author Unknown |
| Cinco De Mayo Trivia: Cinco De Mayo is on the 5th of May and is celebrated by Mexican- Americans to remember the anniversary of the battle of Puebla in 1862 when Mexican troops defeated Napoleons invading French army. The Mexican victory meant the end of European domination. True/Faise Trivia: ~ Mexico imports coffee,bananas,sugar cane,and tabacco to the U.S. True ~The peso is the basic unit of money in Mexico True ~Chili Con Carne means Its cold outside in Spanish False, it means Chili with Meat. ~A Sarape is a Mexican drink False, it is a blanket. ~The main religion in Mexico is Budisim False, most Mexicans in Mexico are Catholic ~ Mariachi music is played with a piano False. ~Mexico's capital city is Mexico City True ~The official language of Mexico is Latin False, it is Spanish |
| What's Cookin' Mexican Salsa You will need: Blender Bag of Tortillia Chips 1 small can of tomato sauce 3 Large Tomatos 1 Large Onion 1 bunch of Cilantro 1 bunch of Green onions Garlic Salt 3-6 Jalepenos(depends on how hot you want it) Directions: Put all ingredients into blender and chop up,add garlic salt to taste. Serve with Tortilla chips. |
| May Dates to Celebrate: National Book Month - Why dont you start up a book club in your facility?Pick a book for the month and tell your residents to read it and at the end of the month, get your group together and discuss the book in detail.Check with your local library for shut-in services(someone will come out to your facility to bring books from the library). National Barbecue Month- Why dont you have a BBQ and serve hambugers,green salad,and chips and salsa,and you can celebrate all three together. National Hamburger Month- National Salad Month- National Salsa Month- Cinco De Mayo- May 5th - Why dont you have a Mexican Fiesta with a Mariachi band(or just play mexican music),serve Carne Asada,Rice,Beans,red,white and green Jello, and non-alcoholic Margaritas.Have a salsa making cooking class.Play Cinco De mayo trivia(see below),Have a local dance studio come in and give Salsa Dance step lessons,Call everyone by Senior or Senorita,Have the staff and residents wear red,white and green clothing.Have fun!!! Mothers Day- Second sunday of May- Why not have a Mothers day Tea? Hire an entertainer or singer for the event,send out invitations,serve different types of teas and coffee,muffins,cookies and different types of bagels and cream cheeses and fresh fruit.Hand out fresh flowers to all the mothers in attendance. National Nursing Home Week- second week in May-This week can be a great way to bring the community and your facility together. Here are a few ideas to try: ~Call local news stations and papers to invite them to your celebration of National Nursing home week. ~Have a picnic- open up your facility to the community. ~Have a Craft faire, In the weeks leading up to the event have residents make things to sell (bookmarkers,blankets,etc), Cakes/cookies for a bake sale, and set up booths to sell their goods. You could also put up fliers to rent spaces to local crafters to sell their items at the craft faire. Have a BBQ and sell hot dogs and hamburgers,chips and sodas. ~Hold a scavenger hunt- ~Hold a raffle- Many local stores will donate items to your facility if asked.Sell raffle tickets and hold the raffle during the week. ~Hold a Bingo Game night- Pass out fliers throughout your community and hold a Bingo night.Serve refreshments. ~Hold a Band Contest- Ask your local high schools music director to bring the school band to hold a concert outdoors at your facility. ~Hold a Poker Night- Ask your local Moose,Elks,or Shrinners club to come in and play poker one night with your residents,serve non-alcoholic beer. ~ Hold a Blood pressure Clinic- Ask your nurse from your facility to hold free blood pressure testing to the local community seniors, pass out fliers to all the surrounding senior apts. ~Ice cream Social Nite- Get all the fixings for Ice cream sundaes,Ice cream,whipped cream,toppings,nuts,cherries,etc.Pass out fliers throughout the community and at your local senior centers. ~Open House- May Crafts: Balloon Pinatas You will need: Large balloons Masking tape Starch or flour and water paste Paints Brushes Ribbon Directions: Blow up the balloons and tie closed. Cover the balloons with pieces of masking tape. Cover the whole balloon.Then cover the balloon with starch or a paste of flour and water.Let dry over night. Paint the balloons bright colors.Let dry.Then pop the ballon and fill with candies and small treats.Tie with ribbon. May Flowers: You will need: Tissue/Kleenex Pipe cleaners Markers Directions: Take two or three tissues and layout on top of each other then fold like a fan (back and forth,like an accordian) then put a pipe cleaner around the middle and tie.Separate the layers of the tissue and fluff out over the pipe cleaner to look like a flower.Then you can color the edges with markers if desired. |
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| Gina Salazar, AD |