After I shared my original list of five-minute dementia activities, I heard from so many caregivers who told me they were looking for more short and easy dementia activities that they could do in minutes.
I know how useful it was to have short & easy ideas ready for those moments when time is short especially when you’re caring for someone with dementia.
It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. Even a short, simple activity can brighten their day.
If you missed the first set of ideas, you might like to take a look at my original five-minute dementia activities list here for more inspiration.
Short and Easy Dementia Activities for Dementia Care
I wanted to put together a second list, of more ideas that work without repeating what I’ve already shared. But…none of these ideas are rocket science, they’re simple ideas that you probably already know about. It’s just about thinking of them in a different way and adapting them so it’s not something childish or pointless.
Let’s be honest, most of these activities really helped me out as well. So try these out!
Matching Lids to Their Containers
How many of us have a tupperware section where we have mismatched items thrown together but never have the time to organise them? Instead of letting them build up, I just used to bring a small bunch to a table and ask for help figuring out which ones match and put them together.
When I needed something to occupy mum for a few minutes this was my go to activity that worked.
What you’ll need:
A few clean containers and lids
A table to work on
Tip: Frame it as if you need the help, it’s so confusing finding the right parts, such a puzzle.
Arranging Artificial or Real Flowers in a Small Vase
I love fresh flowers in the house, but I’m not great at arranging them. We did have to move to artificial flowers when the cats arrived to avoid them eating something not good for them. But flower arranging can be as simple or creative as you want it to be. You can reuse and mix and match artificial flowers but fresh ones add a sensory element of scent and texture for a loved one with dementia.
Just take 5 minutes arranging the flowers in the vase or directly on a table. It’s quick, visual, and a lovely activity where you can admire your final result for days.
What you’ll need:
A few stems (real or artificial)
A small vase or jar
Tip: Keep it simple with just a few stems. I sometimes place them in a loose bunch first, then let my loved one adjust them until they are happy with the look.
Polishing a Small Item
This is not something I would do personally, but for my mum’s generation it was a normal thing to be polishing items especially silverware. So I just used to pull out our posh silverware and help mum to polish (careful if any concerns of ingestion or chemical hazards).
Choose something safe and sturdy, like a silver spoon or a small ornament. Polishing gives a sense of care and pride in keeping something nice, that’s how my mum used to feel about it.
What you’ll need:
A soft cloth
A small, safe item to polish
Tip: Use it as a chance to chat about where the item came from or what it means to you.
Organising Postcards or Greeting Cards
Remember that stash of postcards and greeting cards in the back of the cupboard or stuck in a box somewhere? Why not dig them out and start organising them finally. It can bring back lovely memories. You can group them by occasion or by sender.
Grab a cup of tea together and share stories as you organise them.
What you’ll need:
A small selection of postcards or greeting cards
Labels/Containers etc
Tip: Don’t worry about perfect sorting. Let the memories and conversation take the lead.
Tidying a Small Drawer
Everyone has one clutter draw, and however many times you clear it out, it just keeps piling up again. It can be filled with anything. I’d suggest choosing a small drawer and reducing the items in it so that it’s achievable in a few minutes ( just separate out some items into another basket to go back to another day!).
It could be a kitchen or bedside table drawer.
Going through it together and finally getting parts of it organised will be such a relief, like I said, mum always did me a favour helping with that.
What you’ll need:
A small drawer with mixed items
A clear surface to place things on
Sorting trays, or organiser boxes
Tip: Only do one drawer at a time so it stays light and positive.
Folding Grocery Bags
I hate grocery bags, how many times do you forget to take them to the shop with you & buy more, despite having millions in the house? The key is getting them folded away into a spot that reminds you to take them. They take up a lot of space if not neatly folded away. So it’s a great activity as folding bags can be calming because of the repetition. I keep the number small so it stays a quick, light activity. Then we shove them into a go container for easy access.
What you’ll need:
A few clean, reusable grocery bags
A flat surface
A storage/go container
Tip: Let them decide how to fold them. If they do it differently to you, that’s fine, there’s no wrong way.
Folding Tea Towels or Pillowcases
This is one of the easiest ways to create a calm, shared moment. Folding together feels natural for many people and gives them a task that feels useful. I keep the pile small so it is never overwhelming. Folding alongside them is a gentle way to guide the process without making it feel like a chore.
What you’ll need:
A few clean tea towels or pillowcases
A clear, flat surface like a table
A laundry basket to put them away
Tip: Keep your movements slow and steady so they can follow along if they want to. If the folds are uneven, that’s fine, it is the doing that matters.
Pairing Socks
Matching socks is simple but surprisingly satisfying. I choose ones with different colours or patterns so they are easier to spot. It can also lead to lighthearted moments when odd socks end up together which happened a lot in our household
What you’ll need:
A small pile of clean socks
A table or bed to lay them out on
Tip: Keep the pile small so it remains a five minute activity.
Watering an Indoor Plant
Taking care of a plant together can be rewarding. Plants with soft leaves or fragrant herbs make it more sensory. I loved our mason jar herb garden that mum used to water with her little watering can. I loved watching them grow and then getting mum to pick the herbs that I used in our recipes.
What you’ll need:
A small indoor plant
A cup or small watering can
Tip: Give them the plant in a place where it is easy to reach, give time to explore the textures and scents of the plants.
Arranging Cutlery for a Meal
Setting out knives, forks and spoons helps someone feel involved in the home family routine. Such a simple five minute activity where mobility allows, rather than sitting and watching they can help lay the table with you.
What you’ll need:
Cutlery
A table to set them on
Tip: If you want to make it special, add napkins for them to fold and to place.
Even five minutes can be enough to make someone feel involved and valued. By mixing these activities with ideas from the first list, you’ll have a good range of options for any kind of day. They may seem small, but in dementia care, it’s often the smallest moments that mean the most.
Final Thoughts
I know from experience that not every day will run smoothly and sometimes the best we can do is find one small thing that works in the moment.
This second set of ideas will hopefully make you rethink basic everyday things we do where we may not involve the person we care about, as we’re so focused on being “busy” that we forget the obvious. These short and easy dementia activities really helped me, lessened my workload, and gave mum something small that could lift her mood.
Have a think of all the little things in your daily routine that your loved one with dementia could help you with, you know that you have them!
I rotate between activities from this list and the original five-minute dementia activities so there’s always something different to do.
I hope you found these useful too! If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my other posts below!