Nature Activities
Nature can provide multisensory stimulation through the visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory systems. Being within nature also allows for individuals to also have increased participation in activities and engagement with the world around them (Hendriks et al., 2016). A study conducted within the dementia population found that the important aspects of nature that promoted increased quality of life included natures ability to provide pleasure, relaxation, the feeling of being fit, free ,and useful, the social aspects of nature, the beauty of nature and memories that came along with nature activities (Hendriks et al., 2016).
01
Nature Walk
Materials: None!
Directions: Accompany the individual(s) on a walk around the neighborhood, local parks, local beaches, or nature trails.
Hints for success:
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Choose a location that will be of interest to the individual(s). If they enjoyed hiking, take them on a light trail through a state park or if they loved the beach take them for a walk along the boardwalk or shore.
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Check out the area before going with the individual(s) to look for handrails, ramps, benches, hills, etc.
Grade Up:
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Increase the length of the walk
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Increase difficulty of terrain ( sand will be more difficult to walk on, and nature trails that have roots and steps will also be more difficult)
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Decrease the number of seated rest breaks
Grade Down:
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Decrease the length of the walk
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Take rest breaks, choose areas that will have benches or rest areas throughout walk
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Decrease the difficulty of terrain (flat and clear areas with no hills)
Activity Addresses:
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Sensory stimulation
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Balance
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Ambulation/functional mobility
02
Outside Scavenger Hunt
Materials: None! (Optional: cones)
Directions: Create an item/category to search for while on a walk such as “birds”, “the color orange”, “flowers” , or any other item/category that may be of interest and that will be seen on the walk. Accompany the individual(s) on a walk around the neighborhood, park, beach, etc. and have them search for the item/category. You can either count for them or have them create tally marks for each item they find (this will also serve as a visual cue for what they are looking for/doing).
Hints for success:
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If you are doing this activity locally and cannot think of a category, you can utilize cones and set them up outside around the house or neighborhood. Have them search for the cones and collect them. It will be easier and work best if cones are all the same color to reinforce the repetition of searching for the “orange cone”.
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Pick items in nature that you will be sure to see multiple of throughout the walk
Grade Up:
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Pick more difficult items to find
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Increase the length of the walk
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Increase difficulty of terrain ( sand will be more difficult to walk on, and nature trails that have roots and steps will also be more difficult)
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Decrease the number of rest breaks provided
Grade Down:
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Pick common items to find (i.e. trees, cars, etc.)
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Decrease the length of the walk
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Take rest breaks, choose areas that will have benches or resting areas throughout walk
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Decrease the difficulty of the terrain (flat and clear areas with no hills)
Activity Addresses:
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Sensory stimulation
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Balance
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Visual scanning
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Memory recall
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Ambulation/functional mobility
03
Bryna. (2023, September 25). Activities for older adults: Making a bird seed ball. Hummingbird Therapeutic Activity Program. https://hummingbirdproject.net/activities-for-older-adults-birdseed-ball/
Bird Feed Ornaments
Materials: 24-gauge craft wire (1 yard per ball) , yard or garden twine, wild bird seed, lard or suet, and waxed paper
Directions:
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Cut one yard of wire and enough yarn/twine to hang the bird feed ornament
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Fold the wire back and forth, looping it and bunching it up to create a loose wire ball
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Tie the twine securely to one of the loops
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Warm the lard or suet in the microwave until it is soft (but not runny or melted!)
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Mix softened lard or suet together with the seeds in a large bowl
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Mash the seed and lard mixture into and all around the wire ball with your hands. This should continue until the wire is completely covered
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Place bird feed ornaments in the freezer on waxed paper and allow for them to harden
Hints for success:
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Complete the activity with them, visually demonstrating how to complete each step.
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Play soft music in the background
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Complete outside if possible to increase sensory stimulation
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Ornaments may melt in hot weather!!
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Do one step at a time!
Grade Up:
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Give individual(s) directions to read and follow
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Have individual(s) complete multiple ornaments
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Try a new birdfeeder activity as well if they enjoy the task!
