Elementary School Craft Projects: Brighten Nursing Home Residents

Here's a great opportunity to allow kid's to be creative and have a chance to give to others as well. Want a great project for giving in a preschool or elementary class? How about in a Sunday school class or home school family? Do you and your kids simply enjoy doing crafts at home?

Consider sharing your crafts and letting them brighten the days of shut-in nursing home residents.

When I taught preschool, December was an exciting month for arts and crafts activities. Parents enjoyed the mounds of holiday spirit that accompanied their children home each day, although I am sure it was a bit overwhelming at times.

Visiting my own grandmother in the nursing home, I noticed how abundant her own room was with signs of the season and little touches that let her know she was loved and thought of often. Walking down the hall, other rooms had bare doors, bulletin boards and windowsills.

Some nursing home residents don't have family or don't have family close by. Consider making cards or decorative paper wreaths to share with others. If you are not familiar with a nursing home personally, talk to friends or get out the phone book. Talk to an administrator about what you'd like to share and how many you will bring. I have never had anyone turn these offers down. Deliver or mail your gifts and the staff will know who is most in need of a cheerful gift. Here are two great project ideas.

Poinsettia Candy Cups:

You'll need Dixie cups, craft sticks, red, green and yellow paper, scissors, glue and peppermint candy.

Kids can cut out poinsettia petals and leaf shapes and arrange and attach to craft sticks.
Fill the Dixie cups with the candies and insert the flower. Filling the cups with candy is a fun opportunity for kids to practice counting skills. Residents love these cups because it gives these something to offer their guests.

Decorated Tissue Boxes:

You'll only need boxes of tissues, cheery artwork and notes.

Tis' the season for coughs, sneezes and runny noses. Boxes of tissues are a practical gift for a nursing home residents room but decorating them with artwork, stickers and a cheery note make them meaningful as well as practical.

Make A Cheery Tape: