Sometimes, there isn’t much to do outside because of the weather or limited mobility, so a senior may end up getting cooped up inside. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! There are many indoor activities for seniors to enjoy while keeping an active mind and body. Just because it’s a rainy day or there isn’t much to do outside doesn’t mean you can’t have fun inside!

Below is a list of fun indoor activities for seniors to enjoy:

1. Arts and Crafts

There isn’t a better way to express your creativity and emotions than through the arts! Not only are arts and crafts a good medium to express yourself, it also boosts confidence and hand to eye coordination in seniors. Painting, sewing, scrapbooking, quilting and drawing are all good arts and crafts for seniors to participate in.

2. Indoor Swimming

One of the best physical activities for seniors is swimming because it is a non-weight bearing form of exercise which also eliminates the risk of accidental falls. In addition, the core and body posture are improved through swimming. Of course, the pool can be indoors, playing some music will make the activity even more fun!

3. Card and Board Games

A great activity for seniors to do indoors is play board games and card games. Not only are board and card games fun to play, they encourage us to use our essential cognitive skills. This is crucial for seniors to help maintain the parts of their brain responsible for complex thought and memory functioning.

4. Movie Nights

Everyone loves to settle down and watch a movie, particularly if popcorn and pop is involved! Consider playing old movies that seniors will relate to more. However, seniors will enjoy new movie hits too, depends on the audience entirely!

5. Religious Service

Of course, religious services are not for everyone, but many seniors enjoy the community and meaning associated with religion. For some, religious service has been a regular routine for many years, continuing on the tradition is very important to them.

6. Shopping

When the weather is poor, sometimes a great option is to go to the mall and shop around. Your wallet will get a work out but so will your body! Walking around malls is a great way for seniors to get some exercise into their day and find something new for themselves or a loved one.

7. Indoor Dancing

One of the most popular indoor activities for seniors is dancing, this is probably because dancing is so much fun! Many retired seniors enjoy socializing through various dance forms such as ballroom, zumba and tango. So no one feels left out, hiring an instructor to teach seniors how to dance is an excellent idea.

8. Puzzles

A great way for seniors to activate their minds is by doing puzzles because it activates the brain’s problem solving skills. If you want to do a puzzle for your next activity, consider getting a specially made puzzle for seniors that has larger pieces for seniors with declining vision.

Other puzzles, such as sudoku and crosswords, are great indoor activities as well. These puzzles are particularly ideal for seniors because they are often in the daily newspaper which seniors are familiar with. They also engage critical thinking skills which help seniors engage and maintain their brain functioning.

9. Reading

Everyone needs a little downtime now and then, what better way to get some quiet time in than by reading! Seniors tend to thoroughly enjoy reading as it is something they have done throughout their life. In addition, reading is yet another way for seniors to keep their minds active.

10. Online Classes

As the old saying goes, you should never stop learning! In fact, when you’re older, you have the opportunity to learn about topics that you never had a chance to learn about before. If you’ve always wanted to learn about something, now’s your chance, may it be gardening, investing, writing, history, you name it!

11. Volunteer or Charity Work

Seniors often enjoy giving back to their communities since they have the time to. Two ways seniors can do this is by volunteering for a local organization or assisting a charity with work. It can be very rewarding to seniors to help out the community!

12. Journaling

Writing is an enjoyable indoor activity for seniors that also stimulates their minds. For seniors, journaling is an excellent way to reflect on old memories and reminisce earlier times in their lives. Not only that, journaling is a good way for anyone to express themselves in private, something that everyone needs from time to time.

13. Cooking

Making food is an enjoyable activity for people of all ages, including seniors. The best part about cooking is that you get to enjoy a delicious treat at the end of the activity! Baking is another option too which can be especially fun around the holidays.