[For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
Have fun moving your body together while giving your brain a workout, too! If you’re looking for games that train balance, indoor recreation is highly recommended.
We’ll introduce ideas you can fully enjoy even while seated, such as the Chopstick Pick-Up Game, the Balance UFO Game, and Ping-Pong Ball Transfer.
In particular, the actions of carefully pulling out chopsticks and placing items on a disc naturally build concentration and a sense of balance.
These ideas are perfect for seniors to enjoy together, so why not give them a try?
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- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
Games to Enjoy with Handmade Tools (1–10)
reversible disk
Reversible Discs is a recreational game that combines elements of Othello and curling.
The rules are simple: players throw discs—like a frisbee—painted in their team’s color, and score points if the disc lands on the target.
However, the underside of each disc is painted in the opposing team’s color, so if it flips over, the points go to the other team.
It’s perfect for playing with a large group.
By the way, you can make the discs by cutting circles out of cardboard.
Let’s blow them away with a Kamehameha.
Many people have probably admired the idea of attacking with shockwaves from your hands after seeing it in stories.
This game is inspired by that scene: you launch a handheld device forcefully from your hand to try to knock down plastic bottles.
You’ll use a milk carton that’s been cut with small slits and a rubber band.
By setting the rubber band and folding the opposite side, you create a mechanism that snaps back.
Stack several of these, grip them in your hand, and when given the signal, open your hand slightly—the device will shoot forward with force.
Besides focusing on the satisfying feel, it’s also recommended to think about the best angle to more effectively knock down the bottles.
Paper Cup Shooting Game
Shateki (target shooting) is a festival stall classic, and I think its appeal lies in the exhilarating feeling of hitting the target.
This is a game that recreates shateki with paper cups, letting you easily enjoy the atmosphere of target shooting.
The gun is made simply by cutting out the bottom of a paper cup and attaching a balloon; the balloon’s elastic return launches a ball forward.
Deciding how to set up the targets is important too—put care into the arrangement and decorations so players can really feel the fun of hitting them.
It’s a game that heightens focus on your hands as you figure out how much force to use and at what angle to shoot.
Pull-and-Find Treasure Hunt Game
It’s a treasure-hunt game where you pull a basket or box filled with various items using a string or similar, and search for the target item inside.
Because it simultaneously trains arm strength for pulling the string, listening skills to accurately catch the prompt, and visual acuity to find the presented item, it’s recommended as a recreational activity for older adults.
If you play it in a competitive format, it also requires quick reflexes, making it a fun way to improve abilities—another big advantage.
Give it a try!
Billiards Challenge
Here’s a billiards challenge that lets you train your hands and arms while having fun.
Attach paper cups to the edge of a table and put up a scoring chart with values like 10 points or 30 points.
Place the balls at the designated spot on the opposite side, and use a stick-made cue to strike the balls and aim for high scores.
Adding bonuses—such as doubling the points for balls of a specific color—makes it even more exciting.
It can be done standing or seated, so anyone can join and enjoy.
It’s also recommended as a recreational activity for senior care facilities.
Mop Game
Cleaning is essential in daily life.
This time, we’ll introduce a way to boost practical life skills while having fun with a game.
Use a mop made by attaching tissue to a stick to tidy paper cups into a designated area.
To place them without knocking them over, you’ll need to use push, pull, and slide motions with the mop, as well as adjust your force and speed.
Adding a time limit or setting a maximum number of touches on the paper cups increases the game-like challenge and makes it more enjoyable.
Move your body while playing, and engage the muscles that are useful for everyday life.
straw blowgun
It is said that training your lung capacity is effective for preventing illnesses like pneumonia.
One activity we recommend trying is the “straw blow dart.” This involves inserting a thin straw into a bendable straw and blowing it out like a blowgun.
It helps strengthen lung function, and aiming at a target can also relieve stress.
However, there’s a risk of accidentally inhaling the straw, so be sure to bend the flexible straw firmly beforehand.
That way, even if you inhale by mistake, you don’t have to worry about the straw poking your mouth.