Grade Down:
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Set up the task for them and have them complete the easier steps
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Read or simplify the instructions to the individual(s)
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Provide visual, verbal, and tactile assistance during task
Activity Addresses:
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Direction-following
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Sensory stimulation
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Upper extremity range of motion
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Fine motor coordination
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Grip strength
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Pinch strength
04
Gardening
Materials: Garden beds or pots, seeds/plants, soil, garden trowel, and gardening gloves
Directions: If the individual(s) enjoys gardening, set up a small garden for them to work with. This can be an indoor or outdoor garden. They can plant flowers, vegetables, succulents, herbs, or whatever they will enjoy the most! They can continue to watch their plants grow and water them everyday!
Hints for success:
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Help set everything up so that all items are present at the start of the activity
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If the individual(s) are wheelchair bound or unable to spend long times kneeling over, a raised garden bed may be the best option.
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Play music in the background!
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Spend time with them during the task and help them out!
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Provide a hat and sunscreen to protect them from the sun, and supply water throughout the task for hydration.
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Decide if you think it would be best for the individual(s) to start with seeds or plants
Grade Up:
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Have them dig the hole and mix the dirt
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Create a bigger garden
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Have them complete the majority of the task
Grade Down:
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Have them assist you with the task, completing easier steps such as dropping the seeds/plants
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Use a smaller garden or singular pot
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Provide rest breaks
Activity Addresses:
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Upper extremity range of motion
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Upper extremity strength
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Sensory stimulation
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Grip strength
05
Pulling Weeds
Materials: Weeds and gardening gloves
Directions: If the individual(s) enjoyed doing yard work in the past or is looking for a way to help and feel useful at home this can be a great activity. Set up the individual outside with a flower pot, rock garden, or any area that has weeds. Have them pull out the weeds and place them in a garbage bag.
Hints for success:
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Have padding to put down for their knees if they will be kneeling for an extended period of time. Also provide a hat and sunscreen to protect them from the sun, and supply water throughout the task for hydration.
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If they are wheelchair bound or need to be seated during the task, look into raised garden beds and have the individual weed the raised garden beds.
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Play music in the background!
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Spend time with them during the task and help them!
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Ask them for their help (you can create a reason you are doing this task!)
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If it doesn't come out perfect or “right” it's okay! It is all about having them engage in activities and feel helpful!
Grade Up:
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Increase time spent doing the activity
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Have them utilize just their hands
Grade Down:
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Give them a garden trowel to utilize
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Provide rest breaks
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Decrease time spent doing the activity
Activity Addresses:
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Grip strength
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Upper body strength
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Upper body range of motion
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Sensory stimulation
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Pinch strength
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Visual scanning
06
Raking/Blowing Leaves
Materials: Rake or Leaf Blower, and Leaves
Directions: If the individual(s) enjoyed doing yard work in the past or is looking for a way to help and feel useful at home this can be a great activity. Set up the individual outside with a rake and garbage bag or leaf blower (depending on their safety, physical health, and decision making skills). Have them rake the leaves and place them in a bag or blow the leaves off the yard.
Hints for success:
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If the individual(s) really enjoy the task there is no problem with dumping the leaves they just collected on the lawn on another day or time to have them do it again (just do not let them see you do this!)
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Provide a hat and sunscreen to protect them from the sun, and supply water throughout the task for hydration.
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Play music in the background!
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Spend time with them outside during the task
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Ask them for their help (you can create a reason you are doing this task!)
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If it doesn't come out perfect or “right” it's okay! It is all about having them engage in activities and feel helpful!
Grade Up:
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Increase the time spent doing the activity
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Have them do a large area of the yard
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Have them rake the leaves and also place it in the garbage bag
Grade Down:
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Provide rest breaks
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Decrease time spent doing the activity
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Help them by raking with them or holding the garbage bag open for them or placing the leaves in the garbage bag yourself
Activity Addresses:
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Grip strength
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Upper body strength
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Upper body range of motion
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Sensory stimulation
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Balance
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Ambulation/functional mobility
07
Bird Watching
Materials: Journal or birdwatching book, and hopefully birds!
