This sensory smell kit uses 30 scent-filled cups paired with illustrated picture cards to engage the olfactory sense through matching activities. It suits individual sessions with residents who have a diminished sense of smell, as well as small group sensory games where participants work through different ability levels.
How it can be used
Run it as a straightforward one-to-one matching activity, or draw on the six included game variations to adjust difficulty and keep sessions fresh. The self-sealing cups protect the scents between uses, and a guide with reproducible artwork supports session planning without extra preparation.
The kit includes:
- 30 scent-filled, self-sealing cups
- Illustrated picture cards for scent matching
- Six game variations for different ability levels
- A session guide with reproducible artwork
- One-to-one matching: Present a single scented cup and ask the resident to find the matching picture card. Work through cups at a pace that suits the individual.
- Group identification round: Pass a cup around a small group and invite each person to name the scent before revealing the card. Encourage brief conversation about memories linked to the smell.
- Ability-tiered games: Select one of the six included game variations to match the cognitive and sensory ability of the group, adjusting the number of cups in play to increase or reduce difficulty.
- Reminiscence prompt: Use familiar scents such as baked goods or garden smells as a starting point for conversation about past experiences, pairing the activity with related picture cards.
- Sorting challenge: Lay out a selection of cups and cards face up and ask participants to sort or group them by scent category before confirming matches.
- Cups: 30 scent-filled, self-sealing cups
- Cards: Illustrated picture cards for matching (one per scent)
- Scent longevity: Scents stated to last for years
- Included guide: session guide with reproducible artwork
- Game variations: Six game ideas included for varying ability levels


