While it’s always a little sad to see summer go, the beauty of Marquette County in the fall season is something everyone is likely excited to see. Even senior citizens enjoy the fun of fall colors and knowing trick-or-treaters are around the corner. For seniors and those who care for them, it’s a great time to do some activities to celebrate the season because there is no age limit on enjoying the fun of Halloween and autumn pastimes.
If you’re a caregiver, it’s easy to include your loved one in some October fun. The following activities are easy to do and can lift the mood of seniors as the darker days approach.
1. Classic Scary Movie Marathon
A spooky movie is always fun, but if you can find one from a senior’s past, they are likely to be even more involved. That’s where classic movies come in. There’s something for every kind of film fan, from silly fun like The Bride of Frankenstein to movies that really send shivers down your spine, like The Haunting. With the wide selection available through streaming services and rentals, you can easily enjoy a different Halloween movie every day in October. Some suggestions include:
2. Make Spooky Treats
Before you start the film, you may want to have some treats for yourselves. From baking fall-inspired cakes, cookies, and pies to creating spooky concoctions, seniors and loved ones are sure to enjoy creating (and consuming) these fun treats. In addition to food, there are also great mocktail recipes and warm, cozy drinks to consider, such as apple cider or pumpkin punch. There are several easy-to-follow, healthy recipes that can be found online, covering everything from sweet to savory.
3. Get Crafty
Halloween is a great holiday for those who enjoy getting crafty, and spooky-inspired crafts are perfect for decorating or sharing with loved ones. Some fun crafting ideas include:
- Decorate pumpkins – You do not have to carve a jack-o-lantern, which may be harder for seniors, in order to create a fun pumpkin decoration. You can also use paints, markers, and even stickers to create fun pumpkin designs.
- Pinecone owls – All you need to make pinecone owls is a pinecone, different colored felts, googly eyes, and a hot glue gun. These decorations are great table and side table decor and can be cute, scary, and everything in between.
- Mummy mason jars – Simply wrap gauze around a mason jar, add some eyes, and you have a cute piece of decor. Add a tea light for contrast, and enjoy!
- Construction paper crafts – From ghosts to witches, pumpkins, and everything in between, all you need for fun is some craft paper, scissors, markers, and, if you’re feeling really festive, glitter! You can create fun images for your walls, windows, and even table decor.
4. Share Scary Stories
A nail-biting activity for Halloween is sharing spooky stories. Set the mood by turning down the lights, playing a crackling fire in the background, or using flashlights for a fireside feel. Create your own stories, use prompts, or create a story together. This is the perfect activity for friends and family to get into the holiday spirit.
5. Go for a Drive
You don’t have to go very far to see the lovely colors during autumn in the Upper Peninsula. Maybe looking out the windows at the neighborhood trees is enough, but a drive to the woods might be a great diversion for a senior looking to catch some of the incredible leaves before they hit the ground.
Have Fun With It!
The kids aren’t the only ones who should be having fun this October. Including seniors in the fun can help them feel more connected to their community and give them something to look forward to all month long. Marquette Home Care helps clients across Marquette and the surrounding area, including Harvey, Gwinn, Negaunee, Skandia, and Ishpeming. Call us for more information at 906-361-8022. We can’t wait to celebrate this spooky season with you!