[Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities

Newspaper ball rolling relay

Two-person teamwork, everyone teamwork: 'Newspaper Ball Rolling Relay'

This is a recreation activity where you compete to see how fast you can roll a ball placed on a sheet of newspaper.

It’s suitable for small to large groups, so it’s also recommended for situations where you want to promote interaction among older adults.

Arrange chairs facing each other in alternating rows, and have two people hold the ends of a sheet of newspaper.

Roll the ball you’re given onto the next person’s newspaper, and if it makes it into the basket, that’s a goal.

You can enjoy variety by rolling different types of balls, such as a regular ball, beanbags, or a beach ball.

Give this event a try to experience the fun and sense of unity that comes from doing an activity together.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

Newspaper Ball Rolling Game

If you want a super exciting group game, this is it! Newspaper Ball Rolling Relay

The “Newspaper Ball Rolling Game” uses newspaper sheets to pass balls along! Within each team, members split into pairs; each pair holds the ends of a sheet of newspaper and transfers the ball onto the neighboring pair’s newspaper.

The final pair places the ball into a box, and the team that gets all their balls into the box first wins! Handling thin newspaper is trickier than you might expect.

Even older adults will likely enjoy the challenge, saying things like, “It just won’t do what I want!” The difficulty also changes with the type of ball, so it’s a great idea to prepare various balls of different sizes and weights.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yuri

Report a problem

rod soccer

Super Exciting Stick Soccer [Fujigaoka Service]

“Bō Soccer” is a soccer game played with sticks that you can enjoy while seated.

There’s even a Japan Stick Soccer Association, and it’s loved as a sport that can be enjoyed by older adults and people with disabilities.

Players sit in a single row of chairs facing each other and split into two teams.

There are goals on both sides, so try to score into the opposing team’s goal while defending your own—those positioned in front of your team’s goal should block shots and prevent the other side from scoring.

Like regular soccer, one team can have 11 players, though around 10 players per team is generally easy to play with.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Bridge Dropping Game

[Elderly Recreation] Bridge Dropping Game!

The “Bridge Knockdown Game,” where you throw beanbags to collapse a towel bridge! Drape a towel between two chairs and place weights like water-filled plastic bottles on both ends.

Throw beanbags or balls at the towel, and whoever collapses the towel bridge first wins.

If hits are rare or progress is slow because the beanbags don’t land well, try playing in teams and taking turns.

By cheering each other on and cooperating, older adults can enjoy the game and deepen their connections with one another.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yuri

Report a problem

Sing and pass it around! Ball relay

All you need is a ball! This is fun♪ Sing and pass-the-ball activity!!

Here’s an idea for a rhythm-based ball-passing game.

First, participants sit in a circle.

One person starts with the ball and passes it to the next person in time with the music; that person then passes it to the next, and so on.

When the music stops, the person holding the ball gets to drop out of the game.

You can also adjust the game by adding more balls depending on the number of participants.

Singing along while playing provides brain training benefits, and listening to favorite songs can boost motivation, which adds to the appeal.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

Milk Carton Craft: Rock-Paper-Scissors Bingo

Milk Carton Rock-Paper-Scissors O/X Bingo

In this game, whoever wins rock-paper-scissors places their own marker—made from a milk carton—on a grid, and the first to complete three lines wins.

Because placement depends on the outcome of rock-paper-scissors, you get a different kind of mind game than the usual take-turns format.

Not only is placement strategy important, but figuring out how to win at rock-paper-scissors also becomes a key factor.

If there’s a big skill gap in rock-paper-scissors, it’s a good idea to add handicaps, such as changing the number of lines needed to win.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)

[Day Service] Ball-Toss Battle!

Tamaire, the ball-toss game often seen at school sports festivals.

Some older adults may have taken part in sports days and played tamaire in the past.

Here’s a perfect tamaire activity for a warm April day to get the body moving.

Because it’s a familiar game, it can help older adults refresh their mood and relieve stress.

Have participants sit in chairs and place a basket in the center.

Prepare red, white, and other colored balls, and have the participants throw them into the basket.

The person who gets the most balls in the basket wins.

Throwing with the arms and shoulders also provides upper-body exercise.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem