Bingo, Noodle Ball, and Inflatable Sumo Wrestlers: A Day to Remember
5 Acre Woods Enrichment program headed to visit my husband’s assisted living community for what turned out to be one of the most memorable field trips ever. It was the kind of day that makes you appreciate the small moments—and also makes you question how turkey and dumplings can taste so much better when someone else cooks them!
My son, who’s spent many hours visiting the residents before acted as our tour guide extraordinaire, and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the community. Somewhere along the way, a tentative dance party broke out in my husband’s office. Why in his office? Because he has a disco ball hanging from the ceiling! That’s why!
Then came the highlight of the morning: Noodle Ball. This is exactly what it sounds like—pool noodles, a balloon, and an abundance of chaos. Picture kids swinging wildly while the older adults giggled at their antics. Now add G., who managed to steal the show (IMHO) by quietly sitting next to a man with limited mobility and gently pushing the balloon toward him instead of smacking it like a tiny Berserker. Melt my heart.
After the game, the kids delivered drinks to the residents and chatted with them. I swear, the laughter in the room was contagious. If joy could be bottled, we could’ve sold enough to retire on the spot.
Then came autumn trivia and bingo. I don’t know who enjoyed it more—the kids, who loved calling out numbers and yelling out BINGO! Or the residents, who enjoyed observing the kiddos. I was surprised at how much knowledge the children have about autumn - from the equinox to photosynthesis - theses kiddos know so much!
Post-bingo, we stepped outside for a quick run-around, because nothing burns off energy like fresh air and the promise of lunch. And lunch was delicious: turkey and dumplings! The kids sat with the residents, chatting, sharing stories, and in H’s case, tackling a crossword puzzle with Ms. K. I can only hope Ms. K. didn’t mind when H. wrote down the name of her friend for the Little Lord … (I think it was supposed to say, “Fauntleroy.” 😂
After lunch, we sat down to academics. math, language arts, and handwriting—we crammed it all in!
The grand finale of the day was baking club, where the kids and residents teamed up to create the culinary masterpiece known as “dump cake.” This recipe is a declaration of culinary independence: dump ingredients into a pan, cross your fingers, and call it dessert. With a ton of fruit, cake batter, and butter you know it’s going to turn out delicious! While the cake baked, we talked about our favorite holiday foods. J. proudly announced he makes omelets, and I’m hoping he’ll make us breakfast someday!
We wrapped up with inflatable costumes. Picture kids bouncing around like human balloons, but these balloons are in the shape of 2 Sumo wrestlers, a puppy, and a kitten! It was absurd and wonderful. It was the perfect ending to a day that reminded us of the joy in simple goofball-i-ness.
The residents and staff were so welcoming, and they’ve already asked us to come back. Watching the kids form connections with the older adults was nothing short of magical. These moments are the kind of lessons you can’t teach in a classroom.
I’m so grateful the kids got to experience this day. It’s so important to me to foster community that spans generations, and facilitate many experiences for our students!
