A Bouquet of Scents and Smiles — Sensory Fun at Sandown Court

Today, Lauren and Savanna brought a breath of fresh (‘fruit-filled’) air to Sandown Court with

a delightful sensory quiz.

Picture the scene: a whiff of pineapple, a guess of ‘citrus’, followed by laughter (and maybe just maybe a playful tiff over who guessed correctly). Each sniff led seamlessly into a conversation about the fruit’s origins, uses or quirky trivia—and suddenly, our small group brimmed with curiosity, shared stories, and bright moments of recognition.

Why it works (from an OT perspective):

• Sensory stimulation—especially scent—can instantly evoke memories, emotions, and connections, encouraging cognitive recall and mood elevation.

• The quiz format promotes engagement, social interaction, and conversation—ideal for building community in a light-hearted, playful way.

  

• Identifying smells uses olfactory and cognitive pathways, gently challenging memory and attention

  while engaging the senses in a multisensory experience.

  
  

Participants were alert, curious, and clearly enjoying themselves—and somewhere in those guesses and giggles, their brains were engaged, their senses were stimulated, and their social bonds strengthened.

It goes to show: therapy doesn’t always need to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as bringing in a basket of fruit scents—and watching the fun and connection unfold. Huge thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm, and can’t wait to sniff out our next group adventure!