Amelia Earhart

The most popular holiday of March may be St. Patrick’s Day, but there are plenty of other fun holidays and themes as well like Dr. Seuss’s birthday, National Puppy Day, Johnny Appleseed Day, and more! Check out the list below for fun ideas to celebrate all these great March holidays and themes along with a set of trivia questions on Women’s History.

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday – March 2

SEUSS-THEMED CRAFT TIME – Encourage residents to create Seuss-themed crafts, such as a Cat in the Hat hat or a Thing 1 or Thing 2 puppet. Provide materials such as construction paper, markers, glue, and scissors.

Namesake Day – March 5

THE HISTORY OF MY NAME – Encourage residents to research their name and its origins, and present their findings to the group. Provide access to books, websites, and other resources that can help residents learn about the history and meaning of their names.

NAME MY TUNE – Play popular songs with the same first name as each resident, and encourage residents to sing along or tap their feet to the beat. This activity is perfect for those who enjoy music and can help to stimulate memory and improve mood.

National Cereal Day – March 7

CEREAL BAR – Set up a cereal bar with a variety of cereals, milk, and toppings, and encourage residents to create their own custom cereal bowls. This activity is perfect for those who enjoy cooking and can help to encourage creativity and imagination.

International Women’s Day – March 8

WOMEN’S PORTRAIT GALLERY – Have residents create portraits of women who have inspired them, using materials such as paper, pencils, or paints. This activity can help residents to express themselves creatively and can provide an opportunity for residents to discuss their personal experiences with women who have influenced their lives.

Johnny Appleseed Day – March 11

APPLE TASTING – Encourage residents to try a variety of apples, and rate their favorites. Provide a selection of apples and apple products, such as apple juice, applesauce, and dried apples.

APPLE CRAFT TIME – Encourage residents to create apple-themed crafts, such as apple coasters or apple picture frames. Provide materials such as felt, paper, glue, and scissors.

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MINI-PARADE – Organize a mini-parade through your facility, with you and facility staff dressed in green, carrying shamrocks and playing instruments. Provide green hats, shamrocks, and other props to give out to residents who are watching. Encourage any residents who wish to join along in the parade, whether walking briefly or being pushed in their wheelchairs while singing along to traditional Irish music. This is a fun way to engage residents in physical activity and social interaction.

IRISH STORYTELLING AND SING-ALONGS – Have a resident or staff member tell traditional Irish folktales, such as the story of Leprechauns. This is a great way to engage residents in a social activity and stimulate the mind through storytelling and imagination. Encourage residents to ask questions and share their own experiences related to the story. Play traditional Irish music and encourage residents to sing along or tap their feet. Provide lyrics to popular Irish songs such as “Danny Boy” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”

National Puppy Day – March 23

PUPPY PICTURE TIME – Encourage residents to bring in or look at pictures of their favorite puppies or dogs. This activity is perfect for those who enjoy animals and can help to stimulate memories and improve mood.

National Foreign Language Month

LANGUAGE SAMPLER – Encourage residents to try learning a few new words and phrases in a foreign language. Provide a list of common phrases and words in different languages, along with accompanying videos or audio recordings to help residents practice their pronunciation. A fun food variant is to teach residents the names of traditional dishes from around the world and have the kitchen prepare samples to try out or order catering from a restaurant.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH TRIVIA

March is also Women’s History Month. Challenge your residents to see if they know these famous women and their historic achievements!

Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? Marie Curie
Who was the first female astronaut to go into space? Valentina Tereshkova
Who wrote “A Room of One’s Own,” a seminal work of feminist literature? Virginia Woolf
Who was the first female justice appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States? Sandra Day O’Connor
Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean? Amelia Earhart
Who was the first female Secretary of State in the United States? Madeleine Albright
Who was the first female prime minister of India? Indira Gandhi
Who was the first female chancellor of Germany? Angela Merkel
Who was the first First Lady to have her own press conference? Eleanor Roosevelt
Who was the first woman to win multiple general Grammy awards for Record (“It’s Too Late”), Album (Tapestry) and Song Of The Year (“You’ve Got A Friend”) in 1971? Carole King

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

“Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” ~ Maya Angelou

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND MORE – March Activity Ideas