[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
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- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
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- [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 Recreation (161–170)
Baton relay
It’s a relay-style game you can play while seated, passing a baton along in teams.
The players hold a long string that stretches from the starter to the finisher, thread the baton onto the string, and pass it along to the next person.
The finisher removes the baton from the string and places it into the basket in front of them.
Repeat this within the time limit; the team that gets more batons into the basket wins.
Concentration to pass the baton quickly and teamwork—such as holding the string so the next person can easily take the baton—are key.
Because the starter and the finisher move the most, it might be a good idea to rotate positions each round.
mini-golf
It’s a simple game you can play while seated, inspired by golf putting.
Prepare a large target with higher scores toward the center, and have players hit balls toward it.
After a set number of shots, tally the final score.
If you leave the balls where they land, players can even try the technique of knocking their balls into higher-scoring zones by hitting them with subsequent shots, which should make it even more exciting.
It’s a game that trains concentration to visualize exactly where to aim, as well as the delicate touch needed to get the ball there.
[Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities (171–180)
Pinball game
The nostalgic “pinball game” is likely familiar even to older adults.
This recreation is recommended for those looking for something that will interest seniors and, before they know it, have them thoroughly engaged.
Arrange toilet paper rolls on a table to create a pinball playfield.
The launcher takes a bit of ingenuity, but you can make it with everyday items.
Set paper cups along the edge of the table as the final goals for the pinball and write point values on them.
It’s a game that lets you feel the thrill and excitement of not knowing which way the ball will roll!
Chopstick-picking game
The “Chopstick Pulling Game” is a twist on Jenga, the popular party game.
It’s said to help improve daily life for older adults and people with dementia, so why not include it in your day service recreation? Prepare multiple disposable chopsticks, thread them through something like an empty tape core, and build a chopstick tower.
The rules are simple: players take turns removing one chopstick at a time from the tower.
Whoever knocks the tower over loses.
It’s a great game to introduce to older adults who may have decreased interest or motivation!
finger play
This is a simple finger game where you sing a nursery rhyme or similar song and fold your fingers one by one to the rhythm.
Just folding the same fingers on both hands helps strengthen the fingers, and by arranging the finger movements, you can also incorporate brain-training elements.
For example, have them focus on their finger movements by shifting the start timing of the left hand slightly from the right hand.
You’re free to choose any song, but nursery rhymes whose lyrics come to mind without thinking are easier, as they let you concentrate on the finger movements.
Treasure Hunt Game with Paper Cups
The treasure hunt game with paper cups is really exciting.
Everyone searches with anticipation to see which cup the cap is under.
It’s great because people with hemiplegia can enjoy it too, so everyone can get excited together.
It also trains reasoning and concentration, and since you search cooperatively, it deepens interaction among older adults.
It’s nice that you can participate at your own pace.
With support from those around you, you can join in and have fun.
The joy of finding the cap is something special.
It’s wonderful that everyone can celebrate together with a big “We did it!”
A word rearranging game
In daily life, there are times when the right words—like names of people or things, or certain expressions—just don’t come to mind.
To help prevent those situations, how about training your brain by recalling words through quizzes? In this activity, you rearrange randomly ordered hiragana to complete a word.
Let’s build your ability to come up with arrangements and to draw on the vocabulary you already have.
You can also adjust the difficulty by increasing the number of hiragana characters, so it’s important to choose questions while gauging the participants’ creative thinking.