[Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
At day service centers, many older adults likely look forward to enjoying recreation and games.
Staff members are probably trying different ideas every day to provide activities that never get boring.
In this article, we’ve picked out recreational activities that can be enjoyed by small and large groups alike.
Taking part in competitive games can also create opportunities for deeper interaction among older adults.
We’ve gathered a wide range—from sports- and exercise-themed activities to those that challenge thinking skills—so please use them as a reference!
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoyment at Day Care: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Recommended! Seasonal Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
[Elderly Day Service] Let’s Have Fun Together! Games and Recreational Activities (81–90)
Enjoy Sports! Pictogram Cards
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.
Super Ball Relay
Introducing the Super Ball Relay, a game that can be enjoyed by small groups to large gatherings.
All you need are paper cups and super balls.
Participants sit in a circle or around a table, each holding a paper cup.
Place a super ball in the first person’s cup, then pass the ball to the next person using the cups.
The goal is to pass it all the way to the last person.
Predicting the ball’s movement and tilting the cup accordingly, as well as figuring out how to receive the super ball, provides great stimulation for the brain.
You can also vary the fun by racing for speed or increasing the number of super balls.
Passing a ball using towels
Let’s do a lively recreation activity using towels and a ball.
First, have the older adults sit facing each other, each holding a towel with a ball placed on top.
Since the ball rolls easily, adjusting balance is important.
Coordinate your movements with your partner and smoothly pass the ball onto the towel of the person next to you.
The suspense will keep everyone on edge—in the best way—so it’s sure to be a hit.
Because it’s a cooperative game where everyone works together to keep the ball moving, it will also help deepen relationships among the older participants.
Towel ball toss
With the simple rules of “Towel Tamaire,” where you toss towels into a tub or bucket, even those who feel uneasy about recreational activities will be willing to give it a try.
Share tips as you go, such as “It flies farther if you roll it up,” or “It’s easier to throw from underneath.” Whether throwing while standing or seated, or adjusting the distance to the tub, observe the older adults’ conditions and choose methods that allow everyone present to enjoy the activity.
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.
Team battles included! Let’s search for the letters together.
There’s also a word-hunting game everyone can work on together.
The idea is to search the facility for slips of paper with words on them and then rearrange them to form several new words.
That way, it’s exercise for the body as well as the mind.
It could get exciting as a solo challenge or a team competition.
In team mode, it can also be a good opportunity for participants to bond with each other.
If you have enough space, definitely give it a try.
By the way, aiming for around five words to create seems like a good balance—not too few and not too many.
[Elderly Day Service] Let’s Have Fun Together! Games and Recreational Activities (91–100)
Tennis Ball Catch
Playing catch with a tennis ball is especially recommended for older adults, as it helps train explosiveness and dynamic visual acuity.
Paying attention to the force and speed so your partner can catch it, as well as the sense of distance between you, benefits both body and mind, making it perfect for daily recreation.
When you’re not yet used to it, the ball may not go exactly where you intend, but since the ball itself is soft, there’s little risk of injury, which is reassuring.
It’s a game that lets you train while having fun as a recreational activity and also serves as a form of communication.
