The Complete List of Activities for Seniors

Physical Activities

Staying physically active is important for your physical health and mental wellness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),1 immediate benefits of activity include better sleep and reduced anxiety. The long-term benefits include better heart health, improved bone health, good balance and coordination as well as reduced risk of depression and dementia.

Seniors who are physically active are healthier than their inactive peers. Follow the advice of your doctor and choose one or more of these activities to keep your body strong and your brain healthy. Also, if you live in a senior living facility, check their offerings.

While some of these activities can be done individually, they’re especially appealing for groups. Reduce that nagging sense of isolation and loneliness and feel like part of a team when you participate in sports like pickleball or tennis, for example. Seniors are joining walking clubs and hiking meetups in large numbers to avoid being sedentary and to stay connected.

• Pickleball: The fastest growing sport in our country is popular with Baby Boomers as it’s easier to learn than tennis and is played on a smaller court. Pickleball is a social activity and less stressful on muscles and joints. Boost your endorphins and your cardiovascular system when you play pickleball.
• Tennis: Tennis requires endurance and determination, and it gives you a solid cardio workout. Playing tennis also keeps the mind agile.
• Golf: Golf is a low-intensity sport and you can usually go at a slow pace. An excellent social activity, golf also gives you exposure to the outdoors.
• Hiking: Hike through beautiful places in nature and keep your body moving. Perks include having an opportunity to bird watch and sight see. Choose the level of intensity best for you; some seniors enjoy light walks while others like to scale mountains.
• Camping: Camping appeals to many who want to connect with nature. Breathe the fresh air and spend time simply enjoying the outdoors. Vigorous sports aren’t the only way to enhance your health.
• Swimming: Seniors can swim outside or through indoor programs, allowing for year-round enjoyment. Check out offerings at local senior centers or YMCAs. Many assisted living facilities also have pools for their residents. A great aerobic exercise, swimming doesn’t add pressure to your hips or strain the knees.
• Biking: Biking along paths is an excellent way to spend time outdoors. It’s a low-stress opportunity to connect with nature and get in some all-important exercise without overly exerting yourself.
• Self-defense classes: Whether for practical needs or just for sport, self-defense programs help older adults stay in shape and remain mentally aware. Choose from options like martial arts or Tai Chi. Many self-defense classes exist with options for all intensity levels.
• Dance: Dancing is a great way to ramp up your activity level. Consider ballroom dancing, tango, salsa, or waltz lessons with a partner. Country dancing (or line dancing) is a popular form of dancing for groups of older adults. When you dance, you’re being social and also cognitively stimulating your brain as you learn the steps to the dances.3 Many seniors still enjoy dancing to live rock ‘n' roll bands, too.
• Exercise: Enrolling in exercise programs is an excellent way to stay fit. Group exercise programs are not only fun, but very effective. Choose those that fit your physical needs and interest you. Remember that you can also take free fitness classes online through AARP. There are several on YouTube as well.

Here are some examples of popular exercise programs:

• For aerobics, consider a running program, Zumba, Jazzercise, or water aerobics. These are excellent ways to stay fit and get your heart rate up.
• Stretch classes operate with a lower level of intensity, yet still provide excellent results. Consider options like yoga, Pilates, and basic stretch classes.
• Many seniors also do weight training. Consider ways to build strength and muscle mass slowly. You might even want to work one-on-one with a personal trainer who is experienced in working with seniors. Don’t forget strength-training remains important for seniors because we lose muscle mass as we age, and we can improve bone density and functional abilities by lifting weights.

Memory and Mental Activities

Keeping your brain sharp is just as important as keeping your body in good shape. In recent years, we’ve learned that neurons are not only found in the brain, but can be found throughout our bodies. Scientists know now that our body systems — like the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems — interact with one another. So, your body and mind work together.

Older adults can choose from a wide range of senior programs designed to keep the brain sharp. Participate in activities alone, with a neighborhood group, or in your senior living facility. Here are some suggested activities to boost your brain power:

• Crafts: Crafting can be simple or complex. Make usable items for pleasure, to sell, or simply to give as gifts. From knitting and woodworking to creating beautiful wreaths, there are several options to choose from.
• Computer: Enjoy a course on how to build websites, code, or use AI (artificial intelligence). Learn how to trace your family tree. Find educational programs through Senior Planet and elsewhere.
• Art: Choose from painting, making pottery or jewelry, flower arranging, and other classes. Find a medium you love and then explore it. Color in adult coloring books, a low-key way to de-stress and use both sides of your brain.
• Music: Have you always wanted to learn an instrument? Music is good for the mind and soul. One study found just listening to music can reduce agitated behaviors and increase pleasure in dementia patients who live in nursing homes.6
• Trivia: Playing a challenging game of trivia with friends or doing Wordle with your grandchild every day can help you stay mentally sharp. Build your intellect and also maintain your close relationships.
• Reading: From mysteries to science fiction and poetry, consider the books that you passed up reading and the subjects you’re eager to read about. Get caught up, join a book club, or start one.
• Games: Games can be played on your own or with a group. Some game ideas for seniors include:
  • Crossword puzzles: Complete a puzzle on your own and challenge your mind.
  • Bingo is a favorite among senior groups, especially when there are prizes to compete for.
  • Jigsaw puzzles improve cognition, visual-spatial reasoning, short-term memory, and problem solving, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.7
  • Board games are enjoyable for all ages and make for a fun group activity.
  • Card games are especially popular with older adults.
  • Video games have grown in popularity with seniors. About 47 percent of players are over the age of 50. Research shows playing video games enhances short-term memory, cognitive flexibility, well-being, and positive emotions.8

