[For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy
Games and recreational activities are essential in senior facilities like day-care centers.
In this article, we introduce handmade games you can enjoy.
Some are made using recycled materials like milk cartons and newspapers, while others use items you can get at 100-yen shops, such as paper cups and disposable chopsticks.
All of them involve thinking, competing, and playing, so they serve as brain training—and best of all, they foster communication.
In team competitions, everyone might get fired up, focus on the game, and end up in a frenzy!
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[For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy (71–80)
Slide puzzle
This is a puzzle game where you use the empty squares to move adjacent pieces and aim to match colors.
It’s important to think through the sequence of moves that will bring you closer to the desired arrangement.
Another appealing aspect is how easy it is to prepare: use a piece of cardboard with drawn grid lines as the frame, and bottle caps with stickers as the pieces.
If there are too few piece types or grid squares, you might complete it just by moving randomly; in that case, try a version with more squares.
We recommend starting with the rule of lining up each color in a row, then progressing to a more challenging pattern where you arrange numbers in order.
Thinking about colors and shapes: Arrow Puzzle
This is a puzzle game where you try to restore the pieces to the original 3×3 grid by matching the colors and directions of the arrows drawn on them.
Draw arrows that extend across adjacent squares, and color the arrows so that each square contains all four colors.
After that, cut out each square to complete the puzzle; it’s a good idea to write numbers on the back so you can tell the correct arrangement.
If restoring the exact original form is difficult, you might start by focusing only on connecting the arrows and arranging as much as you can from there.
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.
Hishimochi Puzzle
@e6u42 Hishimochi Puzzle ★★ A game where two red and two white players stack colored boxes to match the sample. It serves as brain training. Materials: 36 empty milk soap boxes, origami paper in three colors, and paper cups with 2 male dolls and 2 female dolls attached.#Asahikawa#Asahikawatranslation#WelfareCaregiverCaregivingElderlyNurse#KohakuHome-visit nursingHelper RecruitmentCaregiver recruitmentTarget practice#ElderlyRecreationRecreation for the elderlybeanbags#activities#kindergartan#preschoolactivities#elderycare#older#nursinghome#movement#activating#happykid#etkinlik#kidsactivies#homeschool#preschoolactivities
♪ Happy Doll Festival – Yumi Baba / Wakakusa Children’s Choir
I want to play at the Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) event! Here’s an idea for a hishi-mochi puzzle.
It’s a unique puzzle where you combine pieces while looking at a sample.
You’ll need 36 empty boxes, origami paper, paper cups, and illustrations of Hina dolls.
The three colors are the key point of the hishi-mochi puzzle, but if you change the colors, it could be used for other events too.
It’s important to prepare empty boxes that are the same shape and size.
Definitely give it a try!
A jigsaw puzzle on a cup noodle lid
Exciting! Here’s an idea for a jigsaw puzzle using instant cup noodle lids.
The designs on cup noodles vary a lot from product to product, right? This is a DIY puzzle that lets you enjoy those differences.
You’ll need seven cup noodle lids, scissors, a ruler, a pen, and so on.
To make it, simply divide each lid into four pieces.
It’s simple, but when you try playing, it’s surprisingly challenging and can take time to complete.
Laminating the pieces is also a nice touch.
[For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy
PET bottle cap puzzle
[For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy (71–80)
Origami Tetris
Three-dimensional and fun! Here’s an idea for origami Tetris.
Many of you have probably played Tetris on a computer or game console, right? This time, let’s make tetrominoes—just like they jumped out of the game world—using origami.
All you need is origami paper and scissors or a craft knife.
You’ll divide a 15 cm square sheet into four parts to make them, so this is a perfect idea for those who are good with detailed work.
Let’s make some tetrominoes and play!