Below are activity ideas for everyone, whether you feel like learning something new, finding a hobby, reading a good book, getting exercise, watching a movie, etc. There is also a section for caregivers who are supporting those living with dementia and looking for activities to help. Ideas include those for staying at home, or for getting out into the community. This page is constantly updated so check back! 

Around the Region

Check out what's happening at County Parks & Rec,
​and park facilities in our region

Culpeper county 
Picture
Culpeper County Parks and Rec has many activities lined up for all ages this winter. Click the photo at right for their catalog. From their Facebook page: 

​2023 Winter Program Guide - Culpeper County Parks & Recreation is excited to release the 2023 Winter Programs Guide which features a variety of programs and activities in the areas of Athletics, Creative Expression, Enrichment, Health & Wellness, Homeschoolers, Paws & Hoofs, and Special Events.

A few of the new activities available include; Special Olympics - Young Athletes Program, Softball (Infield Skills), The Basketball Grind, Be My Valentine Workshop, Violin Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Craft a Gnome, Needle Felting, Indigo Tie, Dye, Guinness Beer Bread, and many more!!!

***Online Registration: Opens 01/06/2023
***In-Person Registration: Opens 01/09/2023
***Registration is available on a first come ~ first served basis.

LIVE HERE. PLAY HERE.
Fauquier County
Madison County 
Orange County 
Rappahannock County 
Clear skies, great star viewing!
​Rappahannock County Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park. 
The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. Click the button below for more info.
If you live in Rappahannock County, check out Rapp at Home for a numbers of activities and volunteer opportunities in the county. 

Connecting without tech

Picture
Remember when you looked forward to the mailman bringing letters from friends and family? Something about receiving a hand written letter from another person felt good. Computers, email and texting changed that, but it doesn't mean it's gone! Take time to send a letter to someone you care about. Still have your old typewriter? That's fine too. You can use any paper, even from a notebook, and you just need an envelope and a stamp. You can send it out from your own mailbox. Dig out your address book and start writing, or encourage other family members!
How to send Mail - from the USPS
Blog: THe lifechanging magic of sending and receiving mail
Need a penpal?
​https://www.marthastewart.com/1538505/how-to-find-pen-pal

From trusted domestic guru Martha Stewart, some ideas on how to find a penpal and penpal safety.

Story Subscriptions through the mail
​(great gift idea for those living alone)

The Flower Letters
The Flower Letters - Stories received as letters through the mail - a unique subscription service! Click on photo for link.

From the website:
"Tired of getting mail you don't love? When you subscribe you'll look forward to checking your mail in anticipation of the next installment of our stories. Each story takes place on the pages of intimate and personal letters sent between characters, drawing you into their hopes and dreams and the greater world around them. Sit back, maybe make a cup of tea, take a break and immerse yourself into this brand new mailbox story experience."
Historic Mail
historicmail.com

​Journey through the annals of time with curated letters from George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and more, delivered by mail every week.

Being Crafty

Learn Origami
ORIGAMI
Use any paper you can find at home - notebook paper, magazines, newspaper...and make paper figures by folding it! Click on the website button below for a sight that gives some easy instruction. 
Make your own facemask (even if you don't know how to sew)
Here are a few no-sew methods to make face masks!
Journal
Regularly writing or drawing in a journal can be therapeutic, and encourages self-learning and creativity, and even offers a place to escape. If you haven't tried it before, don't hesitate. You just need a simple notebook and pen to get started! Here some articles that can help.
Check out this blog post from "She Dreams All Day".  For the how, why, and rules (there really aren't any) to start a journal plus ideas of different kinds of journals. 
"Journaling for Mental Health" from the University of Rochester Medical Center:
PrimeLife Arts Learning
https://primelifeartslearning.org/

PrimeLife Arts Learning’s (PAL’s) mission is to inspire adults 55+ to explore their creativity; to build stronger relationships and bridge connections to new communities; and to advocate for equity and anti-ageism in arts learning.

