[For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy

Straw Brain-Training Puzzle

[Super Easy] Brain-Training Puzzle Using Straws

This is a puzzle game where you move a 3D-connected shape made of straws to see what forms you can create.

You cut six straws in half and connect them with string.

First, arrange three squares in a row and extend one side at the top and bottom.

Next, fold those extended sides back and connect them to the square on the opposite side to complete the whole puzzle.

Because the puzzle is connected in three dimensions, you can form not only flat shapes but also solids like cubes—so try moving it freely and play around.

To expand the range of movement, it’s also recommended to use elastic rubber cord instead of string.

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kappamaki

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Enjoy Sports! Pictogram Cards

Pictogram Card No. 016 [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

These are cards that use pictograms, familiar from labels of Olympic events.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell which event it is from the pictogram alone.

Let’s have players infer the event by looking at the pictogram’s silhouette.

On the back of each pictogram, include the event name and a clear illustration so players can check the correct answer.

You could also arrange the pictograms in the order of a program listing the event names, among other rules—there are many ways to enjoy these cards.

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kappamaki

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Slide puzzle

[Brain Training] Fun for Kids and Adults! How to Make a Sliding 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.

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kappamaki

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Tower game

I tried the paper cup tower game 🤣

Here’s an idea for a tower game that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Stack paper cups to build a tower, and once it’s complete, place a ball on top.

You can challenge yourself to see how fast you can do it, or compete against another person for extra fun.

In this kind of tower game, it’s common for the tower to collapse if you rush.

Try to proceed with a bit of tension, wondering, “Will I knock it down?” That way, when you manage to do it quickly, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

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yamamoto

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Ping-pong

Aim! Paper Cup Ping-Pong [A Party Game That Pops with 100-Yen Store Supplies]

Here’s an easy game you can enjoy with just two items.

It’s a tabletop game using paper cups and ping-pong balls.

Try bouncing the ping-pong ball into the paper cups or tossing it in without a bounce.

The cups have scores written on them in advance, so you can compete for points.

By trying several rounds and adding up the scores, you can also expect some brain-training benefits.

Since ping-pong balls are light, they don’t require much strength and pose little risk of injury if dropped, making this especially recommended for older adults.

Throwing the ping-pong ball also works as an arm exercise, so it’s a fun way to get some training while playing.

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Nakajima Junko

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Make it for recreation! Paper cup crane

[Easy Craft] How to Make a Paper Cup “Claw Machine”

Let’s try making a paper-cup version of the ever-popular crane game from arcades.

The crane game market has been growing year by year, and it’s said that more than half of total sales at amusement facilities come from crane games.

Now, once you’ve prepared two paper cups, use one to make the crane body and the other to create the arm.

It nicely recreates that unreliable, hard-to-grab feeling of the arm.

The real machines move up, down, left, and right with control buttons, but for this crane, you’ll have to operate even the opening and closing of the arm by hand.

Easy to make! Ping-pong Ball Bingo

[Simple! Elderly care recreation] Fun! Ping-pong Ball Bingo Game!!

Bingo is usually something you enjoy on paper, but how about trying a more game-like version? Ping-Pong Ball Bingo is a tabletop bingo game using an egg carton and ping-pong balls.

To make the base, simply prepare four empty egg cartons, open them up, and staple the four together—done! To play, place the egg cartons in the middle of the table and bounce ping-pong balls on the table so they land in the cartons.

If you line up three or more balls of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, you win.

Split into teams by ball color and face off!

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utatane

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