What are some good, inexpensive activities for someone with dementia?

Such good ideas! My husband has always worked in some way in place of hobbies. He didn't particularly like chores or renovation at HOME, but he worked hard on the farm. I have tried to interest him in books, listening to music, word search books, etc. but he's not interested. Maybe reading is more difficult than he lets on. He tries so hard to be interested and pleasant when we're together, but he's nearly non-verbal now. Most of the time, he tries very hard not to be a bother and won't even say he's cold when he's shaking. He does watch a lot of television--football, car races, golf, action shows; and I tease him about how they're great to nap by, just as I always have. He grins and it feels almost like the old normal. Even though he didn't like home repairs, I could usually count on him for a sound opinion on HOW to fix or build something. Yes, I became Mrs. Fix-it and actually liked the knowledge as well as the actual work. But now I can't get his expert opinion on how to proceed with much of anything. He always replies that he doesn't know, which is, as usual, truthful. I still ask him, though, out of habit I guess. Hope it doesn't make him sad to realize he can't help and that I still rely on him. He was recently "caught" unloading the dishwasher and later filling the birdfeeders off the deck (no ladder needed thanks to his clever set-up many years ago). I always thank him profusely and let him know he's going to find it more difficult to get away with just lazing around the house! He's not getting better, but I hope I'm getting better at helping him live in this new reality.

how about some coloring books for adults, finger painting (please supervise), cards with pictures on them (children cards), puzzles for children, anything that a young child could do. listening to music he likes, wishing you luck.

Take a ping pong ball or golf ball(which is slower) and with paddle or spoon roll it back and forth across the table to eachother... Just make up a name and when they hit it, get very excited that they got a point..
Cards: memory game using 6 cards.
Also, i know you don't want to spend money so maybe a cheaper version of an iPad BUT I bought one for mom ($2000) and it is the best money spent - you can buy cheaper or other version. Apps; there are memory apps and different games and it is big enough to have them engage. I also find her favorite artists, music, concerts, gardening, weddings etc..- she just loves it . We watch together and talk and laugh - you can find anything there.

We just got my brother in law sensory fidget items: Rainbow Circle Push Pop Bubble Fidget Sensory Toy it keeps their minds going. When he gets a little upset he goes to this and calms him down.

Google as I did. See below. Gena / Touch Matters

Banish Caregiver Burnout by Keeping a Loved One With Dementia Engaged 
Find tasks and activities to make those with memory challenges feel useful
by Lee Woodruff, AARP, April 13, 2021 / Lee Woodruff is a caregiver, speaker and author. She and her husband, Bob, cofounded the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which assists injured service members and their families.

"Look for activities that provide existence with meaning,” Fontaine advises. “Try to plan things that are oriented toward success, seem failure-free and are connected to something that has purpose for your loved one.

Create a collage from magazines.
Twist nuts and bolts together or sort them in containers.
Play music the person loves.
Dance (to the above; perhaps very slowly)
Do a paint-by-numbers piece or another art project (don't worry if it's done correctly).
Fold clothes or sort socks.
Wash, sort or polish silverware.
Sort objects, and find tops for plastic containers.
Look at coffee table books.
Clip coupons.
Color foreign flags
Make cards with stamps, stickers and colored pencils.
Mold dough or use modeling clay.
Do simple jigsaw puzzles.
Sand wood or do other easy and safe workshop projects.
Decorate placemats.
Pull weeds and rake leaves.
Trace cut leaves.
Sort coins.
If I were to add to this list . . .
give a manicure (color or clear) (is also a hand massage/physical touch connection)
Nat'l Geographic - Cut out animal pictures

Buy construction (?) paper / colors and mix it all up and ask them to sort the colors.
Or get a guide from a paint store of the colors and see what you can do with them.

Gena

Folding towels - no matter how he does it. Take basket from him and then return it later on. Basket of socks - see if he can roll them up or sort them by color. Whatever he can do with them.

Could he go outside to feed birds or squirrels? If so, put some feeders out there. Hide the food and you dispense to him what you want fed by handing him a small cup of food. Break it down to several small amounts a day. That would get him walking several times a day.

Sushicam: Imho, perhaps sorting wash cloths and towels would be a good activity for your father. I am definitely not going to suggest puzzles or buttons, else these are items that could end up in your father's mouth.

Frances, I would be afraid her dad could put the buttons in his mouth and choke. on them, You mean well, but not a good idea.

My mother plays on the kids piano and we all sing with her. She loves it. We also have singing sessions. My mother likes to people watch so she sits on the front sunporch and is content and I also play some Irish music and she taps and claps to the beat.

With my mum, I liked to do sit and fit videos off of you tube. She also like to bat a balloon back and forth. I bought badminton racquets at the dollar store and used those with a balloon. I also bought large children's balls at the dollar store and we drummed on them and sang her favorite songs. Her dementia has progressed so she can't do all of these any more. She still likes music:)

I would focus on his senses.

- Music veered to spark memories of his youth
- old radio murder mysteries (try looking these up on YouTube. They’re much shorter than a book on tape, and he might find it restful on his eyes, as he wouldn’t be staring into a screen.)
- sensory activities for his hands (do a google search. Most of these will be toddler related, but given his state, be might find them stimulating.)
- do a photo walk with him by looking through old photo albums
- try a meditation exploration on YouTube. Look for ones that play forest sounds, and water sounds, as they “walk” you through a forest.

Fidget blankets work nicely but can be pricey. You can find themed ones like for men who loved to fish, fix things, etc. It’s just a blanket with different activities sewn to it. It occupies their fingers when bored.

Untangling Christmas lights, untangling coat hangers.

I got a 25' rope at a hardware store. Not a thin one, but one that was easy to handle. I tied knots all along the rope and gave him the rope to untie the knots. It absorbed him for about an hour! When he was done, he spent about a half hour bundling the rope up.

I agree with what was posted: a bird or hummingbird feeder close to a window provides lots of interesting action. Sorting is a great activity and hoping you can leave him to do it by himself (there's no "wrong way" to sort, fyi). You can use RummiQ tiles, Monopoly money, plastic utensils, nuts and bolts, poker chips, etc. The things should be easy for him to manipulate with his hands and fingers, so probably the larger the items the better. I gave my aunt poker chips to sort and when I went to check on her progress she had put them in a pattern instead - yay! You can collect unopened junk mail from neighbors and have him open the envelopes, anything that feels "helpful" or productive. He'll sleep better at night too because he burned both mental and physical energy. Wishing you all the best on this journey with him!

Sorting cards. (by suit, color, number...)
Puzzles. (get the sturdy wood ones that kids play with.)
Blocks.
Lego
coloring
painting
Activities that might help you...
Folding towels
sorting socks
Take him for a walk or a drive. (If it is safe to do so. I am assuming he is in a wheelchair so a walk might be easier) Getting out would be good for both of you.
Just sitting and talking to him. YOU talk to him. Talk about the family vacations you took, talk about what you did that day, talk about anything..

You can read to him, play his favorite music, take him outside(in wheelchair if needed)for a stroll through the neighborhood or local park, or just let him sit outside on the porch or patio to watch the birds. And the nice thing with all of those suggestions is that they don't cost you anything, other than time. Best wishes.