Get ready for a lively Oktoberfest celebration with your residents! Memory Lane Therapy offers a fun-filled day of Oktoberfest activities – from music games and activities to delicious treats. It’s the perfect way to bring the spirit of Oktoberfest to your aged care facility and create lasting memories.
Oktoberfest is an annual German celebration for worlds largest beer fest and traveling funfair! It is a great theme day to celebrate in aged care and there are many fun activities you can do based around this event! Don’t worry, they don’t all have to be about beer drinking – we have provided some helpful ideas below!
When to Celebrate Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest, a vibrant celebration of Bavarian culture, stretches from mid-September to the first weekend of October. While the traditional festivities take place in Munich, aged care facilities can capture the spirit any day during this period! Let’s raise a glass and immerse our residents in the fun of Oktoberfest with engaging activities, delicious treats, and a touch of German flair.
Oktoberfest Themed Decorations
Decorate the activity room like a German beer house with one or two long tables for people to eat and drink at with bright colored tablecloths. Print out German flags and decorate with cardboard cutout beer mugs and pretzels.
Print out decorations for tables, walls and add some colorful balloons hanging in the German flag colors black, red and yellow.
Dress Up for the Occasion
Get ready to transform your staff into a festive bunch! Women can embrace the spirit with charming dirndl-inspired outfits – think comfy dresses adorned with colorful aprons, and playful braids or pigtails to complete the look.
Men can channel their inner Bavarian with knee-length shorts, striped socks pulled high, and sturdy braces holding it all together. Top it all off with a jaunty hat (if available) for an extra touch of Oktoberfest!
Food, Drinks & Music!
Transport your residents to the heart of Bavaria with a delightful German luncheon! Set the scene with lively German music playing softly in the background. Then, tantalize their taste buds with a feast of authentic German fare.
Don’t forget the perfect finale – a slice of decadent Black Forest cake! To complete the immersive experience, if you have access to steins, proudly display them and offer a selection of beverages. For a touch of authenticity, serve some German beer alongside cool drinks or refreshing fruit punch – all perfect for raising a toast in these iconic mugs!
Quiz Time
Run a German Quiz after lunch and finish with a singalong such as “Roll out the Barrell”, “There’s a Tavern in the Town” and the staff can stand out the front and do a display with actions to the” Birdie Dance” with the music and everyone clapping to end a great day!
