National Scrabble Day- April 13
Celebrate National Scrabble Day with a good game of Scrabble!
Celebrate Int'l Guitar Month in April
-For individuals or a small group, Play Guitar Hero on your XBox or Wii
-For lower functioning groups, have a music/guitar education session for participants to learn about the guitar, touch one and strum.
Ceramics
Offer your participants the opportunity to create ceramic pieces. Although ceramics can be highly rewarding, the process can be involved and as complex as. This discussion is only meant to be an overview.
The simplest form ceramics involves buying and staining bisque, which doesn't require the use of a kiln. This method is also the most expensive. The following is a discussion of more complex methods of doing ceramics:
-Kilns: If very ambitious, suggest the facility buy kilns. Another option is take the pieces to an outside facility with charges for firing. Purchasing kilns makes the process more complicated and increases responsibility on the part of the recreation department, but it also raises the possibility of a wider variety of creations. Think "outside the box" for purchasing kilns and don't let expense prevent it. For example, pursue grant money toward their purchase if the facility is not for profit or buy used kilns. Also remember, a space is needed with good ventilation for the kilns which may require some remodeling. Extra storage space will also be needed. Once kilns are purchased, the cost of doing ceramics or pottery is greatly reduced as buying bisque is very expensive. However, buying molds for ceramics can also be expensive initially.
- Pieces: Doing your own ceramics will require you to buy either molds, greenware, or bisque. The piece begins as a liquid that is poured into a mold and allowed to set. Greenware is the fragile, fairly wet ceramic piece that has set in the mold, prior to firing in the kiln. It requires a being cleaned, which means lightly sanding the imperfections and seems. Once fired it becomes bisque, a hardened piece ready for the final process. The piece will require re-firing if glazed.
A piece can be bought at every stage of the process. Greenware can be bought cheaply if you can find a supplier locally. Bisque is much more expensive. Keep in mind that although pouring your own molds is less expensive, it requires a lot of extra space and makes the process more lengthy. To offset costs, have participants buy their own pieces and any special glazes.
-Staining/Glazing:: Staining ceramics is just painting the piece (the paint is called "stain") and does not require an additional firing. To achieve a shiny porcelain type finish, the piece will need to be glazed. The glazing process can use glazes and/or undersglazes and can be a complicated process with several steps in firing depending on the effect desired. If you plan to do ceramics on your own, keeping the pieces simple and use stains or one color of glaze.
-Have fun, as always!
Bowling
Bowling can be done two ways- 1) At the bowling alley, of course or 2) Set up your own for a small group or individual play.
Bowling at the bowling alley is a good occasional outing or regular activity for clients. Remember, the bowling alley should have a good set of bowling ramps for those in needing to bowl from sitting. Almost anyone can bowl with the assistance of ramps, although you may need someone to retrieve the balls!
If you set up your own bowling, you will need a GOOD set of foam or plastic bowling ball and pins. Good for a short activity, don't forget that the bowler can help you set up the pins as a part of the activity, based on the participant's ability.
Have fun bowling!
Outing to Farmer's Market
Most communities have a nearby outdoor farmer's or fresh open market on the weekends. If not, the larger cities have indoor farmer's markets that often sell items from around the world. These outings make very fun field trips once every month or so. The outdoor markets often also feature local vendors with gifts, arts and crafts.
If your clients need lifeskills or instrumental activities of daily living training, having them buy items for a meal they must prepare (if advanced) from the local market is a great way to make a mundane task more fun. Teach budgeting beforehand, work on money exchange or shopping while managing a wheelchair are all excellent functional activities.
Gone Fishing
If your clients are the outdoorsy types, this kind of trip is worth the effort. The rewards are worth for even one client! With very little help, no more than 5 or 6 clients should go. If there is a lot of extra help available or your clients are more self-sufficient, take as many as you can. I have found these trips to always be successful whether or not we caught any fish! Practice your casting beforehand and keep in mind the following suggestions for pulling it off:
1) Figure out where to go. A lake, river, or pond? If a private pond is known, there may be a small fee to fish. Keep it as simple as possible and find a place that is either accessible by dock or with a level embankment. Fish for crappy or catfish if they are available where you are.
2) Fishing gear and supplies:
-Poles - If your clients already like to fish, they may own their own poles, or you may buy very cheap poles at Walmart (under $20). The cheapest poles are bamboo (also called cane and "snatch") best used with catfish and crappy.
-Bait- For crappy and the like, buy worms or crickets at a nearby store to your chosen fishing hole or at Walmart. For catfish, chicken livers (or even hotdogs will work) are best.
-Purchase fishing licenses in advance, on the Internet typically. Here in Georgia, we have a couple of free fishing days, so check in your state.
-Tackle box stocked with pliers, extra fishing line, sinkers, scissors, and various size hooks.
-Large bucket to place water in for the fish that are caught
-Fishing net
-Trash bags
-Towels- Used for cleaning hands and helps with holding onto fish.
-Other outing supplies you may need such as water or sunscreen.
-*If you are not familiar with fishing, take at least one person (not including a client!) who is!*
3) If possible, go on a nice warm spring day without wind or bad weather.
4) Have FUN!!!!
