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As you plan your activities for January, here’s an event that’s guaranteed to catch your residents’ attention. I’m talking about Thomas Crapper Day on January 27.
Many people wrongly believe that Mr. Crapper invented the flush toilet. However, that honor goes to Sir John Harington way back in 1596.
Thomas Crapper, an English plumber born in the 1800s, invented several products that helped modernize the restroom experience. He also opened the world’s first showroom featuring toilets and other bathroom fixtures.
Why is this significant? Because he did this during an era when people were bashful about bodily functions and didn’t want to talk about anything related to the restroom.
I know your residents will enjoy these activities to celebrate the legacy of Thomas Crapper.
Learn about toilets
Test your residents’ knowledge of all things related to toilets with this fascinating toilet trivia. For example, did you know that most toilets flush in the musical key of E-flat?
Who ever imagined we would experience a shortage of toilet paper in 2020? But remember that people haven’t always enjoyed this luxury item. Here’s everything you could ever want to know about the history of toilet paper.
Many of us assume restrooms are similar in other countries. Share these fun facts about toilets around the world.
Be creative
Now that toilet paper is no longer in short supply, we can use it for fun craft projects. Here are a few examples. You can find even more ideas on Pinterest.
Pumpkins (You can use different fabrics for other creations such as apples, watermelons, or peaches.)
Play a game
On Thomas Crapper Day, you can use rolls of toilet paper in place of other props for games. For example, toilet paper can replace pins for a game of bowling. Or you can draw animal faces on toilet paper rolls and use them as targets with Nerf guns.
Enjoy a few laughs
I know your residents will get a kick out of these clean bathroom jokes. (Where do sheep like to play? In the baaa-throom.) Okay, some of these are pretty silly, so you’ll want to pick and choose the ones to share.
Share your stories
Strike up a conversation by asking residents these questions:
- Did you ever accidentally drop something valuable into a toilet? (Perhaps jewelry or a cell phone?)
- Do you remember when kids tipped outhouses on Halloween?
- Did you and your friends ever toilet paper a house or a tree?
- Did one of your children ever flush something inappropriate down the toilet?
- Do you remember when toilet paper came in pretty colors and patterns instead of the all-white paper we find in stores today? (Here’s why it changed.)
- Did you ever have an unusual experience while using a toilet in another country? (Maybe you didn’t have the right coins for a pay toilet?)
If you want to learn even more about Thomas Crapper, I know you’ll enjoy this book about his life. (Available on Amazon.)
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