Easter provides a wonderful opportunity to bring joy and excitement to nursing home residents.

As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to engaging in meaningful activities that provide fun and connection.

For nursing home managers, it’s important to create events and games that are not only enjoyable but also easy for residents to participate in, regardless of their mobility or health status.

These Easter celebrations can also foster a sense of community, bringing residents together and promoting interaction among them.

Activities can help lift spirits, spark memories, and even stimulate mental and physical health.

Additionally, involving staff and family members in these events can create a warm, inclusive atmosphere, making it an event that everyone can look forward to and enjoy together.

Best Easter Activities and Game Ideas for Nursing Home Residents

1. Easter Egg Hunt

Instead of the traditional outdoor setting, you can hide colorful plastic eggs filled with small treats, candies, or thoughtful notes in accessible areas throughout communal spaces like lounges or dining rooms.

The eggs can be placed at varying heights or in plain sight to ensure everyone can participate, regardless of mobility.

Residents can team up with staff or family members to search for the eggs, making it a social and inclusive event that fosters community and excitement.

2. Easter Crafting

Set up a crafting station with materials for making Easter decorations like bunny ears, colorful Easter eggs, or spring flower wreaths.

As residents work on their projects, they can express their creativity, which helps stimulate their minds and provides a sense of accomplishment.

The finished crafts can be displayed around the nursing home, adding a festive atmosphere to the community.

Crafting not only enhances fine motor skills but also fosters social interaction.

3. Easter Bingo

Instead of using traditional numbers, replace them with colorful images of Easter eggs, bunnies, flowers, and chicks.

This adaptation makes the game more visually stimulating and ties into the holiday spirit.

The familiar format of bingo ensures that residents feel comfortable and can easily participate.

To increase excitement, offer small prizes for winners, such as spring-themed treats, trinkets, or decorative items.

This activity promotes social interaction, encourages friendly competition, and provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy a relaxed, holiday-themed game together.

4. Egg Rolling Contest

Residents can roll plastic eggs across the floor using a spoon, their hands, or even a stick, depending on their abilities.

For residents with limited mobility, staff or family members can assist by guiding the egg or providing gentle support.

To keep the contest exciting, offer prizes for various achievements, such as the most successful rolls or the fastest time.

5. Easter Storytime

Organize a session where staff or volunteers read Easter-themed stories or passages that focus on themes of renewal, hope, and spring.

The soothing nature of storytelling promotes relaxation and creates a sense of connection among residents.

This activity not only fosters a sense of community but also helps preserve cultural and personal traditions, enriching the holiday experience for everyone involved.

6. Easter Parade

Encourage residents to dress up in festive outfits such as bunny ears, pastel-colored clothing, or flower crowns.

This allows them to express their creativity and celebrate the holiday in a fun way.

Invite family members and staff to join in the festivities, creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Set up a small runway or designated area where residents can walk down, with staff and family cheering them on.

This activity fosters a sense of pride, connection, and community, making Easter extra special for everyone involved.

7. Easter Egg Decorating

Provide a variety of materials such as paints, markers, and stickers, allowing residents to decorate Easter eggs according to their preferences.

You can use real eggs for those who enjoy more traditional crafting, or plastic eggs for easier handling and fewer concerns about breakage.

This activity serves as a calming and enjoyable way to engage residents, allowing them to express their creativity.

8. Spring Planting Activity

Provide small pots or garden containers, along with flowers or plants that residents can plant and care for.

This activity offers sensory stimulation through the touch, smell, and sight of the plants, fostering a calming and nurturing environment.

Residents can also personalize their pots by decorating them with Easter-themed stickers, paint, or other creative materials.

Not only does this activity encourage physical movement, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment as residents watch their plants grow over time.

9. Easter Memory Lane

Easter Memory Lane is a heartwarming activity that allows nursing home residents to reminisce and share cherished Easter memories.

Encourage residents to recall old traditions, special Easter meals, or memorable family gatherings.

Staff can facilitate the conversation by asking open-ended questions that prompt reflection.

To make the experience even more meaningful, create a “memory board” where residents can pin up old photos, write about their favorite Easter experiences, or share stories.

10. Egg Toss Game

An egg toss game is a fun and lighthearted way to engage residents with good hand-eye coordination.

Use soft, squishy eggs or bean bags to ensure safety while keeping the game enjoyable.

Residents can toss the eggs to each other, or try to toss them into buckets or baskets from varying distances.

This simple activity encourages friendly competition, laughter, and social interaction.

