Javelin

This was a fun game we invented as part of a 'Summer Olympics' themed week. This game is good for working on players balance and arm strength and  hand-eye coordination. 

You will need: A hula-hoop and some pool noodles

To Play: If you are able, tie string to hula-hoop and string up/hang at a shoulder level height.

 (If unable to tie the hoop into place have a staff member stand and hold the hoop out at shoulder height as far away from the body as possible - however we do like to joke that if the players hit us with the pool noodle they lose points!). 
Players stand 6 feet away and throw the pool noodle trying to get it through the hoop. Each player gets 2 attempts per round. 10 points if the 'javelin' /pool noodle goes through on the first attempt. 5 points if on the second attempt. The player with the most points at the end of 3 rounds is the winner! 

Variations: If the people playing are unsteady or have balance issues this game can be played where each person sits in an arm-less chair to take their turn. 

You can also play this game adjusting the hoop to different heights for each round.  

Dice Bowling & Dice Gambling

This is a fun active game you can play with a small to medium sized group. 


DICE BOWLING

For this game you will need: 2 large foam dice and a hula-hoop. 

To Play:
Place the hula-hoop at one end of  the room. Have the first player stand  8 (or more) feet away from the hoop and roll/bowl the dice one at a time to try and land them in the hoop at the other end of the room. 
The number face up on the dice is the amount of points earned, if the dice lands within the hoop, the number shown on that die is doubled and added to the total score.
At the end of 3 rounds, whichever player has the most points accumulated wins the game! 


Variations:  For more of  a challenge you can also play a version of this game where you only count the points of the dice that land in the hoop. 

You can play this game with multiple hula-hoops we typically play with the regular one hoop worth double points, one worth triple points rolled and one hoop worth 25 points (or any number value you decide on)!



DICE GAMBLING 

For this game you will need: 2 large foam dice

To Play: 
Sit players in a circle or semi-circle. The first player rolls the dice, the total of the two dice is then added up. The player can choose to roll again or keep the points they have. Players can roll up to 5 times in a row, but if they roll a 1 the player loses all the points they made in that round. 
Each player does the same, after 3 rounds the player with the most points accumulated wins the game! 

Boggle

Boggle is a great game to play if you love word finding and giving your brain a challenge.
Of course this isn't a new idea or invention, but I've made up these Boggle printable sheets with a photo of the game grid/letters (The instructions to play are on each sheet).

There are six game grid photos within the worksheet linked here! 

 Boggle Worksheets 

Happy Playing! 

Adapted Scrabble

At the day program there were always a few folks who loved to play Scrabble, but we found it a very time consuming game, it can be hard to stay engaged in it while waiting for your next turn and it limited the amount of players that could be involved. 

Hence the invention of white board Scrabble!

For this game you need: A dry erase board, dry erase markers, and Scrabble letters

To Play:

1. With a small to medium sized group (4-12 recommended), set up a white board where every one can see it.
2. Choose 7 letters at random out of the bag of Scrabble letters OR if you don't have letters handy, have yourself or group members choose 7 letters from the bag. 
Tip: Try choosing 3 vowels and 4 consonants as your letters, this allows better chances at making words and gives more sense of success.
There's nothing more defeating than getting a truly awful hand of letters in Scrabble.

3. Next, write your 7 letters at the top of the white board.
4. Have players come up with as many 3 or more letter words as they can using those letters. You can only use the letter once per word!
Take turns or have the players shout out the words they have made, write them on the board to keep track and when you think you've finished, count up how many words were made.

For more of a challenge: Give the players a time limit or a specific number of words to come up with.

For the Techies: This is very similar to the game 'Word Cookies' that can be downloaded onto Smart phones or tablets!



You can also play this game individually with pen and paper. I've made up a blank sheet with instructions in which you can write in your own letters.
 It is linked here: Blank Scrabble Sheet

For a few printable pre-created sheets  click here:

Scrabble Sheet 1

Scrabble Sheet 2

Scrabble Sheet 3

Scrabble Sheet 4
Scrabble Sheet 5
Scrabble Sheet 6
Scrabble Sheet 7 

About This Blog

Hey there!


This blog is the result of my desire to help other Rec. Therapists, Activity Aids, Program Coordinators etc., in finding great activity ideas, game adaptations, printable sheets and downloads created by yours truly!


About me:
I graduated with my Social Service Worker diploma in 2015, then went on to graduate with a post-diploma certificate in Recreation Therapy in 2017.

Since finishing college I have been working at a seniors day program, so many of these activities and ideas are geared towards seniors and specifically those with dementia or other cognitive and memory issues, but have the potential to be adapted for other age groups, ability levels and interests - after all, that's what rec therapy is all about! :)