50 Plus Activities

The Meaningful Meals for Seniors program identifies and connects socially isolated and vulnerable seniors to City programs, services and leisure opportunities. 

Through the delivery of healthy balanced meals, our volunteers and staff will connect seniors in our community with opportunities for social interaction. Learn More

Boost your creativity at home! This program aims to motivate and inspire you to capture your thoughts through a creative writing process. Write a note, a paragraph, a story, a poem or incorporate it into art – the choice is yours.

Each week, we will share the theme-of-the-week and provide writing prompts to help you get started. Start a binder or a journal for yourself and before long you will have a book to share with your family.

If you wish to share your written work, you may email it to us. Pavilions staff will write back to you.

Prompt 41: Back in Time

What historical period do you want to go back in time to visit? Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about returning to the past. Why do you admire this time period?

Prompt 40: Hobbies

Do you occupy your leisure time with hobbies? Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your hobbies. Are there hobbies you want to try and have not had the opportunity to experience yet?

Prompt 39: Brain Games

How do you keep your brain sharp? Researchers say playing games can help keep your mind healthy. Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about the brain games you enjoy, or a game you want to learn how to play. Describe how you feel when you exercise your brain and you think others should learn something new, too. 

Prompt 38: What Makes You Laugh?

How do you find humour in your daily life? Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about something that has made you laugh or continues to make you laugh. There is always a good story behind laughter.

Prompt 37: Joy

A new year and a new writing prompt. If you haven't been writing, now is a great time to start. Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about  something in your daily life that brings you joy. Could it be that first sip of coffee in the morning? A hot bath at the end of the day? Walking your dog around the block? There are so many joyful moments throughout the day. 

Prompt 36: Happy New Year!

Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem recapping your highlights of 2020 or intentions for the new year, 2021. 2020 has certainly been a very difficult year. You likely have many thoughts and memories, so this is a great opportunity to write it out. 

Prompt 35: Winter Fun

Share some ideas for fun winter activities you do between Christmas and New Years. When the days fall dark early and the rain or possibly snow is falling, what do you do to  keep yourself and your family occupied. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your fun winter memories or plans. 

Prompt 34: Holiday Music

As soon as December rolls around, holiday music starts playing on the air and festive seasonal advertising appears on the TV and online. Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your favourite or least favourite holiday song or jingle. Share why that song comes to mind. Is there a good story behind it?

Prompt 33: Masks

As masks are required in indoor public spaces, write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your experience wearing a mask. Have you been busy sewing your own unique masks? Have you supported small businesses that have released special edition masks? Or have you been relying on non-medical, disposal masks? 

Prompt 32: Traditions

No matter what you celebrate at this time of the year – Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and more – try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your family’s favourite traditions. Is it an activity, a special recipe or music? How are you ensuring the tradition continues safely this year? Will you create a new tradition this year because of the current times?  

Prompt 31: Observations

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a fish in a bowl looking at the outside world? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about observations and a time when you watched from the inside looking out. What did you see and feel? Do you think your experience would be different if you were on the outside looking in?

Prompt 30: Lest We Forget

As with most things this year, Remembrance Day will look a little different. Write a paragraph, a short story or a poem about Remembrance Day. How will you observe the day? Will you tune in to the federal Remembrance Day ceremony on television? How have you and your family paid your respects in the past to the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom?

Prompt 29: Just Be

Just be! What does this mean to you? Try writing a paragraph, a short story, or a poem focusing on these two words. How mindful are you of where you are in the present moment? Do you strive to be yourself and find comfort in just being who you are? Or, do you have goals to be someone or somewhere else?

Prompt 28: Trick-or-Treat

Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about Halloween and what this occasion means to you or not.  Do you dress up or  have a story about your best or worst costume? Do you enjoy going out, receiving or giving out treats? Does your family have some great Halloween memories that should be written up? What will Halloween 2020 look like in your home?

Prompt 27: Roads

Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about the any walkways, roads, streets or boulevards that are memorable for you. Maybe it’s a path in a forest, or has cobbled stones in a rustic village, or is a very busy intersection – there is often a story behind a street name!

Prompt 26: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to focus on all the things we are thankful or grateful for.  Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about the people or the things you appreciate having in your life or any experience you have had that makes you feel blessed.

Prompt 25: Seasons

What is your favourite season and why? Is there something that you like or dislike about each season? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem with your answers or insights. Seasons are also about change, so ponder how seasonal changes affect you.

Prompt 24: Weather

Fall is here! With cooler temperatures and inclement weather changing some of our activities to indoors rather than out, try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about any weather-related anecdotes you may have. Or share a seasonal recipe, activity or custom you like to make or do in autumn.  

Prompt 23: Positive Change 

It’s been quite a year! Despite the odds, we can all do our part to make positive change. How have you turned a negative into a positive? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about making positive changes in your outlook on things, or share how a positive change has made a huge difference in your life or in your community.

Prompt 22:  Perspective

We all have a different perspective on things happening around us. Our point of view can either be positive or negative. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about perspective on any topic that comes to mind where there may be more than one way to see things. Have you engaged in any good discussions or have a good story to share on this.

Prompt 21: Questions 

September usually means a return to school, university, or work after the summer. This year has been different and we have so many questions – Who? What? Why? Where? When? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about any or all of these questions. What are you pondering and what answers are you seeking in this time of uncertainty?

