Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Recreations to Experience in August

Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

At day service centers and other senior facilities, staff are always thinking up recreational activities that elderly participants will enjoy.

We recommend seasonal activities that help stimulate both mind and body.

In this article, we’ll introduce recreational ideas that are perfect for August!

Speaking of August, Japan is full of unique seasonal events like festivals and Obon!

We’ve gathered many activities inspired by the classic sights and sounds of summer.

There are also refreshing ideas you can only experience during the summer, so please use them as a reference.

[For Seniors] Recreational Activities to Experience in August (41–50)

Shooting game

Best bang for your buck! A shooting-gallery game and recreation that will absolutely excite everyone from kids to seniors — how to make the setup and how to play

Shooting game

When it comes to must-have summer events, many people think of festival stalls, and among the classic games there, shooting galleries come to mind.

How about making your own shooting game to try, sharpening your focus on the targets while soaking up the summer atmosphere? The ammo is made by attaching a rubber band to a toilet paper roll core, and you launch it from a plastic wrap core to knock down the targets.

Be mindful of the targets’ size and weight, and enjoy the strategy of choosing which ones to aim for.

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[For Seniors] Recreational Activities to Experience in August (51–60)

[Whiteboard Brain Training] Let’s complete the summer kanji

Summer brain-training game ideas for seniors that avoid crowding. Using a whiteboard, turn “insect” into “firefly.”

[Whiteboard Brain Training] Let's complete the summer kanji

This quiz involves writing only parts of kanji related to summer on a whiteboard and having participants fill in the missing components.

Even with kanji we see all the time, once a piece is removed, it’s easy to struggle to recall what the rest looks like.

For example, if the answer is the kanji for “firefly” (蛍), you would first write only the lower “insect” (虫) component and then ask older adults to write the top part.

We recommend not only using single-character summer symbols, but also phrases with two or more kanji—remove one part from each character and present them that way.

Searching for the missing parts activates the brain, so give it a try!

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Obon decorations: origami Chinese lantern (hozuki)

[Origami] How to fold a Chinese lantern plant (Hozuki) for Obon decorations ☆ Easy summer flower origami

Obon decorations: origami Chinese lantern (hozuki)

Hozuki (Chinese lantern plants) serve as lanterns to guide our ancestors home during Obon.

Many seniors may display them at home while thinking of their forebears.

Let’s make hozuki out of origami and decorate the wall.

Prepare orange origami paper and fold it into a plump, balloon-like 3D shape to create a fruit that looks just like the real thing.

Then make a stem with green-toned origami paper and combine them to finish! It’s also recommended as a brain-training activity—invite seniors to make them together.

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shaved ice

Shaved ice craft: easy way to make it [for preschool teachers’ wall displays]

shaved ice

When the summer heat sets in, nothing hits the spot quite like shaved ice.

Its vividly colored syrups make it a great choice for summer wall decorations, too! You can create the ice portion, the bowl, spoon, and fruits by cutting construction paper.

For the syrup, you can paint directly with watercolors, or make a stamp using a piece of kitchen paper and a chopstick to dab on the color and achieve a soft, airy look.

If you’re decorating a wall, arranging items like an ice shaver and little flags alongside the shaved ice can help create the fun atmosphere of a shaved-ice stand.

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Shaved ice making

Warakuen: the full-fledged summer has arrived — shaved ice is delicious.

Shaved ice making

Making shaved ice is perfect for a hot and humid summer.

First, prepare a shaved ice machine and a few kinds of syrup.

Then let everyone enjoy watching the ice being shaved.

Next, pick a favorite syrup and pour it on—this part is exciting and fun, too.

After that, it’s finally time to dig in.

You can savor the delicious taste or get carried away reminiscing about summer memories! Adding some toppings can make it even more fun.

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barbecue

[Care Facility] We tried having a BBQ!

barbecue

The charcoal crackles, the meat sizzles, and the aroma is irresistible! How about hosting a barbecue using an open space at your facility? It’s the perfect recreation for the milder seasons.

Since you’ll be using fire, be sure to prioritize safety—have water on hand, for example.

It’s also a good idea to set up a sunshade tarp to prevent heatstroke.

Along with vegetables and meat, we recommend grilling rice balls and marshmallows too!

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magic hand grab

Let's have fun with a grabber and paper cups! It's brain activation time!

magic hand grab

Here’s a “magic hand grab” activity that you can arrange in many different ways.

In this version, you use a grabber tool to collect paper cups lined up on a table.

Because it engages both the head and the hands, it can help stimulate the brain.

Another key point is that you can enjoy this activity in connection with the seasons.

For example, in spring you could draw cherry blossoms on the cups, and in summer you could draw seashells.

Doing so can make it easier to regain a sense of time.

There seem to be many possible variations.

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