UKSPF UK Government Funding West Yorkshire Combined Authority Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire

Activities for Elderly People

Craft activities for elderly peopleCard Craft Activities for Elderly People

Finding activities for elderly people can be a time-consuming and sometimes budget-eating task, especially when you work in a residential or care setting. 

An engaging activity programme needs a wide variety of interesting, creative things to keep people entertained week after week and you have to account for different abilities; sometimes people may need very easy activities or something a bit more challenging, even if help is needed to complete it. 

Charity Needed Activities to Save Precious Time

We were contacted by MHA Communities Wakefield, a charity that enables older people to stay living independently in their own homes for as long as possible, tackling loneliness and isolation and helping them to lead fulfilled lives, remaining active members of their communities.

To provide the best possible quality of life, MHA have a programme with lots of activities, one of which is a card making group attended by around 16 people per week.    

A lot of time was being spent searching for activity ideas, buying cost-effective supplies and then re-ordering when those had run out - that time could be much better spent doing activities and being with people!

card craft activities for elderly peopleCard Craft Activities for Elderly People

As well as being given some freebies from our donated stock, the activity coordinator was intrigued by our printable cards and crafts.

The Benefits of Printables

The benefits of having printables in your craft stash includes:

  • Purchase once and re-print as needed

  • You usually just need to buy white card/paper, something to cut with and adhesive - and maybe a bit of sparkle to decorate the designs (clear glitter glue or gel pens work an absolute treat here)

  • Mistakes made?  No problem, print off another sheet and save the bits for making other projects, or pop into the recycling.

  • You can fundraise with them, if you wish!

Printable Activities for Elderly People

printable card craft activities for elderly people"The handbag cards sold it" - Activity Coordinator
How to Make This Card from Printables

At the time, the idea of "printables" was new to the charity but the fact they could download their supplies and print off lots of different designs and hand them out as people wanted, was very appealing! 

Even if the printable kits weren't the main activity, they could be used as an extra "filler" for when people had finished what they were doing and needed something else to do before the end of their session.

Printables can be hard to grasp if you're not used to using them - that you literally print out what you want to make - but having had a good look around our downloads the verdict came back..."the handbag cards sold it".

So bearing in mind the charity works with elderly people, what did they choose as appropriate card making and craft activities for their group? 

Over the years, they have chosen easy-to-cut bundles of printables such as:

Plus, some fancier card making printables that are a bit more of a challenge but still easier than you might think:

The printable sheets will often include optional 'decoupage pieces' that can be cut out and layered for a 3D effect - if these are too difficult, just leave them off, or ask for help from a nimble cutter.

Activities for Elderly Residents During Lockdown

Lockdown activities using printablesCreative Lockdown Activities for Elderly Residents
Including our Printables

During lockdown, our printables were of benefit yet again - activity packs were put together from various card making kits (see both photos above with finished samples) and included with other craft supplies which were then distributed to residents and their community craft group.  

"Our members have continued to receive monthly printable cards throughout the pandemic"

- MHA Communities Wakefield

Christmas Printables

For the festive season, the charity have chosen a variety of our many printable Christmas card making kits, including these fabulous Offset Gatefold Cards and the Christmas Taster Bundle which includes a several festive items to have a go at including a Christmas gift box, cracker, tags etc.

printable gatefold card kitsChristmas Offset Gatefold Bundle - Easier Printable Activities for Elderly People
Christmas printables taster kits for instant downloadChristmas Printables - Taster Bundle

It's not always easy to find activities for elderly people that suit everyone, but we have a wide range that can be instantly downloaded and tried - some require more manual dexterity than others, and others are nice to make together, with friends and family (when that's finally allowed again!)

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

Want to give printables a try?  Download these free Christmas Gift Tags onto card, preferably white/light-coloured.  Then just cut out, prick a hole and they're ready to write and attach to your gifts...

Free Printable Christmas Gift TagsFree Printable Christmas Gift Tags

We are a small not-for-profit craft company and we try to provide images and videos of how to make our printable kits up but this isn't always possible.  You will find various card making tutorials and craft videos around our site - if you make any PLEASE do send us your photos (or step-by-step instructions, videos etc)

More: Our Community Work