Senior in Naples: 6 Activities to Enjoy This June

As Florida begins to open up after a long, strange spring, many seniors are wondering what they can do for fun this summer while avoiding the crowds and staying safe. 

The Naples Senior Center is one organization that is working hard to make sure local seniors have plenty of virtual activities to choose from. We compiled some of the highlights from their list here, plus we tossed in a few additional ideas to help you plan your socially distanced summer fun.

Take Up Line Dancing

Get ready to hit the dance floor and steal the spotlight at your grandkids’ weddings next year. Popular line dances, like the Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle, are easy to learn and a ton of fun. These instructional videos are designed with seniors in mind, so get those dancing shoes on and get ready to learn some new moves!

Get Some Exercise

We all know exercise is key to maintaining healthy bodies, but fitness also contributes to healthy minds. Lace up those sneakers, grab some water, and join one of Senior Planet’s virtual group exercise classes. From chair yoga to balance and strength to tai chi, there are plenty of options to keep your body and mind fit this summer. 

Visit the World’s Best Museums

Traveling may not be an option right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the world’s most famous art exhibits from home. Technology transports us around the globe to take in the beautiful paintings at Musée d’Orsay in Paris, see some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous pieces at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and be amazed by the collection of ancient sculpture, artwork, and artifacts at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

Learn to Paint

Now that you’ve spent some time visiting museums, you may be inspired to make your own art. YouTube is full of painting tutorials for beginners, so pick your favorite medium and get ready to create a masterpiece! Here are some resources for getting started with acrylics and watercolors. If you are feeling adventurous, try out some of these tutorials.

Spend a Night at the Opera

Each day, New York’s Metropolitan Opera will stream a different encore presentation of a performance featuring some of the world’s greatest and most talented singers. If you would like to learn more about a specific opera or the art form in general, the Met provides an educational video series covering a variety of topics.

Take a Cooking Class

Because restaurants aren’t a great idea right now, and you are probably tired of cooking the same old meals, YouTube can help you out of your food slump. With hundreds of cooking classes and videos to help you get creative with quarantine cuisine, you are sure to find a new dinner favorite, or at least have fun trying. If you’re not much of a cook, never fear. YouTube is also great for learning kitchen basics.

Social distancing is an important way for seniors to stay safe this summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Try one (or all!) of the ideas above or check out some of these additional activities to stay active and entertained.

If you do need to venture out, play it safe and follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, like wear a mask in public, avoid crowds, and stay two arm lengths away from others to protect yourself and them. Though it’s hard to stay inside, especially now that summer is here, seniors need to make health and safety a priority. There is plenty of fun to be had indoors, but if the beach is calling, I hear it’s lovely at sunrise.

Schedule a Tour