5 Easy & Fun Labor Day Activities for Seniors

Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy time off work, and celebrate the unofficial end of summer with family and friends. Be sure to include senior loved ones in your weekend plans. Social activities, including family time, are essential when it comes to the mental, physical, and emotional health of aging adults. Here are some fun ways to spend time with seniors on Labor Day.

Host a barbecue

Gather your family and friends this weekend for a good old-fashioned backyard barbeque. It’s a great way to get outside and take advantage of the warm weather before the fall season sets in. It’s also the perfect setting for different generations to spend quality time together. Set up some simple outdoor games that family of all ages can participate in such as cornhole or lawn bowling. Don’t forget to provide seating in the shade and plenty of cold beverages to ensure your senior loved one stays cool and hydrated if the weather is hot.

Get out and enjoy nature

Spending time outdoors in nature is the perfect way to unwind with loved ones this Labor Day. Fresh air and sunshine will help everyone to relax and recharge. Try low impact outdoor activities to prevent seniors from feeling fatigued. Go to the beach, have a picnic in the park, or spend the day fishing at a nearby lake. The peaceful surroundings will allow you truly connect with your loved one and spend quality time with no distractions.

Get crafty

If your loved one has mobility issues that make it difficult to get out and about, bring some Labor Day fun to them! Simple art projects are an activity everyone in the family can enjoy, giving seniors the chance to connect with the younger generation. Here are some Labor Day craft ideas:

Make a patriotic wreath for the front door using a wire wreath and strips of red, white and blue fabric.
Create festive firework art using bendable straws, paint and glitter.
Make this patriotic wind catcher using paint and paper plates.

Attend local events

Research listings online or in the paper to find out what’s going on in your area this weekend. Many communities host traditional Labor Day events such as a parades and festivals. Other popular Labor Day attractions include art & wine festivals and free outdoor concerts. Some zoos and museums even offer free admission during Labor Day weekend. Most festivities around town will offer something to everyone, regardless of age, so the gather the whole family and celebrate together.

Stay cool

Here in the California, the weather tends to stay hot well into early fall. If temperatures in your area are expected to be high for Labor Day weekend, staying indoors might be way to go. But, you can still have fun and spend quality time with your senior loved one despite the heat! Find indoor, air conditioned activities such as going to the movies, getting ice cream, or taking advantage of Labor Day sales at your local mall.

If you need help caring for your loved one, contact Family Matters In-Home Care for a free consultation. Our caregivers will spend time with your loved one, provide companionship, activities that are mentally stimulating, and will cook nutrition meals and do light housekeeping. Most importantly, our caregivers will give you peace of mind that your loved one is being cared for with the proper support.

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.