Rolling pin art
submitted by Patricia K. Wesley of Shadynook Care Center on December 20, 2006
 
Size of Group: 4 or 5
 
Equipment: rolling pin, white paper or watercolor paper, paint brush, non-toxic paint, optional hair dryer
   
Description:  Provide paper, paint, and brush to participants. Place paint dots on paper and fold paper in half. Use the rolling pin and roll over the paper several times. Unfold and the painting is revealed. A hair dryer will speed up the drying process. Hold pictures up for discussion. Mat and hang.

Notes: You will be surprised at the creative process it allows lower cognitive residents. Completed art work in 5 to 10 minutes. Starts a discussion on what they see in their picture. It can be anything they want it to be. Accept the art work at its own merit. Non-controversial. Use or rolling pin by participants provides physical movement opportunities.

Christmas Ornament made with Puzzle Piece
Submitted by Cindy Laverty of Nursing/Rehab Home ON 10-26-13

Size of Group: 1-6

Equipment/Supplies Needed:
green paint
brown paint
puzzle pieces
glitter, green gold and white
mardi gra necklaces (small beads)
hair spray

Activity/Treatment Objective or Expected Outcome: 
To make a Christmas ornament for themselves or family.
Eye hand coordination.
Creativity.
Great group project and working together.

Description of the Activity: Glue puzzle pieces in shape of a tree or a wreath. Paint green for tree. Brown for the bottom of the tree. Cut apart the necklaces. Glue the different color beads on the tree. Add glitter and spray with hair spray at the end to hold every thing on. We did this as a group project and made 20 ornaments.

Butterfly Collage
submitted by Laurie Solomon, RT of UCP Bayville Inc. on March 9, 2007
 
Size of Group: any
 
Equipment: Large Paper, Paint, Paintbrushes, Glue, Glitter, Magazines, Scissors, Tissue paper, Beads, Pipe cleaners, photographs of activities that your consumers have done in the Spring, and any other materials you wish to use.
 
Objective: This activity will give your consumers a sense of accomplishment and will teach what outdoor activities, and holidays that can be done during the Spring.  
 
Description: Look for photographs and pictures in magazines of any leisure activity that has been done during the Spring.  Cut out a large Butterfly and paint it with spring time colors, glue the pictures that you chose on the butterfly.  Any extra space decorate with tissue paper, beads, glitter, or any ideas that you may have.  Take the pipe cleaner and use that for the antennas.

Create Greeting Cards (The greeting card company)
submitted by L J Lewis on May 11, 2007

Size of Group: Varies Various activities in one On-going

Equipment: Paper, Pens, Pencils, Watercolor pencils, cups of water, notebooks for the poetry, water color paper, and other supplies as needed, glue, glitter, small pieces of ribbon or other embellishments and other items to make a card template to be printed numerous times on a color copier. Computer and color printer and copier. glue.

Objective: Patients will thrive on the idea of creating something. Increased socialization through the activity. Fine motor skills as well as gross motor skills as some may walk to get other items needed in the room will be utilized and developed. Hand eye coordination.

Expected Outcome: Patients or residents will be come motivated from within themselves to do a tasks. There will be a sense of pride for the end result and accomplishment.

Description: This would allow the patients and residents to practice a number of skills while contributing in a positive manner to the community in which they live and reside. In essence the whole idea is to create from scratch quality templates that can be sent out for printing perhaps on a color copier. The cards designed and processed by the patients and residents of the facility. The poetry and sayings should be original and come from the patients and be donated by the staff--if willing.

The artwork should be donated by the staff and patients or residents also and used to create lovely cards that could then be processed by scanning artwork into a computer. Using the computer the two mediums could come together in a fashion and arrangement to form a card template. That template can then be used to take to a printer or to a color copier of high quality off campus to be copied. If any embellishments need to be applied the cards could then come back to the residents and patients for this process. This would be the adding of little bows or leather or little pieces of twine or glitter and etc. to the cards to make them more original. The final product could be checked by quality control specialist in the group. Then they could be packaged and sold in a place on campus for a nominal fee. The purchasers could be patients, residents and staff. There could be a patient price and a staff price. Cards could be sent to anyone to brighten and individuals day from whom ever purchased them. This could be a year round project for about an hour on certain days of the month and could provide seasonal acknowledgement by the residents or patients.

Skills and benefits involved in this project may include the following but not limited to these:
Fosters individual creativity, Provides a sense of hope for the future, Poetic skills in writing, Focus, Art skills, Craft skills, Fine motor skills, Hand/eye coordination, Skill of analysis,and Color coordination and creativity with use of color and other skills and benefits

Recipe Scrapbooking
submitted by Lisa Porco Planting of Great Northern Nursing Centre on May 26, 2007

Size of Group: 1-1, or small group

Equipment: paper, pen, computer, computer printer, camera, scrapbooking supplies

Objective: The main objective of this program is to encourage residents to reminisce and share their favorite recipes, to share stories about cooking for their families, and to compare their recipes with others. The expected outcome of this program is a true sense of pride in themselves and their past cooking experiences.