Armchair Travel

Museums
Many museums around the world are offering online exhibits from their websites. Some offer a gallery of photos and detailed text descriptions, while others are virtual tours. Click the button below to view some great exhibits online. 
​​
(Dementia Friendly Activity Idea)
Viking TV
"Travel" to some great locations while staying home in your own cozy chair! Viking TV has live streaming of visits to places around the world, as well as recorded programs on all kinds of subjects. You can also choose to view on YouTube.
National parks virtual tours
Take a tour of 5 National Parks. With the amazing photography and virtual immersion, you'll fee like you're right there! 
​From Google Arts & Culture
VIRTUAL TOUR OF VERSAILLES (FRANCE)
How about a virtual tour of Versailles, just outside of Paris, France? Home to French Royalty until the demise of Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette, here's a great way to see the splendor of this palace, as well as to learn a little French history. Bon Voyage! 
RICK STEVES TRAVEL PODCASTS
Listen in to travel guru Rick Steves as he talks  about travel, cultures, and people from around the world. You will need a podcast listening app (like iTunes or Podcast Addict), but scroll down on the page for detailed instructions. 
Or read some of his hundreds of travel articles from all around the world - click button below.  Choose your destination and start reading!

GAMES

Bingo cards online to print
Generate bingo cards on this website where you can print them for play in your residence, or use their virtual bingo tool to connect with others outside the home!
Sudoku
Senior Guide offers Sudoku puzzles you can can play online. 
Mahjong Solitaire
From Senior Planet: Mahjong Solitaire is a tile-matching puzzle game inspired by the popular in Asia board game, Mahjong, but played solo. The goal of Mahjong Solitaire is to remove all tiles from the game board by matching tile pairs. Find two tiles with the same face image to create a pair and remove it from the board. Removing tiles, in turn, unlocks more tiles underneath. Keep removing tiles until there are no more left, at which point you have won the game!
How to play bridge
​https://www.funbridge.com/how-to-play-bridge

A collection of resources for how to play the ever-popular Bridge game!

Online Reading

BOOKS
Online sites that offer free reading
The website makeuseof.com lists "The Ten Best Free Ebook Download Sites".  Check it out by clicking the blue button button.
Project gutenberg
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a digital library of public domain books, meaning downloading and reading the books is free because they are not copyrighted or considered intellectual property. If you don't have a device on which to download you can also read the books online. Typically these books are older, but they include many many classics. With over 60,000 books included, you're sure to find something enjoyable! To get you started the top 100 can be found through the button below. 
NEWS AND CULTURE
Next Avenue
https://www.nextavenue.org/

"Meeting the needs and unleashing the potential of older Americans through media."
"Next Avenue is a nonprofit, digital journalism publication produced by Twin Cities PBS (TPT). As public media's first and only national publication for older adults, we are dedicated to covering the issues that matter most as we age."

Online Movies & Theater

Online with Kanopy
If you have a Culpeper County Library card you can access free movies to watch on your TV or your computer/tablet through Kanopy. Click below to browse movies.
***If you don't have a Culpeper County Library card, you can get one online! Click on button at right and scroll down to "Using our Online Form". You will be guided as to how to proceed. Once you fill out the form, a card will be mailed to you. Anyone in PD9 can get a Culpeper County library card - you do not have to live in Culpeper County!
YOUTUBE FREE MOVIES
YouTube has an selection of entire movies you can watch for free. You may have to listen to an ad or two in the middle, but it's worth it. For an example, click button below to watch the 1954 version of "A Star is Born". 
Here is a link to a list of 45 other classic movies for free viewing. Click on the movie title to go to the video. 

Dementia Friendly Activities

sing Along with susie Q
SING ALONG WITH SUSIE Q
Susan McAllister-Bee, better known as Susie Q, is a music teacher and musician from St. Thomas, Canada. This channel is dedicated to the elderly and their caregivers. Enjoy hours and hours of singing along to favourite songs - lyrics subtitles included. Also good for group activity.
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
Watch puppies!
Fun for those living with dementia! Watch puppies live. You'll find other live webcam options here as well. The source is Explore Livecam which has many live cams options, including in the wildernness. Start exploring!
​DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
Previously Recorded Dementia Activities ideas from Cornerstone cares
DEMENTIA ACTIVITIES with CORNERSTONE CARES (Recorded in 2020)
View Sara with Cornerstone Cares as she discusses some activity ideas for caregivers of those living with dementia at home. 
​DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
Black Out poetry
BLACK OUT POETRY - No technology needed!
Take a newspaper article, old book page or magazine and black out words until only a few are left forming a poem. Who cares it if doesn't make sense? For an example, click the button. 
​​DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
Collaging
Most simply, collaging is taking torn-up pieces of paper and gluing them onto a larger paper to make some sort of picture. This is a great way to use old magazines lying around the house. It's a also a good way to allow people living with dementia to express themselves. All you need is paper and glue for starters! For some other collage ideas, click the blue button below.
​ ​DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
NIH (National Institute on aging) Ideas for dementia friendly activities
Ideas for adapting activities for people with Alzheimer's Disease
​​ DEMENTIA FRIENDLY

