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 (41–50)
Flying Insect Quiz
Here’s a quiz where you guess which insects can fly.
The premise itself is interesting, right? Three insects appear at a time, but there isn’t always just one correct answer, and it’s fascinating that some unexpected insects can or can’t fly.
Plus, the English names of the insects are shown, so you can learn those at the same time, which seems like great brain training.
If any unfamiliar insect names or behaviors catch your interest, it’s also recommended to look them up.
It’s a very informative quiz, isn’t it?
[For Older Adults] Fun for April! Games and Recreational Activities (51–60)
Spring Vegetable Quiz
Speaking of spring, everything starts anew, so it’s really exciting, isn’t it? And spring vegetables are a must for this season! Many people may not actually know much about spring vegetables, so this time I’ll introduce them in a quiz format.
What comes to mind when you think of spring vegetables? Vegetables that are in season in spring have plenty of nutrients because they grow after enduring the winter cold.
By eating spring vegetables, your body can absorb nutrients well and you can stay healthy.
Spring also brings temperature swings that can throw your autonomic nervous system off balance.
At times like that, it helps to know the names of spring vegetables and use them in your cooking!
Karaoke Contest
A karaoke contest is sure to liven up your Mother’s Day recreation.
When you host one, it’s a good idea to prepare equipment to play music and a monitor so the lyrics are easy to see.
Asking in advance what songs people like will help the event run smoothly on the day.
It’s also great to prepare handheld instruments like hand clappers, tambourines, and maracas to amp up the fun during performances.
Be mindful of everyone’s health, and have a wonderful karaoke contest!
Tokyo’s cherry blossom opening is declared based on the blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine.
When you think of spring, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Graduation ceremonies, company entrance ceremonies, the Doll Festival, Golden Week—but isn’t cherry-blossom viewing the number one event? In Japan, where there are fewer parties compared to the West, it’s a precious party occasion.
But how is the official cherry blossom “blooming declaration” decided? In fact, Tokyo’s declaration is based on a specific cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine.
Each prefecture has a designated “standard tree,” and officials judge the bloom status by visually inspecting these trees.
Apparently, if about five or six blossoms open, it’s considered to have bloomed.
Surprisingly few, right?
Chair exercises in April
As the warm weather sets in, many older adults may feel like moving their bodies and becoming more active.
This time, we’re introducing chair exercises themed around April that you can do indoors.
While seated, reach your hands forward as if you’re catching cherry blossom petals.
We’ll also do some brain training that recalls food stalls at cherry blossom festivals, along with exercises to strengthen your muscles.
By doing exercises and brain training related to April, older adults can get a sense of the season.
And because these exercises are done while sitting in a chair, many older adults can take part.
Strawberry Quiz
When it comes to fruits that evoke spring, strawberries come to mind.
These days you can find them in supermarkets even in winter, but strawberries are originally in season in spring.
Because they’re sweet and often used in desserts, some older adults may be fond of them as well.
A quiz about strawberries—an iconic spring fruit that’s familiar to older adults—would likely get everyone excited.
Through the quiz, you’ll also have the chance to learn surprising facts about strawberries.
It can be a fun way for older adults to discover things they didn’t know about strawberries.
Enjoy a delightful time with a strawberry quiz!
Strawberry Picking Game
The bright red fruit, strawberries, are one of the foods that evoke the feeling of spring, and strawberry picking is also an event that brings a sense of the season.
This game is inspired by the scene of strawberry picking, where players compete to collect as many strawberry mascots as possible within a time limit.
A string is stretched out in front of you, and clothespins attached to it hold strawberry motifs.
You remove them and place them into a basket.
It’s a game that values the pinching motion used to remove the strawberries from the clothespins, as well as the speed and concentration needed to aim for a higher count within the time limit.