It also provides an opportunity for residents to work on their coordination and motor skills in a relaxed setting.

To make it even more enjoyable, consider offering small prizes for successful tosses or creative challenges.

11. Easter Themed Puzzles

Set up a variety of jigsaw puzzles featuring spring scenes, Easter eggs, bunnies, or floral patterns.

Puzzle-solving helps promote cognitive function, memory, and focus, providing a gentle mental workout.

It can also be a social activity, with residents working together as a team to complete the puzzles.

This collaborative effort encourages communication and fosters a sense of accomplishment once the puzzle is finished.

Plus, the beautiful Easter imagery adds a festive touch, enhancing the holiday spirit for all involved.

12. Easter Music and Sing-Along

Organize a session featuring Easter-themed songs, hymns, and springtime melodies, inviting residents to sing along or simply enjoy the music.

Music has a powerful emotional impact, lifting spirits and promoting relaxation.

To make the session even more engaging, consider inviting local musicians or a choir to perform live, creating a festive and interactive atmosphere.

Singing together fosters a sense of community, encourages participation, and provides a delightful way to celebrate Easter with shared joy and music.

13. Easter Trivia Quiz

Create a list of questions based on Easter history, traditions, and spring-related facts.

You can ask multiple-choice or open-ended questions to suit various cognitive levels.

Providing small rewards or treats for those who answer correctly adds an element of excitement and friendly competition.

The quiz stimulates memory, encourages mental engagement, and sparks conversations among residents as they share their personal Easter experiences.

14. Easter Afternoon Tea

Set up a beautifully arranged table with pastel-colored treats, such as finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and Easter-themed cakes or pastries.

Residents can enjoy these light snacks while sipping tea or other beverages in a cozy, festive atmosphere.

This gathering provides the perfect setting for relaxation and conversation, allowing residents to connect in a comfortable and refined environment.

It also brings a sense of tradition and sophistication to the Easter celebration.

15. Easter Cupcake Decorating

Set up a decorating station with plain cupcakes, colorful icing, and a variety of toppings such as sprinkles, edible flowers, and pastel-colored candies.

Residents can enjoy the process of decorating their cupcakes, adding their unique touches to each one.

This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills, while also offering a fun, hands-on experience.

Afterward, residents can enjoy their delicious creations, making it a rewarding and tasty way to celebrate the Easter holiday together.

16. Bunny Hop Dance

Staff can lead the way with simple, easy-to-follow movements, encouraging residents to join in at their own pace.

The gentle, low-impact nature of the dance makes it accessible for residents with varying mobility levels.

It promotes light exercise, helping improve flexibility and coordination, while also boosting mood and creating a sense of joy.

The fun, silly movements of the bunny hop bring laughter and festive energy, making it a delightful way to celebrate the holiday and engage residents in a shared activity.

17. Egg Filling Relay Race

Set up teams of residents and provide each team with a set of plastic eggs. Fill the eggs with small items like treats, notes, or small toys.

The goal is for team members to take turns filling their eggs the fastest, passing them off to the next person in the relay.

This activity fosters camaraderie and friendly competition while promoting light physical activity, such as bending, reaching, and handing off the eggs. It’s a lively, engaging way to celebrate Easter together.

18. Easter Card Making

Provide a variety of crafting supplies, such as colored paper, stamps, markers, stickers, and embellishments, so residents can create personalized Easter cards for their loved ones or fellow residents.

This activity fosters creativity and provides an opportunity for residents to engage in a meaningful and thoughtful gesture of kindness.

Making cards can also evoke fond memories of sending greetings during the holiday, and the finished cards can be shared, creating a warm and festive atmosphere in the nursing home.

19. Easter Egg Bowling

Easter egg bowling is a fun and non-strenuous activity perfect for residents of varying mobility levels.

Set up a simple bowling alley using lightweight pins and plastic eggs. Residents take turns rolling the eggs toward the pins, aiming to knock them down.

This game promotes gentle physical activity, encouraging coordination and concentration.

It’s easy to adapt for residents with different mobility needs, and can be enjoyed individually or as part of a group.

20. Easter Afternoon Movie Marathon

Choose a selection of Easter-themed films or springtime classics that are both uplifting and enjoyable.

Set up a cozy viewing area with comfortable seating, and serve popcorn, candy, and Easter-themed snacks like pastel-colored chocolates or bunny-shaped cookies.

Residents can unwind and enjoy the movies together in a calm, social atmosphere.

This activity provides a perfect opportunity for relaxation after a day filled with engaging games and crafts.