Description: In small groups, or one to one with residents and family members, have residents bring in their favorite recipes from home or recite them to you. Collect the recipes, as well as a little story about how the recipe originated, or a little story about the residents' family, how he/she immigrated to Canada, how long they have been married, how many kids etc. Ask a family member to bring in a picture of the resident, or take a new one to include with the recipe and story.

Once everything has been collected, and you have enough for a cookbook, compile them into a beautiful scrapbook of recipes and stories.

This project can be very cost effective with the use of clip art, or dollar store scrapbooking supplies.
In our nursing home, some residents were able to submit their own hand written recipes, which gave it an extra special touch.

On the backsides of each page, we photocopied old newspaper ads that we found at the library showing old local stores, products, and prices.

The residents really enjoyed working on this project, and are enjoying the finished product even more!
What's nice also, is that these scrapbook recipe books can be sold in chapters, because after seeing the first one, it will really encourage others to participate!

Antique Collage
submitted by Andrea Stockton-Barton of Baywoods of Annapolis on October 4, 2007

Size of Group: 5 to 6 individuals

Equipment: Antique magazines, mod podge, glue, heavy cardboard, scissors, picture frame, odds and ends i.e., buttons, lace, fabric, ribbon, etc.

Objective:
* Concentration and focusing skills
* Reminiscing on bygone items used as functional items and for decorating
* socialization
* the acquisition of craft skills
* self esteem and feelings of accomplishment

Description: Give each resident 1 to 2 antique magazines and ask them to find items that are interesting to use in the collage. Encourage residents to talk about the items and if they remember owning any of the items when they were younger. Have residents cut out the pictures and then arrange them in a pleasant design on the board. We typed various categories i.e., toys, watches, clocks, rugs, paintings, quilts, etc. and placed the words next to the groupings of antique pictures. We then glued down our pictures using additional items such as antique lace, buttons, pieces of fabric, etc. to give it a distressed or antique look and sealed the entire collage with a layer of decoupage. After the picture was left to dry for several hours we placed it in a decorative frame with all the names of the participants typed on a decorative tag at the bottom of the picture(designed and completed by...) We now have it on display and have received a lot of positive feedback from staff and visitors.

Clip Art Mask
submitted by Parker Ceplina of Nursing Home on August 14, 2009

Size of Group: ? (how much help you have/focus of residents)

Equipment: Computer, paper, card stock, Markers/Crayons/colored Pencils/Water colors/etc., Glue Sticks, Tongue Depressors/ Wide Popsicle Sticks

Objective: fun, personal satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, social interaction

Description:

1-Print black & White clip art animals with eyes easy to cut out
2-using a copy machine copy masks onto card stock
3-give to residents to color they want
4-depending on the state of resident give them scissors or you cut it (be sure to cut out eyes!!)
5-Take tongue depressor and apply glue to the top and stick to back of mask

Paper Mache Pumpkins
Submitted by: Jennifer Haar, ATR, AD, Activities Director at Destin Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Destin, Florida

Scrap booking (for Dementia patients)
submitted by Sherry of Elmcroft on September 24, 2006

Size of Group: any size

Equipment: Construction Paper; tape; pictures; hole punch; scrap yarn or metal ring binders

Objective: Helps the residents to recall family, friends, foods, colors by pictures and labels.

Description: Different colored construction paper cut in half and punch a hole on top or side of page so to make a booklet style format. Then cut pictures of the resident's favorite foods, color, family members, friends, past jobs, etc and then paste, tape, staple the picture to the construction paper. Underneath the picture put a caption like Best friend, my high school, my favorite team, etc. This way they can frequently look through the album to help remember facts. Keeps their minds sharp. If you have the resources then you can laminate the pages when finished. When family members come they enjoy going through the picture book with them.

Let's go Fishing!
Submitted by Atara Engel; TR Student, Concordia University on September 01, 2004

Size: Any number of clients [works best with children]

Equipment: Different colors of construction paper, scissors, glue, colorful supplies to be stuck on fish [sparkles, confetti, cotton balls, feathers, plastic eyes, sequins, wood chips, shiny paper, etc.], string or ribbon, short sticks or plastic rods, magnets/magnetic tape, paper clips, markers/crayons/pencils.

Objective: The goals for this program are hand-eye coordination, focusing on a task [using patience...the fish are difficult to catch!], using dexterity and fine motor skills [cutting, pasting, drawing, ""fishing""], social interaction, matching, learning shapes and sizes and colors.

Description: Clients will use construction paper in the color of their choosing and will use scissors to cut out fish in different shapes [fish may need to be pre-cut depending on clients]. Clients will then use glue and art materials to decorate their fish as they choose. When each client is done, a paper clip is attached to the fish [magnetic tape may be more effective if fish are heavy due to excess art supplies!] and fish are placed on the floor. Clients are given a stick, some string and a magnet to make fishing rods [these may need to be made in advance by tying string to the end of the sticks and tying a magnet to the end of the string]. Clients can now ""go fishing"" and catch their creations! This activity can also be made more difficult by pasting letters or pictures onto the fish and having the clients try to ""catch"" a matching-pair or fish.

Airplane Fun
submitted by Cheryl Halladay of Devon Health Centre, Devon, Alberta on June 25, 2003

Size: 8 to 12

Equipment: Old sheet with various holes cut throughout it and scores marked above the holes. Some holes I marked "Miss a turn, sing a song, etc. I had them each make their own paper airplane and name it. e.g Furious Flyers. I attached string to the top of the sheet to hang it from the ceiling.

Objective: Object: To fly their paper airplane through the holes and score the most points!

Description: I divided my group into two teams, however you could do this individually and they could compete against each other. They then took turns throwing their "planes through the holes and scored. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all, but the men particularly enjoyed it.

Butterflies
Submitted by Laurie Solomon, RT of UCP Bayville, inc. on October 16, 2000

Size: 5-10

Equipment: Markers, Coffee Filters, White Paper, Water, Spray Bottle, Hair dryer, Pipe Cleaners

Objective: Increased self esteem and accomplishment, especially those who do not have good hand coordination.

Description: Put the coffee filter on top of the white paper, you may need to tape it down. Take the markers and color the coffee filter any way they want. Spray the now colored coffee filter on top of the white paper. Use the hair dryer to dry it. Each person makes two coffee filters. Fold each one like you would a fan. Connect them together with pipe cleaners. Use another pipe cleaner for its antennas.

Photo Puzzle
submitted by Ellen Stoneberg

Instead of using children's puzzles or ordering the puzzles of photographed people form a catalog, why not make your own?

Supply list:

mod podge
photographs of residents to be enlarged on color copier
spray adhesive
blank 12 piece puzzles
scissors
copy machine at your work

Blow up a color photograph (of a resident at your facility) to 11' x 7 1/2" for about a dollar at a copy center. Take a spray adhesive to attach the image to a simple 12 piece puzzle. You can buy the spray adhesive and the blank puzzle at a large art supply store.

Photocopy the BOTTOM of the puzzle on a copy machine. then using a small dab of glue stick, on each piece on the photocopy adhere it to the back of the color photocopy and center it accordingly.

Cut out the pieces carefully using scissors. Separate the photocopied template from the color copied image. Then take each color copied piece, and individually spray the adhesive onto the piece to be glued.

Then to protect the whole puzzle, paint each piece with mod podge to give it a protective coating. This process make take a little time, but it makes a custom puzzle for an Alzheimer's or dementia resident for very little cost.

Paper Mache Box
submitted by Lauretta Kaldor on December 20, 1999

Size of Group: 6-8

Equipment: PVA glue mixed with water 50%, scrap paper, small card box that holds eight tea bags, poster paint, brushes, varnish

Objective: make a small paper mache box to hold pens or nick - nacks decorated with poster paint and finished off with a clear varnish.
To experience an opportunity to make and create.
To develop an awareness of ways of recycling packaging and paper

Description:

1. tear paper into strips
2. immerse each strip into glue mixture and paste over outside of box until all outside surfaces are covered.
3. allow to dry and repeat twice making three layers of decoupage on the outside.
4. cut out a square of paper to cover bottom inside of box.
5. paint the outside and inside with bright poster colors and allow to dry.
6. apply varnish

Check out some books at the library on Matisse. Show the clients copies of Matisse cut-outs from the books. Talk about color and shapes. The object is to encourage the clients to create their own cut-outs using the same style as what Matisse used - only relating the shapes and colors to their personal experiences or feelings or goals etc. A good way to start this project is to ask the participants to write 5 positive characteristics and 3 not so good characteristics on a sheet of paper. It is from this list of eight words that the clients would create their cutouts. The cut-outs would be a sort of character portrait.

I have had much success with this exercise. It takes minimal supplies: many colors of construction paper (bright colors if possible) glue stix, poster board and imagination. Time: approximately. 2 hours to complete the project.

Kids especially love this art exercise and they also love to describe the meaning of their work to others.

COLLAGE IDEAS

We all seem to use collage in Rec Therapy programs. Here are a few collage ideas. The treatment or leisure ed aspect of the program is left up to you.

THEMED COLLAGE- invite participants to draw pictures based upon a single theme.... Christmas, space, the 1940's, happy memories, pets, Valentine's Day, etc. Instead of drawing the pictures, cut out pictures and words from a magazine.

HANDS- trace hands on the paper. Have each participant "autograph" their name in or by the hand.

FACES- If you have a cartoonist on hand have him draw each participant's face on the paper. Participants then finish the picture by coloring the face and even adding miniature bodies to the head. You can transfer a silhouette of the face by having the participant sit their head near a sheet of paper on the wall and shining a light onto the head. Trace the shadow of the head on the paper.

ENLARGEMENT- This is a great idea which can involve many individuals

1. Obtain a picture of an animal (jungle scenes work great).
2. Make a Xerox copy of it and block the picture into one inch squares. On the back, number each square in sequence. Make sure to make a 2-sided copy of this picture. Now cut the copy along the lines into one inch squares.
3. Give each participant a piece of that square and an 8 by 8 inch sheet of paper. Write the number of the small square on the back of the large square also.
4. Instruct each person to transfer and enlarge the picture from the small square to the large square using black & gray paints. (You may use color markers).
5. When all blocks are completed, take the large squares and re-build it like the small picture (using the numbers on the back helps).
6. Tape all the pieces together and you have a giant reproduction of the smaller picture.

Experiment with different pictures and even with colors. In re-building the picture, your group can focus on group work, cooperation, and communication.

Torn puzzles

Size of group: 2 to 12

Equipment: paper and makers, crayon, or pencils

Directions: Invite participants to draw a picture trying to use as much of the white space as possible. When everyone's drawings are finished, have them tear or cut the picture into an agreed upon number of pieces. For lower functioning groups, 5 to 10. For higher functioning group, maybe 25 to 40.

Have each person pass his/her torn picture to another player who then tries to reassemble it. You can make it competitive with the first to reassemble the picture being the winner or non-competitive in which participants who are having difficulty getting help from their neighbors.

Expected Outcome: You can use this activity to facilitate discussion on leisure activities (especially if you have participants drawing pictures of recreational activities), to provide mental stimulation, to promote cooperative skills (if puzzle assembling is done as a group).

Jig Saw Portraits

Size of Group: up to 8

Equipment: camera, film, cardboard, glue, scissors/art knife, puzzle patterns

Description: Have participants take pictures of each other, individually or as a group. After the picture is developed, paste picture onto a piece of cardboard. Cut the picture into various size pieces.

Concerns:

1. confidentiality- due to confidentiality, some facilities may not be able to do this activity as described
2. safety- be sure to cover safety basics when using and Exacto knife or other sharps
3. photography- for facilities with dark rooms photo development is not a problem. Overnight or 2 day development can get expensive. Other services, though cheaper take too long. Plan this activity keeping this in mind.

Expected outcome: development of a new leisure skill and interest in photography, socialization, feelings of fun

Size of Group: 1 to 8

Equipment: leaves with interesting shapes or patterns, paint, brushes, sponges, paper

Focus: leisure skill development, increasing repertoire of leisure skills, calming activity

Description:

1. soak up paint with the sponge and set it on a plate
2. press the vein side of the leaf onto the sponge
3. place the leaf on the paper, paint side down
4. press the leaf carefully to transfer the design to the paper

Suggestions: give participants opportunities to improve their skills in paint transfers. Then provide them with canvas panels or nice greeting card quality papers. They can create their "master piece" on the more expensive canvas panels or create many greeting cards to mail to friends and family members.

Alternative: Rather than using a sponge, the splatter method can be used.....

1. place the leaf on the paper
2. dip a little of the paint on a stiff brush
3. pull back on the brush with fingers and splatter the leaf & paper
4. a better method of splatter painting is to take window screening and simply brush over the screen with the leaf and paper underneath it.

Discussion: What activities help you to relax? Explore your feelings during this activity and check to see if you felt relaxed or maybe stressed. Did this activity help you relax?

Expected Outcome: Participants will learn a new craft idea and add to their repertoire of leisure interests and skills. Participants will learn to use calming activities to help them feel relaxed.

Size of Group: 1-6

Equipment:

• small to medium sized plastic cups or bowls
• masking tape
• paint brushes
• light or medium wood stain

Objective:

• Pt will demonstrate increased attention to task
• Pt will experience increased self-esteem due to assured success of project
• Pt will demonstrate ability to appropriately share space and materials
• Pt will learn new leisure skill

Description: Patients will tear off masking tape in small strips or pieces and use them to entirely cover the outside of their cup or bowl, overlapping and crinkling the tape as much as possible along the way (the more wrinkled the better). Then the patients will use the paintbrushes to spread the wood stain all over the tape using thin coats. Patients can use as many coats as they feel necessary. It really does look like "leather"!