Online Learning

ONLINE LEARNING FROM GOODWILL (GFC GLOBAL)
GOODWILL Free Online Learning
Take advantage of free time at home to learn something new and exercise your brain! Goodwill Industries offers free online classes, much of which is technology based, from the basics like learning how to use a mouse or how to email, to the more complex like how to use Excel. So if you have been feeling uncertain about using your computer or other devices, check it out!  There are other topics available too, like learning a foreign language.
TED TALKS
If you are yearning for more intellectual stimulation, try a Ted Talk.
 
"TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. 
Learn from a podcast
 I LEARNED HOW PODCAST
From AARP - Whether it’s switching careers, learning how to care for a loved one, using new technology to make your life easier, or protecting yourself from frauds and scams, AARP's podcast series will help you be ready for what’s next.

Exercise

Exercise at Home
​Staying safe while exercising
Regular physical exercise can help reduce your feeling of stress and anxiety.  But it's important to be safe. Here are good safety tips from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) regarding staying safe when exercising outdoors, for instance while walking and biking.
No Cost Exercising
​From NIA, here's an infographic with suggestions about staying fit without spending a dime.
Chair exercises
​Follow Bonnie Vermillion of Healthy Steps as she uses the Lebed Method of exercise. Using a chair, this is a good way to move and exercise at home. 

In 2007, Bonnie Vermillion took the Instructor class for the Lebed Method. In 2010, she enrolled in the “Train the Trainer” program. In 2014, she became a master trainer (able to train new trainers) and later that year acquired the Healthy-Steps/Lebed Method Program from the Lebed family. ​
​
Designed to maximize participation and activity, regardless of physical ability, Healthy-Steps is fun and easy to do, and no special abilities are required.

Be sure to watch Part 1 first, which is an important Warm-Up. Then continue to Part 2. Together the videos run about 17 minutes. 
Healthy Steps Part 1
Healthy Steps Part 2
Dancing!
All you need is a little floor space and some music you love. Dancing is great aerobic exercise, but its also good for your brain. Read more from Senior Guide:
Exercise Around the Region
Pickleball
Pickleball has become all the rage for all ages, and it just happens to be a great sport for older adults because it takes less toll on joints moving around the smaller courts (as compared to tennis for instance). For more info on why this sport is a great hobby​ read the articles below.

​Article:  5 Hidden Health Benefits of Pickleball
Article:  Culpeper Falls in Love with Pickleball
Info on where to play pickleball around the region
(please contact these venues in advance. Information is subject to change.)
CULPEPER
Culpeper Parks & Rec
Culpeper County Fieldhouse -  16388 Competition Drive, Culpeper
Mountain Run Lake Park - 16283 J B Carpenter Jr Dr, Culpeper
Online account is required and can be done onsite or in advance. Membership or drop-in fee is available for each session. Schedule is posted on website as sessions are released. Lessons and clinics available at both locations. ​
PATH Recreation & Fitness Center
19002 Crossroad Parkway, Culpeper
email: prfc@culpeperwellness.org
Check the court schedules through the button below. You can pay drop-in rates or buy a monthly pass. Special rates for older adults. ​
Check out the latest about Pickleball in Culpeper on Facebook!
FAUQUIER
​Fauquier Pickleball Association:
Academy Hill Park (Town of Warrenton)
167 Academy Hill Road, Warrenton
parksandrec@warrentonva.gov 
(540) 349-2520
Offers a pickleball court with paddles available for loan from the WARF. 

Other Websites with Activity Suggestions

AARP
Offering ideas for caregivers who try to keep loved ones active at home. 
LOWLINC 
From LOWLINC (Lake of the Woods, Living Independently in our Community)
Click on the tab below to go to our partners at LOWLINC who offer more suggestions for activities​.

​Aging Together

PO Box 367, Culpeper, VA 22701
540-829-6405 | info@agingtogether.org
We're on Facebook!
Aging Together serves the counties of 
Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock in the
​Commonwealth of Virginia.

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