[For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities

chess

Chess Rules: A Beginner’s Guide

Chess is like a Western version of shogi.

The basics are very similar to shogi—it’s a game where you win by capturing the king.

That similarity is natural, since chess and shogi share the same ancestral game! Chess is played on a black-and-white checkered board using three-dimensional white and black pieces.

There are fewer pieces than in shogi, and captured pieces are not returned to play.

When setting up the board, make sure the square at your near left is a black square.

If on your next move you can capture the opponent’s king, you say “check,” and if the opponent has no way to escape and capture is unavoidable, you say “checkmate,” and the game ends.

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SAKI

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Brain training with gojūon (Japanese syllabary) cards

[Fun Recreation] Brain Training with Japanese Syllabary Cards! Directly from Kenichi Yamaguchi!

As we age, it seems we may sometimes forget words.

So let’s use a set of kana cards to stimulate the brain.

First, arrange the cards in order starting from the A-row together with the older adult.

The act of arranging itself is said to help activate the brain.

Use the cards to form words—the more letters a word has, the higher the points.

Additionally, once a card has been used to make a word, it cannot be used again.

Treat voiced and semi-voiced marks (dakuten and handakuten) as a single card and make them count for points as well.

If someone can’t think of a word, it’s helpful for those around to offer hints like, “Let’s think of a word that starts with A.”

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Nakajima Junko

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Proverb Matching Game

[Senior Recreation] Card Game: Proverb Matching!

There are many proverbs in Japan, right? For example, “Even a dog will run into a stick” and “Birds of a feather flock together.” Let me introduce a card game based on such proverbs.

Prepare several proverbs split into two cards each.

Place the split proverb cards on the table, and match two cards to complete each proverb.

Recalling proverbs helps stimulate the brain.

It also seems likely to deepen interaction as people call out to each other and cooperate.

In addition, proverbs are familiar to many older adults, so this game may be easy for them to engage with.

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Nakajima Junko

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Old Maid

[Elderly Care Activity] Try Your Luck! Simple Card Game ♥️ Old Maid Flip 🃏

I’d like to introduce “Baba Mekuri,” a simple yet exciting game.

You shuffle and lay out the cards at random, then flip them over in turn; the player who flips a Joker first loses.

Using oversized playing cards instead of a standard deck can make the game run more smoothly.

You can also play with three or more players using the same rules, or even try a team format for extra fun.

By the way, you can buy oversized playing cards at 100-yen shops.

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yamamoto

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Milk Carton Craft: Rock-Paper-Scissors Bingo

Milk Carton Rock-Paper-Scissors O/X Bingo

In this game, whoever wins rock-paper-scissors places their own marker—made from a milk carton—on a grid, and the first to complete three lines wins.

Because placement depends on the outcome of rock-paper-scissors, you get a different kind of mind game than the usual take-turns format.

Not only is placement strategy important, but figuring out how to win at rock-paper-scissors also becomes a key factor.

If there’s a big skill gap in rock-paper-scissors, it’s a good idea to add handicaps, such as changing the number of lines needed to win.

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kappamaki

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Beanbag Bingo

Recreation for seniors: simple brain training, exciting, can be done one-handed! Beanbag Bingo

This is a game where players alternately place beanbags on a grid, and the first to make a line of four wins.

It’s important to aim to complete a line with your own color, but you should also be mindful of blocking your opponent’s line.

Using beanbags is another key feature—the action of carrying and placing them on the grid helps develop grip strength and provides arm exercise.

The game strongly emphasizes strategic thinking, as play style varies by player, so you’ll need to adapt your strategy depending on your opponent.

By playing repeatedly, you may even discover your own surefire winning methods.

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kappamaki

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Shogi

Shogi Beginner Course, Lesson 1: Objectives and Piece Movements — Rule 1

Shogi has drawn a lot of attention, including the rise of teenage prodigy professionals! Many seniors also enjoy shogi as a hobby.

Simply put, shogi is a game where you try to capture the opponent’s king while protecting your own.

Each piece moves differently in terms of squares and directions, and players use their heads by reading several moves ahead.

Also, because shogi begins and ends with a bow, it helps us reconnect with the Japanese spirit of courtesy.

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SAKI

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