Memory game activity for seniors

Cereal box cut-outs memory game activity for seniors

When it comes to boosting the memory, nothing works better than a memory game activity. Keeping your brain active and engaged may help guard against mental decline. Some researchers even believe stimulating brain activities can aid in generating new brain cells. There are so many memory games available now on IPads, computers, and other electronic devices but we find that the tactile part of the games we present here are more fun and engaging than dealing with a machine.

We suggest following this up with an ice cream party with choices of some good cereal toppings such as granola, Cocoa Puffs, or Captain Crunch.

Who is this suitable for

Any senior with good eyesight (even if corrected). If a senior has any vision impairment, you can cut out the whole front of the box and use a larger area to lay out the pieces.

How many can participate

This can be for one, two, or more players. Each table should not have more than four people. Make more sets of cards for other tables if you have more people. For each activity supervisor, assign them to no more than three tables depending on the cognition levels of your seniors.

What you will need

Cereal boxes
Scissors (or a larger hole punch)
Small prizes in a grab bag such as small candies, pens, small hand creams, other trinkets. Make the prizes either yummy or useful.
Ice cream and about 3 cereal toppings (optional)

Getting ready

Ask your caregivers or other employees to bring in empty cereal boxes (or other food boxes) that they have. The brighter the colors, the better. Even better if they are old favorites that 80 somethings will remember (Cheerios, Corn Flakes, etc.)

Step 1

Open and flatten out your old brightly colored cereal, and other food, boxes. Choose about 6 different solid colors and cut out 2 pairs of same-size squares or circles from each.

Step 2

Gather your seniors. This is best for tables of four or less.

Step 3

Lay out your cut outs colored side down. Give instructions to the table, demonstrating as you go along:

“We are going to match these cards like this. First, you turn over a card. Then, you turn over a second card to see if you got a match. If you get a match, you choose a prize out of the grab bag.”