Intro
A wonderful sensory art activity that individuals in the mid to late stages of dementia can enjoy. It involves using pre-cut felt heart shapes. Participants can place the hearts anywhere on the page, creating their own unique arrangement. While other shapes can be used, hearts hold a special significance, often sparking memories of cards they've received or a cherished Valentine's gift they once gave or received. A small group activity, or one on one at home. Enjoy creating your own heartfelt masterpiece!
What you need
- Pre-cut felt heart shapes (assorted sizes, from 2 to 4 cm), varying shades of reds and pinks. Other colours can be used if you wish.
- Large sheet of white card
- Glue
- A paintbrush or glue spreader (for applying glue)
The Activity
- Give each person a piece of the white card.
- Take the heart shapes and start placing them on the paper. You can create a specific design, like a heart-shaped arrangement, or simply scatter them randomly.
- Once you're happy with the arrangement, carefully apply glue to the back of each heart. If you're using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of glue to the heart before placing it on the paper.
- Gently press each heart onto the paper to ensure its attached.
- Once dry, it can then be proudly displayed.
Top tip
- If the task feels overwhelming for one person to complete alone, it can easily be transformed into a collaborative activity. Two people can work together to create a joint piece of art, making the experience more enjoyable and fostering a sense of connection.
- Use hearts of assorted colours and textures to create a colourful and textured collage.
Art & Crafts
Sensory
