Liven up the Respect-for-the-Aged gathering: A roundup of recreational activities everyone can enjoy.

Uchiwa Balloon Relay

[Physical Play] Fan the uchiwa and do a balloon relay!

This is a relay-style game where players move while keeping a balloon bouncing with a handheld fan (uchiwa), go to a target point, and come back.

Competing in teams helps build strong focus on the balloon and good movement speed.

If you skillfully incorporate a forward flick with the fan, you can gain speed, but quick forward movement is also required, so good judgment is key.

If keeping the balloon bouncing while moving is too hard, another recommended rule is to keep the balloon resting on the fan as you go.

By alternating your gaze between the balloon in your hand and the direction of travel, you can also sharpen your visual focus.

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kappamaki

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Onigiri Kororin Game

This activity is awesome! So much fun for everyone! Everyone gets excited! The Onigiri Rolling Game 🍙 #dayservice #elderlyrecreation #senior #rehabilitation #daycare #shorts #grandma #onigiri #game

How about trying the sure-to-be-exciting “Rolling Rice Ball Game”? Attach yarn to a paper plate and make rice balls and obstacles.

Place the rice balls you made on the paper plate and start the game! Reel in the yarn, and if you can bring the rice ball all the way to you without dropping it, you succeed.

There are obstacles made from plastic wrap or construction paper along the way, so be careful not to let it fall! The winner is decided both by speed and by how many rice balls you can transport without dropping them.

It’s a recreation activity that gets not only the older adults pulling the string excited, but also everyone watching around them.

Please feel free to use this as a reference!

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moko

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Onigiri Concentration

[Senior Recreation] Onigiri Concentration (Memory Game)

This is a concentration/memory game where you flip over onigiri cards and try to match the same fillings.

Since there are many cards for each filling—like “12 umeboshi” and “6 cod roe”—you have a relatively high chance of getting a match even when drawing at random, which is part of the appeal.

While it’s important to engage your memory—such as recalling where cards were—be sure to celebrate correct matches so everyone feels good and stays enthusiastic about the game.

If matching proves difficult, it’s also recommended to reveal all the cards and give players time to memorize their locations.

In the end, compare everyone’s hands and get excited about how each set of fillings came together.

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kappamaki

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Fluffy ball

[Sports Recreation] Exciting 🎈Fluffy Ball🎈 #shorts #dayservice #recreation #seniors #minigame #beanbags #balloons #rehabilitation #caregiving #carefacility #Yamanashi #Kofu

This is a game where you throw a balloon connected by a string to a beanbag toward a target with point values, aiming for the highest score.

Since you hold and throw the balloon, timing it like a pendulum is the key.

You’ll move your body broadly to transfer force to the beanbag, which helps develop smooth upper-body movement.

Throwing forward can make the pendulum motion tricky, so I recommend a rule where you throw sideways.

You can also adjust the difficulty by changing the balloon’s size or the beanbag’s weight.

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kappamaki

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karaoke

Who wouldn’t think of their hometown? Healthy Singing Voice Karaoke

Karaoke is something you can enjoy even in a short bit of free time, and it’s great for relieving stress.

There’s a unique pleasure in singing at the top of your lungs that nothing else can replace.

Solo karaoke is fun, but getting lively with a group also sounds exciting.

Another way to enjoy karaoke is to use a machine with a scoring feature.

It will surely motivate you to go to karaoke.

Plus, since it analyzes your singing voice, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to improve.

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yamamoto

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Karaoke Contest

Joy Paradise July 29 Karaoke Contest 2

Back when today’s seniors were in their youth, I don’t think karaoke boxes like the ones we have now existed yet.

If people wanted to sing together, they probably relied on so-called sing-along cafés or the “8-track” karaoke machines in snack bars.

Some might never have sung in front of others at all.

A casual, in-house karaoke party would let everyone enjoy singing without worrying about those around them.

If you’re shy about singing solo, forming a group and singing children’s songs could be a good option! Raising your voice is said to be good for your health, so it’s a plan that kills two birds with one stone.

Small prizes would make it even more fun.

Soran-bushi exercise

Soran-bushi exercise

Many older adults may be familiar with the Soran Bushi, don’t you think? I’ve heard it’s sometimes performed at school sports days.

Just hearing the rhythm and calls of Soran Bushi can make you feel energized.

Let’s try some exercises to the spirited rhythm of Soran Bushi.

Move your body by extending your hands forward or raising them overhead like a banzai cheer.

It can be done while seated, so many older adults should be able to take part.

If it’s a song they know, older adults will likely enjoy doing the exercises comfortably.