Outing to a Flea Market
Pick a small or mid-sized flea market in your local area or nearby for your clients to shop at and have lunch out. Make it a game by seeing who can by the most with $5.00. Or make it a true scavenger hunt by creating a list of fun things to find and give the one with most finds a prize! Here's a sample list:
-glass colored bottle
-straight razor or double razor
-churn
-a flour sifter
-whiskey bottle
-old Life magazine
-embroidered hankerchief
-vintage tablecloth
-vintage tatted doily
-fake pearl earrings
-red handkerchief
-opal ring
-shirt
-shoes
-a jewelry pin
-a dish
March is Nat'l Crafts Month
Host a special craft once a week with a guest craft instructor or do it yourself. Check out the crafts page for ideas. Contact your local parks and recreation department or arts council for some volunteers. Visit a local craft show in your area or a museum with an special art or craft exhibition.
March Madness
Post up a tournament board for basketball's March Madness. Print a mini bracket sheet for those clients interested and have a "pickin" contest to see who predicts the most winners.
Relaxation Techniques: Guided Imagery
Learn to lead your group in a relaxation session with guided imagery. Or find some sessions you like on You Tube and play them for your group. Or hire a person to do a live session. Live sessions are the most effective in my opinion. A good session will last at least 10 to 15 minutes. You will need a quiet and relaxing room with quiet, relaxing music. This activity is good for a small group who does not have issues with concentrating.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Free Online Games
Memory and Recognition Games
Variation of the Memory Game (for 1-2 people)- Using 4 to 9 pictures depending on ability level, arrange pictures in an order and allow the player to view the pictures for a period of time. Take up the pictures have the player arrange the pictures the way originally displayed. Difficulty: Very hard
Picture Bingo- Create your own Bingo cards using pictures (or download some versions off the Internet) or graphics and give clues to describe the picture for players. Difficulty: Moderate
Jingo- A version of Picture Bingo. You will need a Jingo game which comes in several different themes. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Pokerkeeno- A Bingo type game with the cards picturing playing cards instead of numbers and letters.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Word Games
Pick from one of the following word games based on the level of your group:
Word Board Games:
-Scrabble
-Boggle
-Wheel of Fortune - You can make your own "wheel" to spin and use an erase board or flip chart
Word Games using an erase board or flip chart:
-Word Unscramble- Scramble the letters of a word, divide your group into individual opponents or teams to see who get the most words.
-Word Creations - Choose a word, preferably a long word, and see how many words your group can come up with using any of the letters in the original word.
-Hangman
Other related games:
-Giant crossword puzzles available from various activity suppliers.
-Giant Soduku - Use a flipchart to make the board
Beauty Day
Arrange some volunteers to help pamper the women with a spa hand treatment: paint nails and massage hands. Or do it yourself and schedule appointment times.
Stained Glass
Materials: Various glass stain bottles from any craft store
Stained glass (plastic) premade forms from www.ssww.com or Hobby Lobby
Paper clip or push pin to pop bubbles
Paper towels or kleenex for mistakes
Q-tips for mistakes
S & S Worldwide makes inexpensive and numerous paintable stained glass. Words well for lower to high functioning individuals. The paint is squeezed onto the space not requiring paint brushes. Use a Q-tip to absorb excess paint, although do not swirl it around as this creates bubbles. Pop bubbles that form with pin.
Scavenger Hunt
A good one-on-one or small group activity is a Scavenger Hunt. Whoever gets the most items in the time frame given wins! The following is an example or make up your own:
_________________________ a movie ticket stub
_________________________ a chocolate chip cookie recipe
_________________________ a bar of hotel soap
_________________________ a word search puzzle
_________________________ a pack of takeout ketchup
_________________________ a popsicle stick
_________________________ an old cd
_________________________ a used stamp
_________________________ a colored napkin
_________________________ a plastic fork
_________________________ a balloon
_________________________ a birthday candle
_________________________ a Christmas card
_________________________ a can of pop
_________________________ a paper grocery bag
_________________________ a used printer cartridge
_________________________ a tea bag
_________________________ a potato
_________________________ a magazine
_________________________ a fast food coupon
_________________________ a hanger
_________________________ a spool of thread
_________________________ a 1990 penny
_________________________ an elastic band
_________________________ a tape case
_________________________ a grocery receipt
Baking Biscuits
If you have a participant who is a good baker, have them teach the group or just work one on one to bake biscuits. Depending on the setting, many haven't made biscuits or a favorite pastry in a long time. If you don't have access to a resident kitchen, ask to bake them in the master kitchen.
Materials: Buttermilk
Crisco or butter
Self rising flour
Cup or biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits
Flour sifter
pan
Optional- measuring spoons depending on the cook!
Craft: Mosaic Tile
Great one to one or group activity that covers several sessions. Is messy but reveals a beautiful product the participants are proud of and love!
Materials: Wooden picture frames (or some other flat surface decorative piece)
Mosaic tiles
Tile adhesive
Grout
Spacers (Optional)
Grout applicator
Grout sealer
Damp towel
Directions: Lay surface flat and wipe excess dust or dirt. Arrange tiles in a desirable pattern, making sure there is 1-2 mm of space on all sides of tiles. Glue on tiles. Allow to dry over night and make sure each tile is secure. Mix grout (follow pkg directions) and apply with grout applicator making sure all the spaces are filled in. As it begins to set, wipe surface with damp towel to reveal surface of tiles. May need to let dry for a while before wiping. Make sure edges are covered with grout and smooth. After the grout has set for some time (one to two weeks) apply grout sealer.
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