Looking for a way to usher in the Spring season for your loved one or older adult in your care? We put together a fun and colourful activity to brighten their day and nurture creativity and green thumbs!
Flower Pot Painting
Painting clay flower pots is not only a fun way to let your loved one’s creativity out, it’s also therapeutic. The best part is, their beautiful creation also serves as a lovely vessel for planting spring flowers!
What you need:
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Small or Medium sized clay pot
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Acrylic paints, variety of colours
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Paint brushes
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Plastic cup or jar of water
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Newspaper or disposable tablecloth
What to do:
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Sit at a table in a comfortable position.
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Place newspaper or disposable tablecloth on the flat surface.
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Make sure that all paints, brushes, and water (for rinsing brushes) are easily accessible for you, your loved one, or person in your care.
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Begin by placing the clay pot (found in most craft and dollar stores) upside-down. This will make the pot more sturdy and allow a space (bottom of pot) as a resting area for their hand, to easily turn the pot or for balance while painting.
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Begin to paint! You can provide images for them to copy or be inspired by, like flower shapes, polka-dots, stripes, ladybugs, butterflies, etc.
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Your loved one may prefer to paint freestyle and mix colours, or paint their pot a solid colour, and that’s OK!
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Once complete, allow to dry upside-down on the newspaper or in another area to keep safe.
To celebrate their creativity and the start of Spring, bring in some potting soil, flower seeds/bulbs, and some water to begin planting! Gardening is not only a great way to exercise their motor skills, but has also been known to reduce stress and provide relaxation. Planting can be done a couple of days after their painting session and will keep them focused on caring for the plant, watching it grow over the next few weeks, and be a cheerful addition to their room!
