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Printable pack

Five Quiet Bedside Activities: A Printable Pack

Five quiet activities that fit on a lap tray, one card per sheet. Each card shows its version for bed or an armchair. Keep sessions short, follow any advice from the care team about positioning, and stop whenever they have had enough.

In this pack

  1. Make a personal songbook
  2. Write a letter together
  3. Draw repeating patterns
  4. Sketch what is on the table
  5. Make a lavender sachet

Each card lists the materials, one action per step, an easier version and when to stop. Every activity can stop after the first step, and none of them has a right answer.

Supply checklist

Tick what you already have. Each card also suggests things to use instead.

Make a personal songbook

  • A notebook or a few sheets of paper in a folder
  • A pen or a thick marker
  • A phone, radio or music player to play songs
  • Printed lyrics for a few songs (optional)
  • Old record sleeves, sheet music or concert programs, if you have them

Write a letter together

  • A sheet of notepaper or a plain postcard
  • A pen or pencil that is easy to grip
  • An envelope and stamp, if the letter will be posted
  • Optional: a pressed flower and a little tape, or a pencil for a small drawing

Draw repeating patterns

  • A sheet of plain paper, with a grid of large boxes drawn on it
  • A soft pencil, a thick marker or a crayon
  • A ruler, if the boxes need to be drawn

Sketch what is on the table

  • One simple object, such as a cup, a piece of fruit or a flower in a small vase
  • Plain paper, about letter size
  • A soft pencil or a thick marker
  • A soft eraser, optional

Make a lavender sachet

  • A square of cotton fabric, about 8 inches across
  • Two or three spoonfuls of dried lavender
  • A ribbon or piece of yarn, about 12 inches
  • A small bowl and a teaspoon
  • A tray or plate to catch spills

Creative Activities · creativeactivities.org/activity/packs/five-quiet-bedside-activities/ · Free to print and share for personal and noncommercial use.

Music

Make a personal songbook

Collect favorite songs, a few lines of words and the stories behind them in one book.

10 min setup15–40 min activityseated-friendlylow cost

What you need

  • A notebook or a few sheets of paper in a folder
  • A pen or a thick marker
  • A phone, radio or music player to play songs
  • Printed lyrics for a few songs (optional)
  • Old record sleeves, sheet music or concert programs, if you have them

In bed or an armchair

Use a clipboard and play songs quietly from a phone. The helper writes; the person listens and chooses.

What to do

  1. Sit together and open the book to a blank page.
  2. Ask about a song they enjoy, or offer a choice of two familiar songs.
  3. Play the song at a comfortable volume and listen together.
  4. Write the song title at the top of the page.
  5. Add the singer or a favorite line, if they want to.
  6. Invite a story about the song, such as where they heard it or who they danced with.
  7. Write a few words about the story, in their words.
  8. Play the song again if they would like, or choose the next one.

It is okay to stop. It is fine to stop after one song. Leave the book open at that page, play something gentle, or simply sit and listen together for a while.

Safety

  • Keep the volume comfortable and check it with them. Sudden loud music can startle or hurt.
  • Check hearing aids are in, switched on and not whistling. Some people prefer headphones off and the speaker nearby.
  • Some songs bring back sad memories or people who have died. Pause, listen kindly, and offer another song or a break.
  • Avoid songs with lyrics or associations that may upset them; follow their lead on what to play.

More versions and safety notes: creativeactivities.org/activity/make-a-personal-songbook/

Stories and talk

Write a letter together

Write a short letter or postcard together, with the helper writing as the person says what to put.

5 min setup15–30 min activityseated-friendlyfree

What you need

  • A sheet of notepaper or a plain postcard
  • A pen or pencil that is easy to grip
  • An envelope and stamp, if the letter will be posted
  • Optional: a pressed flower and a little tape, or a pencil for a small drawing

In bed or an armchair

Use a clipboard on a lap tray, and keep the letter to one short paragraph.

What to do

  1. Sit side by side at a table with the paper, the pen and the envelope in reach.
  2. Ask who the letter is for and what they would like to say. Any answer is the right one.
  3. Write the greeting at the top, in the words the person chooses.
  4. Ask one open question, such as what has been on their mind this week, and write down the answer.
  5. Read the sentences back aloud and ask if they want to change anything.
  6. Add a drawing, or tape a pressed flower to a corner.
  7. Sign the letter together, then fold it.
  8. Put the letter in the envelope, write the address and add a stamp, or set it aside to give in person.

It is okay to stop. It is fine to stop after one sentence. Put the letter aside, and finish it another day, or simply talk about the person it is for.

Safety

  • Never write bank details, passwords or PINs in a letter. Check the address before sealing the envelope.
  • Keep pens and stamps away from the mouth if the person may chew or taste things.
  • Check before adding a flower; some plants can cause skin irritation or allergy.

