DIY-Inspired Activities for people with Dementia (Practical, Hands On & Affordable!)

Written By Eirlys Roff, a freelance activity coordinator in england

Traditionally, DIY activities would be viewed as “masculine” by most, and when you consider the majority of people living with dementia are likely to be in their 80s, they are of a generation where men would have likely been the DIYers in the family home. Of course, that’s a huge generalisation, and is certainly not the case for many. My great-grandmother was always up a ladder, hanging wallpaper and fixing things, while my great-grandfather, so I’m told, was pretty useless in that domain! But when I think about someone fixing items and doing manual labour in the household, visions of grandads and dads spring to my mind.  

An individualised approach

I’m always being asked by care home activity coordinators if there are activities that are well suited to men, and the truth is, almost ALL activities can be adapted to suit men, the most important thing is that you’re giving those you’re caring for activities that they are actually interested in and benefit from.

That being said, I’ve put together a list of DIY-inspired activities that will benefit both men and women, but may be more tailored to the men in your care, should you need some ideas. 

Budget friendly DIY Activity ideas

For many people living with dementia, hands-on, practical tasks are not just a way to stay engaged—they’re a way to reconnect with familiar routines and lifelong skills. Activities like fixing, building, and organising can offer a sense of purpose and achievement, while also supporting memory and motor skills. Best of all, these activities don’t need to cost the Earth.

Using items you likely already have at home, you can create safe and meaningful DIY experiences that empower participants to feel useful and valued.  Here are some simple and budget-friendly activity ideas to try out: 

1. Painting/ decorating  

What you’ll need:  

• Paint (appropriate for the task at hand) 

• Brushes  

• Appropriate protection for clothing 

• a wall, fence, garden furniture or indoor furniture that needs painting 

How to get started:  

Ensure everyone’s clothes are protected, then provide participants with a suitable brush, pot & paint, and set to work painting a wall, some garden furniture, or a fence, etc. This activity works particularly well outside, if you have good weather and some fences that need a lick of paint! 

Tip: Make sure you protect areas you don’t want painted, including clothing! You can get affordable all-in-one suits in most hardware stores, such as B&Q or Homebase, or you can use old clothing from home! This activity works brilliantly outside, so if you have wooden 

garden furniture or fences that need protecting, it’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone!  

2. DIY Sanding Station  

The rhythmic motion of sanding is both physical and sensory. It evokes memories of  home improvement while providing a safe, purposeful task. 

What you’ll need:  

• Small pieces of wood (offcuts work well) 

• Fine-grit sandpaper 

How to get started:  

Set up a sanding station where people can smooth rough edges on pieces of wood. This can be done sitting or standing. Encourage conversation by asking if they remember working on similar tasks in the past. 

Tip: You can vary the level of difficulty depending on abilities and add further tasks if you feel someone needs more of a challenge. 

3. Tool Cleaning & Organising  

Cleaning and organising tools mimics real-life responsibilities and provides a meaningful role in the care community. 

What you’ll need:  

• Lightweight, safe hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, spanners) 

• Soft cloth for wiping 

How to get started:  

Lay out tools and encourage cleaning, sorting, and organisation of them by size or type.  You could also “assign” the job of making sure everything is in working order. 

Tip: This works well as more of a background activity to come and go to as desired. It’s  really great for keeping hands busy, and is especially effective for people who used to  have very organised tool sheds etc. at home. 

4. Screwdriver Practice Board  

This activity is tactile, familiar, and safe—it mirrors real-life maintenance tasks while stimulating hand-eye coordination. 

What you’ll need:  

• A small wooden board (or thick cardboard)

• A drill (for your use) 

• A selection of screws and a manual screwdriver 

How to get started:  

Pre-drill holes in the board and invite participants to practice screwing and unscrewing.  Offer simple tasks like “fixing” or “checking” the screws to keep them engaged. 

Tip: You could add in items such as pieces of furniture that may need repairing to make it a bit more challenging for those who are interested and able. 

5. Furniture Polishing  

Polishing familiar household items can evoke memories of home life, while the repetitive motion provides a calming effect. It’s a great task-based activity that gives purpose. 

What you’ll need:  

• Soft cloths 

• Non-toxic wood polish 

How to get started:  

Give a cloth and a little polish and ask for help “refreshing” wooden furniture or picture frames. This can be a group task or a quiet, independent activity. 

Tip: If you care for someone who often likes to be kept busy and enjoys cleaning, this is a great task to give while on the move, you can enlist the help of someone to dust the home. 

6. Fix-It Station  

This task offers a sense of usefulness and pride—perfect for anyone who’s spent a  lifetime fixing things around the house! 

What you’ll need:  

• Small items needing “repair” (light switches, door handles, toy cars, small pieces of  furniture) 

• Simple hand tools 

How to get started:  

Set up a workbench or tray with “broken” items and invite people to inspect and “repair”  them. Keep the tasks simple and safe, focusing on familiar actions like tightening screws or wiping surfaces. 

Tip: If you’re working with someone who requires a more challenging task and is able to handle it, you could also give them more complicated tasks. However, it’s essential to know your participants really well, so you can tailor the activity to their abilities and needs. 

7. Sorting Small Parts  

Sorting is a simple, familiar task that supports cognitive function while giving a tangible,  productive role. 

What you’ll need:  

• Small items like screws, washers, or nails 

• Containers or trays for sorting 

How to get started:  

Ask participants to sort items by type or size, organising them into small containers. You can turn it into a “quality control” job for added purpose. 

Tip: This activity, though simple, is really helpful in calming some people’s moods, so it can be part of a great de-escalation plan. 

⸻ 

DIY activities for people living with dementia don’t need to be complex or expensive.  Simple, hands-on tasks that reflect past roles, like fixing, sanding, or organising, can foster pride, purpose, and engagement. By tapping into these practical activities, you not only offer meaningful experiences but also help people reconnect with lifelong skills and memories. 

Have fun trying some of these out, and let us know how you get along!

A Good Day Games & Activities

We know the impact of dementia on a family, having experienced it first-hand – that’s why we created A Good Day, to help others improve wellbeing in dementia through our dementia-friendly games and activities.

If you try any of these activities, we’d love to hear about it – drop us a message on Facebook or Instagram and via email.💛