For Seniors: Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in April
When April arrives, the temperature rises and grasses and flowers begin to bloom, and we often find ourselves thinking, “Spring is here,” don’t we?
This time, we’re introducing fun activities and recreations recommended for April, especially for older adults!
We’ve gathered a wide range of options—things that get the body moving, engage the mind, and use the hands—so why not try the ones that look enjoyable to you?
At day-service centers and other senior facilities, please enjoy these recreations together while feeling the warm spring sunshine.
- [For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day-service centers. A collection of craft ideas for April
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Cherry-Blossom Viewing! Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- April events and observances that seniors can enjoy
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For seniors] April haiku. Exciting
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
[For Seniors] Fun for April! Games and Recreational Activities (71–80)
horticulture
Speaking of spring, it’s all about flowers, isn’t it? After the cold months, the colorful blooms we haven’t seen in a while lift our spirits and soothe the soul.
Garden centers and home improvement stores are full of many kinds of flowers in spring.
Even if you don’t have a yard or flower bed, how about getting a planter and some soil and planting some cute flowers? Some varieties bloom for a very long time, and others will bloom again next year if you take proper care of them after they finish flowering.
Working with soil might even take you back to your childhood, like playing in a sandbox again.
picture letter
I often see picture letters (etegami) displayed at local cultural festivals.
Whether it’s seasonal fruits or traditional events, the subjects seem to be filled with the charm of old Japan.
It’s said that calligrapher Kunio Koike established etegami as a genre.
Sending an etegami as a “spring greeting” to a friend who lives far away is a lovely idea.
There aren’t any strict rules for etegami: just choose a subject that adds a seasonal touch—like a kigo in haiku—and paint it as you like.
It’s curious how small mistakes start to look like part of the charm in etegami.
The basic rule is to keep the accompanying words short.
Relax by burning aromatherapy oils or incense
Incense sticks offered daily at the household Buddhist altar now come in a wide variety of scents.
Quince, jasmine, lavender—fragrances you wouldn’t have imagined for incense a generation ago.
Long ago, it’s said that in April a fragrant agarwood called jinsui drifted ashore on Awaji Island; by combining that with the character for “fragrance” (香), which can be decomposed to read as “eighteenth day” (十八日), April 18 has come to be known as Incense Day.
It sounds nice to burn incense or aromatics and enjoy the scents together.
You could each bring your favorite incense or essential oils and compare them! It’s stylish to change the fragrance by situation too—this scent for the restroom, that scent for the entryway.
[For Seniors] Fun for April! Games and Recreational Activities (81–90)
Making orange jelly
The flower language of the orange is “the bride’s joy.” Most fruits bear after the blossoms fall, but oranges are said to have the trait of carrying flowers and fruit at the same time, and in Europe they are considered symbols of love and abundance.
In honor of Orange Day on April 14—an idea proposed by citrus growers in Ehime Prefecture—let’s all try making orange jelly.
As for the oranges to use: if you like tart flavors, Valencia oranges with their strong acidity are recommended; if you prefer sweeter fruit, navel oranges are a good choice.
By the way, “Mikan Day” is on December 3 and isn’t related to Orange Day.
Soap making
April 26 is Good Bath Day.
Speaking of baths, you need soap.
With fats and caustic soda, it’s actually quite easy to make.
Add coconut oil to the basic ingredients for a soap that lathers well, or add olive oil for a more moisturizing bar.
Adding castor oil is also said to boost hydration.
It’s even more fun if everyone makes it together.
Handmade wall decoration
By having our users create various types of seasonal wall displays—such as three-dimensional pieces, individual creations, and collaborative works that form a single large piece—we can bring a sense of the seasons to the day service center while also providing fine motor exercise.
In addition, being able to see what they made each time they come may become one of the pleasures of attending day services.
Stained glass made from ohajiki (traditional Japanese glass game pieces)
How about making a stained-glass-like decoration using glass game pieces that highlights the warm spring sunlight? It’s a simple process: cut a clear plastic folder, draw a frame on it, and let people freely stick the pieces inside the frame.
Then just make a border with tape and it’s done.
It might also be fun to draw illustrations in the blank spaces with fluorescent markers.
Lining up the finished pieces should further emphasize their vivid look and cheerful atmosphere.
In conclusion
With the arrival of spring, why not add some new enjoyment to the lives of our seniors? The April games and recreational activities introduced here are easy to enjoy both indoors and in the garden.
As the cherry blossoms bloom, let’s share the joys of spring with family and friends and stay active and cheerful in both mind and body.