Recreation and Leisure Activities

You’ve worked hard all of your life and now you can finally slow down and focus on leisure time. But what fun things are there to do? Older adults are taking part in a variety of recreation activities like:

• Gardening: Spending a few hours a day in the garden can be the perfect thing for older adults. Gardening clubs are also popular.
• Traveling: Sign up for a short bike tour or bus tour, which are available in various cities. It’s a fun way to travel, especially if you’re on a budget and are seeking a weekend getaway. About 63 percent of seniors plan to travel locally or within the U.S. in 2024.
• Pets: Many seniors find having pets provides a sense of companionship like nothing else. Most assisted living facilities allow pets, too. Dog owners have reduced rates of depression and cat owners have reduced stress.
• Chat rooms: Online forums and chat rooms are a good way to meet people from around the world right at home.
• Cooking: Cook on your own and try new recipes. Find tutorials online or use cookbooks. Cooking classes on ethnic foods, healthy eating, and sustainability are popular.
• Cruises: Many older adults love cruises. They are versatile and packed with everything you need. Multigenerational tours are in high demand as grandparents want to travel with their kids and grandkids. The price tag for cruises ranges from affordable to luxury.
• Dating: Seniors can learn everything to know about dating as an older adult from our Senior Dating 101 guide. Meeting new people and experiencing new adventures with someone who cares for you can add a lot to your life.
• Fishing: For seniors who enjoy quiet, reflective time on a boat or like to patiently angle for a bite from the dock, fishing is a calming activity. Some may prefer more challenging adventures on a charter boat.
• Watching movies: It’s never been easier to watch a variety of movies. You can stream old and new movies at home or check out what’s happening in the theaters.

Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living

Seniors who reside in assisted living facilities will find many enriching activities available as well as numerous craft and leisure offerings. Be sure to check into the activities available at assisted living centers near you.

Activities for Seniors With Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Those who are suffering from memory loss need activities that won’t make them anxious. Choose activities that are physical, such as swimming or walking. Seniors in this group may also benefit from puzzles, easy card games, and dances that have simple steps. You can also bring back memories with older movies and music from their younger years.

Activities for Blind Seniors

Those who have limited vision might find themselves unable to continue doing things they love. Choose from social activities in groups ranging from chair yoga to Tai Chi to walking groups. Many other activities, like knitting or playing card games, can also be taken up.

Activities for Seniors in Nursing Homes

For those living in nursing homes, it’s best to participate in activities that are geared toward their physical limitations and individual abilities. While some residents might be unable to do intense physical activities, for example, seniors at these facilities might enjoy water aerobics and dancing. One-on-one time with friends playing games or watching movies together is also socially advantageous. Crafts that are popular include scrapbooking and making greeting cards, paper flowers, and suncatchers.

Holiday-Based Senior Activities

Seniors enjoy participating in holiday related activities. If you’re a senior (or helping with respite care or home care for a senior), these ideas might spur your imagination about activities to do on special days.

• Memorial Day is a day to remember. Activities might include remembrance-style celebrations, craft time making red, white, and blue items, or even storytelling opportunities.
• St. Patrick’s Day can be a day of shamrocks, baking green treats, and eating Irish foods. Recite Irish poetry or learn an Irish dance.
• Earth Day offers the opportunity for seniors to honor the planet. Seniors can create a window box, plant flowers or a tree, spend time recycling, or reuse and recycle items through a craft project.
• Veterans Day is a day to honor our soldiers. Bring in local military members for a talk, attend a parade, or write thank-you notes to show gratitude to those who served.
• Valentine’s Day can be playful and fun. Design Valentine’s Day cards for everyone in the senior living center, create chocolate-themed desserts, or enjoy a romantic dinner with candlelight.
• The Fourth of July offers an opportunity to celebrate. Focus on a patriotic theme with flags and throw barbecues with burgers, corn, and watermelon. Celebrate our country’s history and watch fireworks.
• For Mardi Gras, seniors might like making masks with glitter and feathers. Use coins and lots of green, gold, and purple beads. (Remember, dementia patients prefer familiarity and routine, so masks and masquerades might make them anxious.)
• Halloween is often about the kids, but many seniors enjoy decorating, carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, and perhaps even watching a frightful movie or two.
• Thanksgiving is about family. Whether or not a senior has family or close friends nearby, older adults can enjoy a warm meal with turkey and stuffing. Choose activities like writing gratitude letters. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a group, and bake pecan and apple pies.
• Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are important holidays to celebrate for many in December. Choose activities that make them memorable, such as creating gifts to give others, writing cards for loved ones, and even baking cookies together.

Seasonal Senior Activities

Choose activities that are right for the season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• In the summer, enjoy drinks, barbecues, and picnics. Stroll in the park or ride your bike during cool mornings. Those in senior living facilities delight in field trips to the beach or lake. Excursions to nearby historic sites and museums are also popular.
• During the winter, take an invigorating, brisk walk with your pets. Walk inside malls, do chair yoga, or reminisce about family by watching home movies.
• In the fall, enjoy the crisp air and changing colors of the leaves on a nature walk. Knit a sweater, have s’mores around a fire, and tell ghost stories. Plan a road trip with friends, as travel is usually less expensive during this shoulder season.
• During spring, smell the roses. The Institute on Aging offers these spring-related suggestions for aging loved ones: feed ducks at the pond, conduct a spring cleaning, paint a birdhouse, visit a farmers market, pot herbs, and attend an open-air