Danielle Garces

LEI 4724

Activity: Picnic Memory Game

Source: H. Porter (RT for Specific Diagnoses and Conditions, 2015)

Equipment Needed: 5-25+

Activity Description:

1. To begin, have the participants split in to small groups of 5. (Standing or sitting)

2. Have each group form a circle.
3. The first player, chosen by the Activity Leader, says In my basket for the picnic, I packed then
proceeds to say what item him or her packed.
4. The next player, to the right, then says, In my basket for the picnic, I packed, and recites
what the first player packed and adds his or her own item to the basket, and so forth.
5. After each small group of 5 gets through one full round successfully, you may split one of the
groups and have them spread out to the other groups.
6. The game continues until you have one large group of participants in a circle. The bigger the
group the more of a challenge!

Example:

Participant 1: In my basket for the picnic, I packed chips...

Participant 2: In my basket for the picnic, I packed chips and grapes

Participant 3: In my basket for the picnic, I packed chips, grapes and water

Leadership Considerations:

1. When working with participants who have Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention- Deficit
Hyperactive Disorder, this is a facilitation technique not only keeps the individual engaged, but
helps them learn to pay attention to detail. It helps the participant increase their memory skills
and learn to contain themselves in a large group. The process of increasing the group helps the
participants increase their attention span by requiring them to focus on what is being said
throughout the game.
2. This activity can also be used for older adults who are in the early stages of Alzheimers.
Focusing on memory games and puzzles helps participants with Alzheimers learn to engage in
their memory skills as well as work on techniques on their tension span.
3. This activity helps the therapist observe each individual with communication, behaviors and
interactive relationships. It helps the therapist gain information on the person and be able to
implement other activities that will focus on their weaknesses.