Activities for Social Connections

Are you feeling lonely and depressed lately? It could be caused by spending too much time on social media. Here’s some good news though! An easy antidote is just a phone call away. Swapping screen time for one-on-one conversations can make you feel happier and more fulfilled.

Hosting a neighborhood block party is easier than you think. Here are some simple steps and ideas for planning a neighborhood gathering.

Conversation starters are a fun and easy way to build new or existing relationships with your neighbors.

Once you’ve chatted up a neighbor, use our Neighbor Map to keep notes of key insights to remember

Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, meeting your neighbors can feel intimidating. But don’t stress, there are a variety of ways to introduce yourself — virtually, in person, at an event — take your pick.

Take the Social Connections Bingo Challenge! It’s a fun and family friendly way to try new things and share experiences.

Playing sports not only provides a fun activity, but is an easy way to meet people – and it helps you stay fit!

Explore your neighborhood while searching for items—and ask your neighbors to join in too!

Staying engaged as an older adult means maintaining and building new connections with people and groups in your community. Try out these lifelong activities to build lasting connections!

Younger generations are used to sharing photos quickly and easily through social media and smartphones. Here are some ideas for sharing photos and stories to build meaningful connections with older adults or others in your life.

Check out these creative tips for staying connected with older adults through calls, letters and cards.

Volunteering benefits more than the community. Research shows the volunteer benefits as well.

This group activity is focused on connecting with others who are dealing with grief and loss, and processing these feelings together.

There are simple activities anyone can do every day to connect with others and stay present in the moment. Making these practices part of your regular routine can help you stay in touch with what matters to you most.

Create a ‘connection’ capsule for a friend or family, and fill it with your shared favorite things and memories as a way to connect even when you can’t be together.

Creating connections is easier when you have shared interests, and it deepens bonds by doing something together! Below are ways to connect with people who like the same things you do.

Play is nature’s remedy for stress! And connecting through exercise is one way increase your activity while making social connections to improve your overall health.

When we walk in nature and “notice” its magic, we get a deeper connection to the earth and ourselves. Taking a “noticing walk” with kids adds even more magic to the experience and encourages kids to appreciate nature’s wonder.

Share positive thoughts and gratitude with your friends and family.

A simple card, note or greeting can help prevent isolation and loneliness for an older adult in our community. This activity allows you to express yourself creatively while connecting.

We love gathering in someone’s home or in a coffee shop, talking with our friends about books, eating good food, and sharing laughter and conversation. But sometimes it’s not possible to meet in person. A virtual book club is the answer!

Support older adults through these simple, easy volunteer connections.

Food brings people together like nothing else. Exchange your favorite recipes with others while building your relationships.

In our digital world, the art of putting pen to paper is fading. Writing a letter to a pen pal can brighten their day (and yours) and be an important connection for both of you.

Music has the power to evoke memories and create new ones. Share music with the older adults in your life to spark connection and appreciation for melodies, new and old.

Strengthen your connections with others through storytelling & humor!

Do you enjoy lunchtime conversations with your coworkers? You can also recreate them with your neighbors through this fun activity!