[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?
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [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)
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.
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.
Rolling Table Tennis
When you think of table tennis, many people might imagine a high-intensity sport.
The “Korokoro Table Tennis” we’re introducing here is an easy tabletop version you can play using items like empty boxes.
You roll a ping-pong ball across a table, and the “rackets” are empty milk cartons.
Think of it like the air hockey games you find in arcades: you rally by returning the ball back and forth.
If you fail to return it and let it fall, it’s out and your opponent scores a point.
You can place tissue boxes or other empty boxes on the sides as guards, but if you knock those off, your opponent also scores.
Capsule Korokoro
You’ve probably seen capsule toy machines filled with toys and merchandise at arcades or supermarkets.
Let’s use those round capsules to play a lively game.
Attach a stick to an empty tissue box and use it to roll a capsule across a table.
The goal is to land the capsule in a target without letting it fall off the table.
To make the game even more fun, create gaps between the targets.
Placing the capsule without dropping it into the gaps is a great way for older adults to show their skill.
Cheering on the players and calling out to them can spark interaction with the people around them, too.
Simple Darts
Simple Darts is a fun game idea you can make using a small whiteboard and magnets.
Draw a large circle on the whiteboard with a smaller circle in the center.
Divide the large circle into eight sections and assign points to each one.
The center circle should be the highest score: 100 points.
Wrap the magnets in any fabric you like.
The rules are simple: throw the magnets at the whiteboard and compete based on the score where they stick.
It’s sure to be exciting as either an individual or team game.
You can easily prepare it since whiteboards and magnets are available at 100-yen shops.
Casual Ball Curling
Curling is a well-known sport in the Olympics, so many of you may already be familiar with it.
It’s a team game where both sides compete to see whose ball can get closer to the center ball.
Preparing this recreation is simple: just get several balls and place some marker tape.
With that alone, you can create a fun activity that helps participants interact more with each other.
It can be enjoyed while seated, which is another great point, as it allows older adults to take part according to their physical and mental condition.
Games to Enjoy with Handmade Tools (11–20)
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.
