[Respect-for-the-Aged Day Celebration] Laughter All Around! Ideas for Performances and Games You Can Enjoy While Seated
The program for Respect-for-the-Aged Day is a precious time that will become a special memory for our seniors.
Through performances and games, let’s create heartwarming moments of connection.
We’ve prepared a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy together—lively conversations over a meal, the light rhythm of dance, the laughter of comedy improv, and the excitement of magic.
All ideas are designed to be enjoyed while seated, so participants who use wheelchairs or walk with canes can join with ease.
Between programs, conversation will naturally flow, creating wonderful memories.
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Respect-for-the-Aged Day Gathering: Laughter Abounds! Seated Entertainment and Game Ideas (21–30)
Smile-Up Exercises
The Smile-Up Exercise, which creates laughter just from clapping, is a recreation activity everyone at a senior gathering can enjoy.
Participants clap their hands by imitating the person at the front.
When the leader throws a feint and doesn’t clap, any sound that occurs is a mistake—so everyone bursts into laughter.
If clapping is difficult, participants can tap their knees or other areas instead, so anyone can join.
Because you have to watch carefully and avoid moving based on assumptions, it may also be useful for rehabilitation.
It’s a game that brings smiles to everyone, including the staff.
dance
Glamorous dance performances are a popular, standard act not only for Respect-for-the-Aged Day gatherings but in many different settings.
Whether powerful or moody, they’re something older adults can enjoy.
If possible, choose simple routines or well-known dances that allow everyone to move their hands together—this helps create a stronger sense of unity.
With their flashiness, these highly entertaining acts are sure to liven up any event.
Song Exercise: Festival Mambo
The key is dancing with a uchiwa fan! Here are some ideas for a sing-along exercise to “Omatsuri Mambo.” In summer, many of us use uchiwa fans to beat the heat, right? This time, let’s move our bodies and exercise to Hibari Misora’s “Omatsuri Mambo.” The video shows choreography you can copy either standing or sitting, so give it a try.
Using a uchiwa fan makes the movements look more striking!
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko Song
Let’s perform a celebratory dance to Kiyoshi Hikawa’s signature song, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko Bushi.” The fact that it’s a gentle enka number is a big point—it can help not only the dancers but also the audience feel relaxed as they watch.
Since the song doesn’t have fixed choreography, deciding what kind of movements to use is important; imagining something like a Bon Odori style might make it easier to understand.
Put care into the costumes as well, and make sure to convey both the joy of matching movements to the song and the spirit of celebration.
kusudama (decorative paper ball used for celebrations)
How about using a festive kusudama to really liven up a celebratory event and highlight the joy? The classic contents are a banner with a message and confetti, but the fact that you don’t know what’s inside until you open it heightens the sense of anticipation.
Pulling the string with a countdown and having the message burst onto the scene is exciting even when you already know the result.
It’s important to think about how the message will be written and what kind of decorations will flutter out, so you can create a kusudama that makes the moment even more fun.
loach scooping
Dojo-sukui is a dance that can be called a traditional performing art, performed to the folk song “Yasugibushi” from Yasugi City in Shimane Prefecture.
With comical movements that suggest bending low at the waist to scoop up loaches, it expresses a sense of fun.
The costume is important for creating its distinctive atmosphere—wear a tenugui headcloth and a coin-shaped nose piece (modeled after an old one-mon coin), among other details.
While the loach-scooping motion is the classic motif, there are actually no fixed steps, so the performer’s ad-libbing is put to the test.
Presentation of gifts
For the annual Respect-for-the-Aged gathering, why not present a gift as a token of appreciation? Items that suit the preferences of older adults, handmade gifts, heartfelt message cards or flowers… From practical items and decorative pieces to intangible gifts like words or haiku, all can be wonderful choices.
A gift given with genuine feeling can gently warm the recipient’s heart.
Consider what to give while asking about each person’s individual hobbies and preferences.