Prompt 20: Pathways

A pathway is a course of action taken to achieve a specific result. What is your pathway? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your choice of a pathway. Are you searching for less stress, to spending more time with family and friends, or just wanting to be a more kind and calm person?

Prompt 19: Comfort Zone

Do you have a special space, an specific activity or person, a beloved pet or an object that you recognize as being in your comfort zone?  Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about an experience, a memory, an item, person, pet or a place that brings you comfort during difficult times. These have been challenging times, share how you have tried to find solace to ease your stress.

Prompt 18: Spreading Your Wings

Have you done something that you never thought you would do?  Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about an experience, a memory or a goal you have accomplished or a challenge you would like to attempt to feel as though you are spreading your wings and achieving something memorable or important to you.

Prompt 17: Herbs and Spices

Do you grow herbs in your garden or in a container on your patio or kitchen window? Do you cook with herbs and spices? Are there flavours or smells you love or dislike? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about herbs or spices and include any recipes using any herbs or spices that you feel are share-worthy.

Prompt 16: Kindness

'Be Kind' is an important reminder for us all from Dr. Bonnie Henry. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about what kindness means to you. Share something kind you have experienced or an act of kindness that you have performed. How can we maintain kindness in our lives and in our community?

Prompt 15: Travel

Travelling to a far off destination by airplane or cruise ship has been put on hold. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about the trips you have experienced or share where you might like to go when travelling is no longer restricted due to the pandemic. Or, how have you made travel happen during these times?

Prompt 14: Hydration

As the weather becomes warmer it is important to keep hydrated. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about your favourite beverage and why you enjoy this drink. Do you have a favourite beverage recipe to share or maybe some tips on hydration that may help replace the water in our bodies.

Prompt 13: Shopping

Most retail stores have been opening with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Many people have become accustomed to shopping online. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about any shopping stories you may have. Do you enjoy shopping? What was your best bargain or your worst deal? Have you had an amazing shopping experience or the opposite?

Prompt 12: Summer Flowers

Summer is the best time for flowers to grow wild and in gardens. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about the flowers you love, the flowers you have chosen to grow or flowers you have received. They say that there is a Language of Flowers; do you speak it? Do you believe all blooms do have a meaning, such as a red rose symbolizes true love?

Prompt 11: Canada Day

What does Canada Day mean to you? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or poem about July 1 and share your thoughts or memories of being Canadian, of living in this beautiful country, past Canada Day experiences or how you will celebrate with family or friends with COVID-19 rules in place.

Prompt 10: Summer!

We are officially into the Summer season! Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about this season or share a special memory about a summer adventure in the past, or your plan for upcoming summer fun now that Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Restart Plan is upon us.

Prompt 9: Fathers

Fathers provide an endless source of stories – poignant, amusing, insightful. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem about this formidable or inspiring figure that you have encountered in your life or know exists in this world.

Prompt 8: Vegetables & Fruit

The Canada Food Guide tells us to “eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.”  Farmers’ Markets are now open and we have so many choices. Do you have a list of favourites or a list that you avoid eating?  Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to express how you feel about vegetables and/or fruits; or perhaps you have a tried and true recipe using either vegetables or fruits to share.>

Prompt 7: Words of Wisdom

We celebrate Seniors Week the first week of June. What profound and inspiring words do you have to share if you are a senior, or what advice have you received from a senior that has made a lasting impact on you? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to express or impart some words of wisdom.

Prompt 6: Hope 

As we move into the next phase of the current challenging situation, we HOPE that we can adjust to our new normal. What have you hoped for? Do you believe in hope? Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to describe how you have experienced the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Prompt 5: Finding Treasure

We all dream about finding hidden treasures. Anything of value to you can be a treasure. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to describe either an object, a person, an experience that you consider a memorable or cherished treasure.

Prompt 4: Gift of Giving

We all love receiving gifts no matter what the occasion. However, the act of giving is as equally gratifying. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to describe the best gift you have ever received or given. It could be an about time, an item, a feeling or an experience.

Prompt 3:  Sweet Treats & Baked Goodies!

As we are sheltering at home, many people have been finding old family recipes or are trying out new ones to bake or make sweet treats and baked goodies. Try writing a paragraph, a short story or a poem to describe your favourite dessert, or how you feel when eating something delicious, or maybe you have a recipe to share with a good story behind it.

Prompt 2: Spring Happiness

Describe how you can find happiness in this season or write about anything related to Spring. Is there any particular memory that you can write a story, a paragraph or a poem about finding joy at this time of the year?

Prompt 1: "Hello" 

Write about the first time you met someone or the first time you said Hello to a new place, a new home or a new experience. Stretch your imagination on how to tell a story that starts with Hello.

Happy writing!

Do you know an adult over 50 in Coquitlam who is living on their own and could benefit from more social connection?

Coquitlam's Social Connections Program is a great way for seniors to connect with others, spark new friendships and learn about what's happening in the community—all through a weekly phone call. 

To learn more or to sign up, call 604-927-6098. 

Interested in volunteering? Brightening someone's day is just a phone call away! All volunteers are screened and carefully matched by City staff. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity and sign up.