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After all the excitement and busyness of the holiday season, January can seem like a bit of a letdown. I find this to be especially true here in the North where the long, cold winter looms before us. That’s why it’s important to come up with a wide variety of creative activities that our residents will enjoy.
A favorite activity is celebrating National Bird Day on January 5. That’s because it allows us to enjoy a bit of the outdoors without actually going outside.
Learn about birds
- Do you know which bird is your state bird? Find out where your residents have lived in the past, then look up the bird for each state. It’s even more interesting to check a book out of the library with big, colorful bird photos and find out what each bird looks like.
- Share a bit of bird trivia. For example, did you know that the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backward?
- Study birds from afar. Purchase a bird guide for your region of the country, then keep a log of the bird species you see in your area. A simple set of binoculars makes this project even more enjoyable. You’ll probably discover a few residents who are interested in continuing this activity throughout the year.
- I know your residents will enjoy these live webcams where they can check in on the daily activities of a variety of critters, including birds. This is especially entertaining in the spring when eggs hatch and birds feed their young.
Share a snack
Your residents will need a snack after all that learning. Here’s a recipe for birds’ nests that you can make and enjoy together. Instead of chocolate eggs, you can also use M&Ms or jelly beans.
While your residents enjoy their snacks, you can entertain them with these hilarious bird jokes and puns. (What kind of math do birds like? Owlgebra!)
Feed the birds
A favorite activity of our residents is making pinecone bird feeders to hang in the trees in the courtyard. One option is to collect the pinecones while out for a walk with a group of residents in the fall. Then save the cones for this January activity. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase giant pine cones in craft stores or on Amazon.
To do the project, simply mix 1 cup of creamy peanut butter with 1/2 cup of cornmeal. Spread the mixture over the pinecones. (Popsicle sticks work well as spreaders.) Next, sprinkle birdseed generously over the peanut butter. After they dry a bit, you can tie a piece of twine or string around the pinecones, then hang them in trees. It’s a messy (but fun!) project, so be sure to cover the table thoroughly with newspaper.
Host a competition
My favorite activities are those where employees can participate along with the residents. One option is to hold a bird call competition. Sites like YouTube offer lots of videos that can teach almost anyone to do bird calls. Perhaps some family members of the residents will even choose to take part.
To up the ante, be sure to offer a few fun prizes for the best callers. Of course, you’ll want the prizes to be donated by businesses; read this article to find out how to ask for donations.
Explore your artistic talent
It’s also fun to offer a class where residents can learn how to draw birds. Here’s a site that offers step-by-step lessons on how to create a large variety of birds. In addition, if you provide colored pencils or watercolors, residents can add the finishing touches to their masterpieces.
You just might discover hidden artistic talent among your residents. If nothing else, these classes often erupt in good-natured laughter.
For lots of other special days to celebrate, be sure to check out my little-known holiday activity guide.
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