[For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
Many seniors who use day services likely look forward to the recreational activities.
Care workers think up fun, exciting activities every day to bring joy to the seniors.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of recreation ideas that are sure to energize your day service! From head-to-head games and group exercises to activities that let participants feel like they’re traveling—or even trying their luck at a casino!?—it’s packed with surprising ideas.
Be sure to read to the end.
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- [For Seniors] Highlights of Fun Events at Day-Service Centers
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [Evolving Daycare Services] A summary of engaging recreational initiatives that excite older adults
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
- [For Seniors] What's in the Box? A Collection of Exciting Content Ideas
- [For Seniors] A Fun Sports Day! Recreational Activities You Can Do Safely
[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas (11–20)
Golf game
Here’s an introduction to a simple and fun paper-cup “golf” game.
Lay paper cups labeled with point values on their sides on the floor, and roll ping-pong balls to try to get them into the cups.
The winner is decided by how many ping-pong balls land in the cups.
Calculating the points for the ping-pong balls also provides a brain workout.
Since this golf game can be played while seated, it’s suitable for older adults who have difficulty standing.
Adjusting the force to roll the balls also helps with arm rehabilitation.
Some older adults may have enjoyed golf in the past, and this paper-cup golf can evoke those memories, too.
Shooting game
This is a game inspired by the shooting booths you see at festivals and amusement parks.
Players hold ping-pong balls taken from a basket and try to knock down lined-up figurines and paper cups.
It can also be a lively event where participants compete to see how many items they can topple within a time limit.
It’s a good idea to prepare various types of balls—not only ping-pong balls, but also beanbags and rubber balls.
It’s a game you can enjoy while seated, just by moving your arms.
Why not try organizing an activity that brings a touch of nostalgia?
farm work
Being able to continue the work and tasks one has been doing creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
One example is “farm work.” It’s not specialized, machine-based work, but simple, light tasks such as weeding and sowing seeds.
For older adults, the acts of “making something” and “having what they make bring joy to someone” can be very effective.
In addition, moving the fingers and body is said to improve circulation and stimulate brain activity, so it is considered beneficial for preventing and improving dementia.
Online rickshaw
Rickshaws are a familiar sight in tourist spots like Asakusa, but many people may wonder what on earth an online rickshaw is.
In fact, this “online rickshaw” is a service that has been drawing attention from the industry as a uniquely Reiwa-era idea.
It was conceived by Shohei Miura, who originally worked as a rickshaw puller in Asakusa and came up with the idea when he returned to the profession during COVID.
The concept is to attach a camera to a rickshaw and let people enjoy a simulated Asakusa sightseeing experience over the internet.
It quickly became a hot topic and even led to TV appearances.
Since many day-service users feel that it’s hard to go sightseeing in these times, why not try using the “online rickshaw” service?
Bread making
Having facility staff and users work together to try cooking is also recommended as an activity for events.
As a theme for what to make, let’s introduce bread-making this time.
You might think making bread sounds difficult, but depending on the method, it’s actually possible to make it in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
Have the care staff supervise the tricky steps, and everyone give fun bread-making a try!
Karaoke Contest
Back when today’s elderly people were in their youth, karaoke boxes like the ones we have now probably didn’t exist.
If you wanted to sing together, you relied on so-called singing cafés or the “8-track” karaoke machines in snack bars.
Some people may never have sung in front of others at all.
A small, private karaoke contest would let everyone enjoy singing without worrying about those around them.
If you’re shy about singing solo, you could form a group and sing children’s songs, for example.
Raising your voice is said to be good for your health, so it’s truly a win-win idea.
A few small prizes would make it even more fun.
[For Seniors] Have Fun at Day Service: A Collection of Interesting Event Ideas (21–30)
Tuna carving show
Have you ever seen a “tuna butchering show,” where a tuna is expertly broken down right before your eyes at a fish market and the like? Watching the fish being skillfully dismantled while hearing explanations about the tuna is entertaining and definitely worth seeing.
In fact, did you know there are traveling services that bring this tuna butchering show to you? If you prepare what’s needed and make a booking, you can enjoy a tuna butchering show without having to make a special trip to the morning market—surprising, isn’t it? Of course, the prepared fish is served as sushi and sashimi, so it’s sure to be a hit with day-service attendees as well.