Creative Projects for Bed-Bound People

Being bed-bound can be one of the most frustrating - and boring! - things that can happen to a person. After enough hours, even the most binge-worthy Netflix series or page-turning book collection can become unappealing.

Here are a few ideas for creative projects that can help break up the monotony. Many of them can be done by people of any age, so they would be great activities to do to make memories with the grandkids or other members of your family.

Without further ado, the project ideas:

1) Coloring books.

Do you remember the adult coloring book craze of a few years ago? Well, it is still a popular activity, and there are coloring books for just about every interest, ranging from different dog breeds, to quilt designs, to fishing, to movie quotes, and so many more. You can still be really creative even when you are coloring within the lines!

And if your loved one has trouble with smaller-diameter pencils and markers, they now make a wide variety of “jumbo”- sized art supplies specifically for people who have arthritis and similar conditions.

2) Watercolor + watercolor markers

While some people manage to do acrylic and even oil paintings from bed, many times, this is just a bit too messy for most people. But watercolors are much smaller, and watercolors are generally created on a flat surface so you won’t even need an easel. And to make it even easier, there are watercolor pencils and watercolor markers available, so you don’t even need to keep a cup of water on the table while you are working.

3) Rock painting

A popular project for kids and adults alike is painting rocks for the garden and yard. And since most of the cities here in Curry County are very close to rivers or the ocean, finding smooth rocks is really easy! You can purchase acrylic paint and paintbrushes at the dollar store.

4) Coloring book, drawing, and painting apps

Love the idea of making artwork, but don’t want the mess-factor? No problem! They make phone and tablet apps that closely mimic the look and feel of traditional art techniques. Procreate for the iPad is one of the better all-around art apps, and Adobe Fresco does an amazing job helping you create digital paintings- especially watercolors. There are coloring book apps, paint-by-numbers apps, photo manipulation apps, and more. One of the best parts about digital artwork is that it is really easy to share your work via email or social media with loved ones who may live far away.

Are you feeling inspired to do something artistic? Are there other tools, projects, or techniques that you really enjoy? Share your ideas with us in the comments below!