Indoor Activities for Seniors

Let’s start with one of the most popular and enduring indoor activities: reading! For many seniors, this is the time of life in which they’ll finally have time to read and tackle that list of books they’ve been meaning to get to. The world of books is a big and diverse place, and there’s something for everyone of every ability level, every type of interest, and every personality. It’s a rich and rewarding hobby, and it can be social–book clubs, trips to the library, or just casual discussions with friends or caregivers bring a group element to an otherwise solo activity.

Board Games for Older Adults

Board games are another fun, accessible, and scalably activity. Board games can be as simple as a fun and casual game of Candyland with friends–always good for a laugh–or as complex as the intellectual depths of chess or go. There are board games for groups or even just for one person, and in addition to classics like Monopoly and Battleship new games are hitting the market all the time. Many communities have board game clubs, which offer social opportunities and a chance to meet new friends. No matter your age or ability, there’s a board game for you!

Arts and Crafts in Our Golden Years

Creativity never ends, and it’s never too late to develop our creative sides. Arts and crafts are a fun and enjoyable way to do that at any age, but especially for seniors who–as with reading–may just be finding time to explore these activities. Watercolor painting is a popular choice due to its affordability and accessibility. Abstract designs are welcome, so newcomers and painters with limited manual dexterity can still make some stunning personal art. Collage, scrapbooking, and clay modeling are all similarly accessible and open to seniors of many ability levels and with many different sets of personal needs. Try one or all of these and find what you enjoy the most!

Older Adults Enjoy Exercise, Too!

A good workout is a wonderful thing at any age! Physical activity keeps our bodies healthy and limber, reduces stress levels, and keeps our minds acute. For seniors looking for an indoor physical activity, there are a host of options: yoga, Tai Chi, or a light stretching and resistance band exercise routine are all good choices. It can be as simple as spending some time up and moving, or as complex as a sport or a weight lifting regimine. There’s almost always a physical activity that a given senior can enjoy, so take this time of your life to explore new activities and get some good exercise while you do it.

The Internet and Seniors 

The internet, IT, and computers are a wonderful world for seniors to explore. Like the rest of the activities on this list, involvement can be scaled to the individual’s ability and interest levels: from playing simple games on a device to learning a programming language there’s something for everyone. As with reading and board games, computer usage can be either an individual or a social activity depending on what you’re looking for, and there’s always something new to try, learn, and do. If you–or a senior in your life–are looking to acquire an evolving skill set or explore a new interest, computers may have the answer.