Directions: Set up the individuals outside on a bench/chair or inside next to a window. Try to position them within eyesight of a birdhouse, birdfeeder, bird bath, or nest. Let the individuals relax and look for birds in the area. When they see one, they can document it in the journal or try to find which one it is using a birdwatching book.
Hints for success:
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Set them up in an area that commonly has birds
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Use binoculars for birds that are far away
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If they would like you can play some soft music in the background for them
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Provide a hat and sunscreen to protect them from the sun, and supply water throughout the task for hydration
Grade Up:
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Try to identify the birds
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Try to capture photos of the birds
Grade Down:
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Have them call out when they see a bird
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Assist them in determining what kind of bird it is
Activity Addresses:
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Visual Scanning
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Sensory Stimulation
08
Collecting Seashells/Shark Teeth
Materials: None!
Directions: Go with the individual(s) to the local beach and walk along the shore while searching for seashells and/or shark teeth. Collect any nice shells or shark teeth you find and place them in a bag or jar (you can do a craft with them later!).
Hints for success:
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If the individual(s) are wheelchair bound or unable to ambulate along the beach for a long period of time, you can fill a bucket up with sand and have them search through the sand for shells. This is a great sensory task!
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Provide a hat and sunscreen to protect them from the sun, and supply water throughout the task for hydration.
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Create a goal of collecting “X” amount of seashells or shark teeth
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Have the individual hold the bag of collected items as a visual cue to what they are doing
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This is a great activity for individuals who loved spending time by the water
Grade Up:
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Increase length of walking
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Look for shark teeth (smaller and harder to find)
Grade Down:
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Utilize sensory bin of sand
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Take rest breaks
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Decrease length of walking
Activity Addresses:
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Visual scanning
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Sensory stimulation
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Activity tolerance/endurance
09
Animals (Zoo, Petting Zoo, Animal Shelter, Dog Walking, and Pet Therapy)
Materials: Dependent on activity. You will primarily just need some animals!
Directions: If the individual(s) enjoy spending time with animals, there are lots of options to get them outside to spend time with them. Some options include taking them to a petting zoo, local zoo, or animal shelter. Furthermore, if you know of a well behaved small-medium sized dog, taking the dog on a walk may be a good option as well and promote physical activity. Lastly, pet therapy is a great option for groups, as many organizations are happy to volunteer their time to provide therapy!
Hints for success:
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These are great options for individuals who are interested in animals
Grade Up:
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Make the petting zoo/local zoo into a scavenger hunt to find certain animals
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Go on longer walks if walking a dog
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Ask reminiscence therapy questions during activity to promote memories
Grade Down:
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Provide seated rest breaks during ambulating throughout petting zoo/local zoo
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Walk the dog yourself and have them join you for the walk
Activity Addresses:
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Sensory stimulation
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Reminiscence therapy
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Physical endurance/ Activity tolerance
10
Fishing
Materials: Fishing Rod, Bait, Chair, and Lake/Pond
Directions: If the individual(s) enjoyed spending time on the water and fishing in the past, they still can complete this activity now. Under supervision, bring them to a pond or lake and have them cast their rod into the lake or pond. It may be a good idea to bring a chair so they can sit and relax as they wait.
Hints for success:
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Complete the activity with them, it will make it more enjoyable for everyone
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Play some light music in the background
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Demonstrate visually how to cast the rod if they cannot remember how to perform the task
Grade Up:
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Have them cast their own rod
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Complete activity in standing
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Set up multiple rods
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Ask reminiscence therapy questions to promote cognitive stimulation
Grade Down:
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Cast the rod for them and have them hold it
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Bate the line for them
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Complete activity in sitting
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If they cannot complete task, have them throw fish food into the pond and watch the fish come grab it!
Activity Addresses:
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Upper body range of motion
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Grip strength
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Activity tolerance/endurance
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Sensory stimulation
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Reminiscence therapy
