Festive fall activities for older adults in NJ

The hot summer days are now behind us. As we enjoy cooler temperatures, crisp fall air, and the beautiful changing foliage, it’s a great time to get out and get active with the older adults in your life. If you’re looking for festive fall activities for seniors in NJ, we’ve got several great suggestions that the whole family will enjoy together. 

After spending much of the last 18 months indoors, it’s time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air with your loved ones. With Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s a huge range of local activities you can enjoy with the older adults in your life. 

Fall Pumpkin Patch 

It’s time to get your house ready for Halloween, and choosing the right pumpkin is a great way to get in the festive mood. You’ll find wonderful pumpkin patches in cities across New Jersey, and whether you want to have a pumpkin carving contest or make a delicious pumpkin pie, visiting your local pumpkin patch is fun for the whole family. Many pumpkin patches also have wacky-shaped pumpkins that are spooky for Halloween!

So head on over to your local pumpkin patch and grab some pumpkins for carving, and a few more for some yummy pumpkin pie. You can also roast the pumpkin seeds – they make a delicious, healthy snack.

Family-Friendly Crafts 

Crafting is something people of all ages can enjoy. Similar to cooking, it’s a great way to spend quality time with your senior parent and it gives you a chance to let your creativity shine. Some of our favorite family-friendly crafts include:

• Fall wreaths. Nothing says, “Fall is here!” like a beautiful fall wreath hanging on your front door. Take a trip to your local craft store and stock up on supplies like pine cones, fall-colored leaves, and mini-pumpkins.
• Thanksgiving centerpieces. You probably have fond memories of sitting down to a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with your family – do you also remember the centerpiece? Whether you prefer something simple like a fall-scented candle in a glass casing, or something more elaborate like a flower arrangement, a centerpiece will give your table that warm, autumn feeling. 
• Knitting. Scarves, sweaters, gloves, and other autumn to winter must-haves are all great knitting projects, and they make wonderful gifts around the holidays. 

Indoor Gardening

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you can’t still garden. Indoor gardening is a  popular activity your family can enjoy together. You can plant a little herb garden on your kitchen windowsill, or propagate some seeds in a small tray that mom or dad can take with them to their assisted living community. 

Succulents are notoriously hardy, so if you want some low-maintenance plants that can tolerate the colder temperatures, consider starting a succulent collection. Speak with someone at your local garden center who can recommend which plants or seeds will do well this time of year. 

Make Decorations

In addition to the Thanksgiving-themed crafts we talked about above, making Halloween decorations is a super fun festive activity for you, your kids, and the older adults in your life! Some of our favorite Halloween decorations are:

• Scary jack o’lanterns. Showcase your pumpkin carving skills and bring to life a scene from your favorite scary movie. A scary jack o’lantern on your front porch is sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. 
• Creepy cookies and spooky cupcakes. Get creative with some Halloween baking, and share your scary homemade treats with family and friends. Or even with trick-or-treaters this year!
• Spooky pine cones. How many pine cones do you see on the ground while on a relaxing evening walk? Using supplies from your local craft store, you can easily transform these pine cones into little Halloween characters. A tiny felt witch hat, a pair of googly eyes, some little pointy shoes – and voila! You have a great Halloween decoration. You can make ghosts, witches, and other festive creatures. 

To find out more about how we will be celebrating the fall season with our senior residents, give United Methodist Communities a call today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/

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