For adults in independent senior living, participating in fun Halloween crafts and games such as Halloween bingo, costume parties, and pumpkin painting can be great ways to enjoy the unique holiday.
While your trick-or-treating years may be behind you, that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy Halloween as a senior living in the Midwest hotspot of Kansas City, MO. 15 percent of U.S. adults even claim Halloween as their favorite holiday overall.
So how should you celebrate the holiday, and what can you do to make the most of it in senior living? In this guide, we'll give you our list of fun Halloween activities for adults.
While children and adults of all ages enjoy celebrating Halloween in one way or another, it can be particularly challenging to determine how to throw a senior Halloween party and to find suitable activities.
Many seniors have specific accessibility needs and health requirements that can make planning a senior Halloween party more difficult. Dietary restrictions may also prevent seniors from indulging in candy and sweets the way that those in younger age groups are able to.
Ensuring great accessibility, providing a safe environment, taking dietary needs into consideration, and providing fun activities for seniors to enjoy will be key to making the holiday fun for older adults.
During a senior Halloween event or party, playing games can be a great way to have fun and foster social connections. The options are endless, and just about any type of game can be fun for seniors, assuming that accessibility and safety needs have been taken into consideration.
One of the best Halloween games for seniors is Halloween bingo. Playing bingo with cards that feature characteristic Halloween symbols, such as witches, ghosts, and vampires, can be a lot of fun. Similarly, a game of Halloween trivia can also be a great idea and can help to stimulate the mind.
More active options include pumpkin bowling, in which a small pumpkin will be used to knock down small bowling pins. You may also want to consider Halloween charades or a scavenger hunt.
In addition to playing some of the Halloween-themed games mentioned above, consider other Halloween activities as well. Here are a few activities to add to your list.
While carving pumpkins is the traditional choice during Halloween, seniors can opt for a fun and safe alternative instead. Simply painting pumpkins with markers or paint can be a great way to take part in the spirit of Halloween without any safety risks or sharp knives.
Painting pumpkins can be a lot of fun and can let seniors sharpen their creative muscles.
Painting pumpkins isn't the only crafty activity that seniors can enjoy during Halloween. Consider other crafts and art activities for seniors to make the holiday particularly enjoyable.
Making a small witch or ghost figurine, creating DIY Halloween decorations, or simply making Halloween paintings with spooky subject matter can be great options for having fun during the Halloween season.
Dressing up in Halloween costumes can be one of the best intergenerational activities for celebrating the holiday, but it doesn't have to be overly in-depth to be a lot of fun.
Dressing up in simply costumes or simply wearing Halloween colors such as orange and black can both be great ways to celebrate the holiday while talking with family and friends, indulging in snacks, and participating in games and other activities.
Candy and sugary sweets may not be the ideal dietary choice for certain seniors. However, there are other festive foods that seniors can enjoy instead.
Beyond sweets, consider sharing foods that won't add too much sugar to a senior's diet. This could include:
To make an adult Halloween party a success, consider offering party favors such as small Halloween decorations, drinkware, socks, or pens. Giving guests something to leave with can help them have a more memorable and enjoyable experience.
Candles can also be a great party favor for seniors during this holiday. They also mesh well with the witchy, spooky vibe, so giving out candles is a great option to consider.
Many outdoor activities can be a lot of fun for seniors during Kansas City senior events in the fall. Consider making an outdoor craft, such as a scarecrow, painting pumpkins, or playing lawn games such as cornhole, to enjoy the outdoor fall weather and to celebrate Halloween or another fall holiday outside.
Sharing drinks, snacks, and other foods outside can also be useful for fall celebrations in retirement and can allow you to enjoy time together as the leaves start to fall.
To throw a successful fall-themed party, consider what makes fall unique as compared to summer and other seasons. Pumpkins, scarecrows, and fallen leaves are all symbols of the fall season and are a few of the elements you can add to dinnerware and decorations to celebrate the season. During Halloween, you can add spooky things such as ghosts and witches to the mix as well.
You can also use these elements and others to plan craft and game activities and ensure seniors fully enjoy a fall-themed party.
Not just a holiday for younger generations, there are plenty of fun Halloween activities for adults as well. Playing games, making crafts, and dressing up are all great ways to celebrate the holiday.
If you want to enjoy every holiday as a senior, consider joining an independent living community in Kansas City. With fun activities, a welcoming community, and excellent amenities, you'll love Garden Village.
Want to learn more about senior living? Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we have to offer seniors in Kansas City, MO.