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Do you know how to play a game of marbles? Even though marbles aren’t as popular now as they were years ago, I’ll bet you can find residents who know how to play.
Traditionally, Word Marbles Day takes place on Good Friday, so the date varies from one year to the next. That’s because it all began with a marbles tournament held near London on Good Friday in 1588.
In 2022, the event falls on April 15. However, you can always adjust the date if it interferes with your religious Good Friday activities.
Learn about marbles
Begin by telling your residents about the long and fascinating history of marbles. For example, did you know there’s an entire group of slang terms that go along with a game of marbles?
You’ll learn everything you want to know about the history of marbles in this article from iMarbles.com. For a shorter version, check out this list of random marble facts.
Play a game
Find a few residents who enjoyed playing marbles during their childhood and ask them to teach you how to play. You’ll probably get a few variations since there are dozens of ways to play the game.
If you need further instructions, you can find four versions of a marbles game here. (You can also play marbles on a table instead of on the floor.)
Take a guess
Fill a glass jar with marbles and invite people to guess how many it contains. You could also do this as a fundraiser. Allow residents to guess for free, but charge other people (staff, volunteers, visitors) one dollar for each guess. You’ll want to offer a fun prize, but be sure to get something donated, so it doesn’t take away from your earnings.
Need marbles? Post about your project on social media. I’ll bet you can find people with old marbles tucked away in their homes who will happily donate them.
Get crafty
There are so many pretty crafts you can make with marbles. Check out these ideas from the DIY & Crafts website. (My favorite is the suncatcher.) Note that some of these crafts require flat marbles. You can find them at craft stores, pet stores (for aquariums), and many dollar stores.
Go on a hunt
A popular activity in many communities on World Marbles Day is a scavenger hunt. Hide marbles throughout your nursing home and provide clues to help people find them.
You can offer this as a fun activity just for your staff. Or, better yet, invite staff to pair up with residents to find the marbles.
Enjoy a snack
At some point during your busy activities, you’ll need to take a break. In line with today’s theme, why not try a marbled dessert? You can find lots of delicious recipes on the Taste of Home website. (My favorite is the blueberry swirl cheesecake.)
Are you looking for other fun activities to share with your residents? Check out these little-known holidays for each month of the year.
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