As an Activity Coordinator, I’m constantly on the lookout for new, easy, and cost-effective ideas to engage our residents. With just a few clothes pegs, we can create enjoyable and stimulating games suitable for all levels of abilities.
Game 1 – Washing Day Game
For this fun activity, you’ll need clothes pegs in six different colors, numbered from 1 to 6. The objective is to roll the dice and hang the corresponding colored clothing piece on the clothesline using the numbered pegs. The first player to hang out all their clothes wins the game!
Materials:
- Clothes pegs in six different colors (at least 6 pegs of each color)
- One standard-sized or slightly larger dice
- Printed on colored card, preferably laminated. In six different colors (matching the colors of the pegs)
- Piece of string long enough to serve as a clothesline
- Tape to secure the ends of the string to the table top
Instructions:
- Number each coloured peg from 1 – 6.
- Prepare one normal-sized dice or a slightly larger one.
- Print out six pieces of clothing for each player, matching the colour of each clothes peg, and laminate them for durability.
- Get a piece of string long enough to hang six pieces of clothing on, and tape each end to the table or a stable surface.
- Each player takes turns rolling the dice. Whatever number they roll, they must find the peg with the corresponding number and match it with the same coloured piece of clothing.
- Players then peg the matching piece of clothing onto their clothesline.
- Continue taking turns and rolling the dice until all players have hung out all their clothes on their line.
- The first player to hang out all their clothes wins the game.
Game 2 – Matching Colour Game
This matching game is ideal for memory care and works wonderfully at the activity puzzle table. You can make it as simple or challenging as you like. Match single colors with colored pegs or add a little complexity by matching pegs to three different shades. A budget-friendly option is to collect paint shade cards from hardware stores (often available for free) and attach the same shades to clothes pegs using blue tac, a glue gun, or other adhesive.
Materials:
- Coloured clothes pegs in various shades (You can use paint shade cards from the hardware store or create your own)
- Coloured cards or paper to attach the shades on
- Adhesive (e.g., blue tac, glue gun) to attach the shades to the clothes pegs
Instructions:
- Collect paint shade cards from the hardware store or prepare coloured cards or paper in various shades.
- Attach each shade to a clothes peg using adhesive, ensuring that each peg corresponds to a specific shade.
- Set up a game table or activity puzzle area for the residents to play.
- Depending on the level of difficulty you want to present, you can either have residents match single colours with the corresponding pegs or match pegs to three different shades of the same colour.
- Encourage the residents to play the matching colour game and switch to different activities every 15 minutes in memory care.
This activity is not only enjoyable but also budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for engaging residents in memory care.
Game 3- Clothes Pegs in the Basket
For this sorting game in memory care, place colored cards around the edge of a small basket. Fill the basket with colored pegs and encourage participants to place the pegs on the matching cards attached to the basket. This activity is not only enjoyable but also great for cognitive stimulation.
Materials:
- Small basket
- Colored cards or paper
- Colored clothes pegs
Instructions:
- Attach colored cards or paper around the edge of a small basket. Use different colors for each card to create a matching game.
- Fill the basket with colored clothes pegs. You can use pegs of various colors to add more variety to the game.
- Instruct the participants to pick up a clothes peg from the basket and match it to the corresponding color on the cards attached to the basket.
- Encourage the players to sort and match the pegs according to the colors on the cards.
- Play the game with a timer to add excitement and challenge the participants to complete the matching as quickly as possible.
- This activity is especially suitable for memory care, as it helps with color recognition and cognitive stimulation.
- You can modify the game by using different shapes or patterns on the cards, depending on the abilities and preferences of the participants.
These clothes peg games are versatile, engaging, and perfect for seniors in aged care. Give them a try and watch the fun and excitement unfold!
