Activity 1: Map Plotting

Resource: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txsmsoc.htm
Equipment needed: map or projector, different color tacks, and string:
Description: A large map is placed on the center of the table or on a projector. Have the
participants tack where they are from ( using diff colors to distinguish) and have them tack where
they have traveled to and connect their homeland to their places of travel with a string. Have
each participant say a memory of the place they have traveled to.
Leader Outcomes/Adaptations:
This is a good activity for individuals with dementia because it helps with stimulating memories
and reminiscing. This also helps with socialization in individuals with social anxiety disorders.
You can adapt this activity by doing it in smaller groups, should a participant feel uncomfortable
speaking aloud in front of a large group. You can also modify this activity by having people
write their memories if they arent comfortable saying them orally.
Activity 2: Pizza Makers !
Resource: http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/pizza-game.html
Equipment: None
Description: The object of the game is to get from one side of a field/gym to the other without
getting tagged by the "Pizza Makers." Two "pizza makers" are picked to be "it." The rest of the
players are "toppings. Ask the rest of the group to stand on one side of the field/gym. Assign
each player a topping. For example; Tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, etc. The easiest way is to
pick three topping and then give everybody one of those three toppings. The "pizza makers"
stand in the middle and call out a topping. The players whose topping was named then try and
get to the other side of the gym, without getting tagged by the "pizza makers". If they get tagged,
they become a pizza maker and help the other pizza makers decide what topping to call out next
and tag "toppings' as they run by.
Leadership Outcomes/Adaptations:
This activity could serve as a warm up to an exercise group/activity, a socialization activity, or as
an icebreaker. This works on not only the physical because of running, but also on socialization
because of teamwork and strategy. If playing with participants with paraplegia, the game can be
played in a gym or on a court. You can also give the pizza makers a ball to try and tag the other
participants. If playing with clients with cerebral palsy, you can make the play area smaller for
less distance to cover, and allow for breaks or less play time so that the patients do not get too
tired.
Activity 3: ABC Basketball
Resource: http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/abc-basketball.html
Equipment Needed: Basketball, hoop, (smaller 8 ft hoop or adjustable rim)
Description: This game should be played by a basketball hoop. Children sit in a large circle and
pass the basketball around the circle (like hot potato) while singing the alphabet. Whoever has
the ball when the group gets to the letter Z must go to the basket and try to make a shot. If player
makes the shot, he/she takes their seat in the circle. If they miss it, they are out of the game.
Leadership Outcomes/ Adaptations:
This activity can work as an icebreaker or a social activity. Adaptations for a population of
clients with Cerebral Palsy can be made in which they shoot a closer shot to the basket, and to a
lowered hoop, making it easier for them to shoot since the height is shorter.The same can be
done with a paraplegic.
Activity 4: Two truths one lie
Resource: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txwpq.htm
Equipment Needed: Paper and Pen
Description: Have the participants write down two truths about themselves, and one lie. Make
sure to tell them not to make the lie too obvious. Once they have finished writing their truths and
lie, have them say the 3 outload to the group. The group will try to guess which of the three is the
lie. This activity serves as a warm up activity, and makes the group of participants feel a bit more
relaxed around each other.
Leadership Outcomes/ Adaptations:
This activity works well in a group of participants who do not know each other too well. This
helps with communication skills and with socialization. If you are working with a group of
patients with a social disability, such as autism, you can divide the group into smaller groups that
way the individual or individual is more comfortable sharing. For participants who have trouble
with writing and grip, such as stroke patients or CP patients, you can use adaptive pencils or
have them say their truths and one lie orally rather than writing them down.
Activity 5: CrossOver Dodgeball
Resource: : http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/
Equipment Needed: dodgeball
Description: Instead of having to sit out, when you get hit you cross sides. The side that ends
with everyone on that side wins.
Leadership Out Comes/ Adaptations:
This activity works as a warm up activity. With paraplegics, you can change the rules to where
the ball has to bounce once before hitting the person or their chair. For people with CP you can
make the same adaptation and you can also put a time limit to the game to avoid fatigue.
Activity 6: Fear in a hat
Resource: http://wilderdom.com/games/Icebreakers.html
Equipment: Hat or box, paper and pen.
Description:
Group members write personal fears anonymously on pieces of paper which are collected.
Then each person randomly selects and reads someone else's fear to the group and explains
how the person might feel. Fosters interpersonal empathy.
Leadership Outcomes/ Adaptations:
This activity helps to create a more positive environment and helps people understand each
others fears. You can adapt this activity for people with social disabilities by splitting into
smaller groups so that participant feel more comfortable. You can also adapt this activity for
patients with substance abuse or depression and instead of talking about fears; you can put
what makes them happiest in the hat in order to keep for a positive environment.
Activity 7: Name pantomime
Resource: http://wilderdom.com/games/PhysicalActivities.html
Equipment Needed: None
Description: Each person chooses an action-word to go with their name (e.g., "Swimming
Sam"), then shows the action to the group who repeat it. Whole-body way to introduce oneself
& learn people's names.
Leadership Outcomes/ Adaptations:
This activity serves as a personal development activity and helps with socialization. You can
adapt this activity for patients with disabilities such as a stroke, CP, or any other disabilities
that may limit motor- functioning by having the participants make an animal noise with an
animal that begins with the same letter of their name. You can also adapt this activity for
patients with dementia and have them try to remember atleast 3/5 name pantomimes. This will
help with short term memory.
Activity 8: Shopping Scavenger Hunt
Resource: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txalz.htm
Equipment Needed: Scissors, sales adds, plastic Trays
Description: Collect sales ads from several news paperspapers. Pass ads and scissors out to
everyone. Also give them a list of items to search for: example-
1. tent
2. baby diapers
3. blue dress

Provide a list of about 50 items to search for. The participant would cross off the items on their
list as they find them. Items found on the hunt are placed on a plastic tray. A count is taken at the
end of the activity and the person with the most items is the winner.

Leadership OutComes / Adaptations:

This activity is good for patients with cognitive disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimers.
This activity can be timed to 5-10 minutes to help these patients stay on task. You can also use
adaptive scissors for patients like stroke patients who have trouble with grip, or have them circle
the item instead of cutting it out.
Activity 9: Sorting

Resource: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txcognitive.htm

Equipment: multiple items of different colors and shapes ( cloth, crayons, papers, toys) flash
cards, and baskets

Description: Get a basket for each participant and fill it with several different items of different
colors. On the flash cards write different descriptive words (i.e. black, white, round, square, soft,
hard, circle etc). Show the participant a card and have them select an item that matches the
description. Could be used as a game by rewarding residents with points and the highest score
receiving a prize.

Leader Outcomes/ Adaptations:

This activity can be implemented with patients with developmental disabilities such as autism so
that it helps them learn and differentiate colors shapes and textures. This can also be used in
patients who have recently had a stroke to help stimulate cognition.

Activity 10: FREEZE

Resource: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txdd.htm

Equipment: Radio

Description: Play music for participants to dance to. Stop the music and contestants must freeze for as
long as the music is stopped. They resume dancing when the music is turned on.
Leadership Outcome/ Adaptations: You can adapt this activity for children with developmental
disabilities, so it can help with staying on task and keeping focus. You can also do this in the geriatric
population as a form of exercise and help with mobility in patients with CP and MS.