More versions and safety notes: creativeactivities.org/activity/write-a-letter-together/

Painting and drawing

Draw repeating patterns

Fill boxes on a page with simple repeating lines, loops and dots.

3 min setup10–30 min activityseated-friendlyfree

What you need

  • A sheet of plain paper, with a grid of large boxes drawn on it
  • A soft pencil, a thick marker or a crayon
  • A ruler, if the boxes need to be drawn

In bed or an armchair

Use a clipboard on a lap tray and a page with just four large boxes.

What to do

  1. Place the paper on the table, with the grid of boxes facing the person.
  2. Choose a pencil or marker together, and offer a choice of color if they want one.
  3. Make a short line or a dot in the first box, and invite them to copy it or add their own.
  4. Fill the box with a simple repeat, such as lines going the same way or loops in a row.
  5. Move to the next box and try a different repeat, such as dots, zigzags or circles.
  6. Keep going one box at a time for as long as it feels pleasant.
  7. Stop when the page is full or when they want to stop, then look at the pattern together.

It is okay to stop. It is fine to stop after one box or a few lines. Put the page aside and look at it together later, or simply watch the marks being made without adding more.

Safety

  • Use washable, non-toxic markers or crayons, and keep them away from the mouth.
  • Put the caps back on markers when not in use, since they dry out and can stain skin.
  • If a ruler is used, choose one with a rounded edge, or none at all.

More versions and safety notes: creativeactivities.org/activity/draw-repeating-patterns/

Painting and drawing

Sketch what is on the table

Look at one everyday object on the table, then draw its outline with any marks you like.

5 min setup10–30 min activityseated-friendlyfree

What you need

  • One simple object, such as a cup, a piece of fruit or a flower in a small vase
  • Plain paper, about letter size
  • A soft pencil or a thick marker
  • A soft eraser, optional

In bed or an armchair

Use an object from the bedside table, such as a cup or a brush, and draw on a clipboard.

What to do

  1. Place the object on the table in front of the person, where the light falls well on it.
  2. Look at it together for a moment, and talk about its color, shape or size if they like.
  3. Put the paper down and place the pencil in their hand, or within easy reach.
  4. Draw the outline with a few slow lines, starting from the bottom edge. Any line is a good line.
  5. Add a few marks inside, such as a line for a handle, a dot for a seed or a stroke for a stem.
  6. Draw your own version beside theirs if you like, without comparing the two.
  7. Stop when they put the pencil down, then look at the drawing together.

It is okay to stop. It is fine to stop after a few lines. Leave the paper where it is and look at the object again later, or simply enjoy it together for a while.

Safety

  • If the object is a plant, check that it is not poisonous or an allergen, and do not let anyone taste it.
  • Keep pencils and erasers away from the mouth if the person may chew or taste things.
  • Choose a sturdy cup or soft fruit, and avoid glass or anything sharp on the table.

More versions and safety notes: creativeactivities.org/activity/sketch-what-is-on-the-table/

Touch and texture

Make a lavender sachet

Spoon dried lavender onto a square of fabric and tie it into a small scented bundle.

5 min setup10–25 min activityseated-friendlylow cost

What you need

  • A square of cotton fabric, about 8 inches across
  • Two or three spoonfuls of dried lavender
  • A ribbon or piece of yarn, about 12 inches
  • A small bowl and a teaspoon
  • A tray or plate to catch spills

In bed or an armchair

Use a lap tray with raised edges and a pre-filled spoon. Make one small sachet and tie it loosely together.

What to do

  1. Set the tray on the table and pour the lavender into the bowl.
  2. Offer the bowl to smell, and ask if they would like to make a sachet with it.
  3. Lay the fabric square flat on the tray, patterned side down.
  4. Spoon lavender into the middle of the fabric together.
  5. Gather the four corners up into a small bundle.
  6. Hold the bundle while one person wraps the ribbon around the neck.
  7. Tie the ribbon in a knot or a bow. The helper can do this.
  8. Decide together where the sachet should go, such as a drawer or a coat pocket.

It is okay to stop. It is fine to stop at any point. A bowl of lavender to smell is enough on its own. Cover the bowl and offer to finish the sachet another day.

Safety

  • Strong scents can be unpleasant or trigger headaches or breathing problems for some people. Smell a little first and stop if anyone dislikes it.
  • Some people react to lavender on the skin. Use a spoon and wash hands afterward if there is any sensitivity.
  • Dried lavender and rice are small enough to swallow. Supervise closely if anything might be put in the mouth.
  • Do not put the sachet near a heater, radiator or open flame.

More versions and safety notes: creativeactivities.org/activity/make-a-lavender-sachet/