[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
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- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
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- [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 (11–20)
Okonomiyaki Game
Let me introduce an okonomiyaki game that’s guaranteed to get everyone excited.
Cut cardboard into circles, stick on printed okonomiyaki designs, and make about 20 okonomiyaki pieces.
The thickness of the cardboard is up to you, but if it’s too thin, flipping them might be a bit harder.
Once you spread the 20 okonomiyaki pieces out on a table, the game begins.
Use a spatula to flip the okonomiyaki one by one.
Time yourself, and when you’ve flipped them all, you’re done.
The challenge is how many seconds it takes to flip all 20! It’s great brain exercise too—highly recommended.
Tap and pop!
This is a game where you tap a cardboard box from the side to flip over a plastic bottle cap placed on top using the impact.
Encourage players to focus on controlling their strength so the box doesn’t break while the force is properly transmitted to the cap.
The rule is simple: the player who flips the most caps wins.
This makes players think carefully about how much force to apply and at what angle.
If you hit too hard, the cap may fly off the box; adding a rule that this results in a point deduction will help players concentrate more on control, so that variation is recommended as well.
3 Fun Rubber Band Games
Rubber is characterized by its springy motion, and controlling your strength is necessary to make it move the way you want.
Let’s take on games that use rubber’s movement to help improve strength control and concentration.
In Rubber Rubber Shooter, you’ll feel the force used to launch; in Rubber Rubber Kick Bowling, the force of the rebound; and in Rubber Rubber Curling, the nuances of delicate movement.
By paying attention to how the way you apply force affects how it springs back and by adjusting that force, you’ll likely find your movements become smoother in everyday life as well.
Korokoro Push Game
It’s a game where you use a stick to keep balls from falling as they roll toward you.
Since the field where the balls roll is far away, your ability to control a long stick that can effectively transfer force to the balls is put to the test.
The rules increase the number of balls gradually over time, which adds a decision-making element about which ball to tap.
It’s a game that can train various skills—judgment, speed, control, and how you apply force—by keeping all these factors in mind.
Fishing game
The “fishing game” is also a popular recreational activity.
This time, I’ll introduce an easy way to enjoy it.
First, draw fish on paper and attach a paper clip to each one.
Then, write random numbers on the back.
Players use a string with a magnet to “catch” the fish.
The number written on the fish is added to their score.
If you assign high points to small fish, for example, the unexpected twist makes it more lively and fun.
It can also be interesting to adapt the theme to things other than fish.
Let’s look for some fish and try catching them!
The fish-finding game played as a recreation activity for older adults is always a big hit.
It’s easy to enjoy not only for those who love fishing, but also for complete beginners.
The game involves placing various fish on a table and catching them with a rod.
A staff member calls out the name of a fish on the table, and the older adults look for it.
Because it requires split-second decisions, it helps develop their powers of observation.
Through this game, older adults can learn fish names, and it also serves as brain training, so it’s highly recommended.
Finger play that trains dexterity and the brain at the same time (1–10)
Tabletop Curling
Curling, also known as “chess on ice,” is a game that really makes you think.
Let’s enjoy a simple tabletop version! Simple as it is, this one will still work your brain.
Draw lines on the table to create a target area.
The center scores the highest; slide cardboard pieces (as stand-ins for stones) so they land within the rings.
Assign different colors of cardboard to each team.
Naturally, the winner is the one whose piece ends up closest to the center—but you’ll also need technique, like knocking an opponent’s stone away to move yours closer.
