Senior Friendly Activities for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is just around the corner! Have you planned a special outing for your Dad yet? If not — don’t worry! We’ve assembled a list of activities to help inspire you as you plan this year’s special day. Whether you are on a tight budget or not, we believe there’s an event for everyone.

Before diving into the list below, we want to mention that it is totally normal for Father’s Day to be emotional. Your Dad might be coping with the fact that he is less physically active than he was in the past, or that he no longer works at the job he loved. He might be widowed or mourning the loss of a child, or he might miss his own Dad.

Whatever feelings he experiences, it’s okay for Father’s Day to be simple and low-key. It’s most important to be sensitive to your Dad’s emotions and share kind words, even if it just means watching reruns of his favorite sitcom and eating lunch.

Bowling

If you’re looking for an indoor activity in an air conditioned environment, bowling is a great option. In addition to actual bowling, you can play games in arcades, order food at the snack bar, or even do karaoke!

Prices depend on the location and company, but generally do not exceed $30 per lane per hour. Always check with the businesses near you for senior discounts and other promotions.

As a quick reminder, you should be prepared to help your Dad change into bowling shoes. Also, bowling alleys sometimes play loud music and show bright screen projections, so keep that in mind for those with hearing or vision sensitivities.

Cooking Class

Whether your Dad likes cooking five course meals or prefers frozen pizza, he might really enjoy a group cooking class! There are lots of different kinds of classes available, including bread making, desserts, sushi, homemade pasta, and much more.

Prices depend on the company or individual hosting the class, and run the gamut from $25 per person all the way up to $100 per person. The average class lasts about 2.5 hours, and students are paired with one another.

Groupon and LivingSocial are good places to look for discounts on cooking classes. If you’re looking to splurge, Sur la table has a cooking class on Father’s Day, but it costs $75.

Volunteer Together

Giving back to the community with your Dad can be a really rewarding experience. There are many different kinds of organizations that need help. Try and pick an activity with your Dad by asking about his favorite causes and how he might contribute his skills. Many older adults still want to make a difference in the world while feeling needed and purposeful.

Volunteering activities include:

• Fostering shelter cats or dogs
• Working at a soup kitchen
• Helping to garden at historic sites
• Organizing games for children in hospitals
• Making first aid kits for homeless shelters
• Tutoring children in need

Visit a State Park

If you know the weather is going to be pleasant on Father’s Day, consider spending part of the day at a local state park with your Dad. You could organize a picnic, play board games and enjoy the scenery. Bring your camera and take some family photos at a scenic viewing point, or peruse the gift shop for small souvenirs and gifts. Bird watching and fishing are also great activities to do together at parks.

Prices vary for entry to state parks but usually do not exceed $10; however, keep in mind that parking and guided tours cost more. Parks should also have a senior citizen discount.

Museum

Browsing art with your Dad can be intellectually stimulating and even therapeutic. Many museums throughout the United States have created programs for patrons with short and long term memory loss. One such program is SPARK! which allows people with dementia to enjoy art in a comfortable setting while guided by trained docents.

Also, most museums are accessible and disability friendly, making them a great option for less mobile people. There are many different kinds of museums, so it’s helpful to identify the kinds of experiences your Dad finds rewarding. Research at the Smithsonian Institution identified four main types of museum experiences:

• Object experiences: seeing beautiful things
• Cognitive experiences: learning new things
• Introspective experiences: imagining other times
• Social experiences: watching others

Talk to your Dad about what kinds of experiences he most enjoys, think about art he owns in his home, and compare local exhibits to choose the best option.

Live Music

Listening to music with an older parent can be a really rewarding experience, especially if they have memory loss. Music represents a powerful way for people with dementia to fondly recall earlier times in their life. Many researchers are currently studying the ways in which music impacts the brain. While we do not yet have specific evidence and answers, we know that participating in musical activities leads to stronger social ties.

There are many different ways to experience music with your Dad on Father’s Day. You could check out local concerts on Eventbrite, visit your local community center, or attend a student recital at a nearby music school or university. Student recitals are much more affordable than concerts at larger venues, and it’s exciting to discover talented young musicians. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, for example, offers free admission for all student concerts. As an added plus, student concerts are usually not very crowded, so you can sit in the front row!

For more ideas about senior friendly activities on Father’s Day, visit our website and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Please note: this post originally appeared on the Ayuda Care blog.