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Lovely senior life

[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!

[Elderly Day Service] Let’s Have Fun Together! Games and Recreational Activities (51–60)

Stick Catch

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Stick Catch

We all want to stay healthy and live long, don’t we? Try using a newspaper-stick catch game as a way to help prevent the need for care.

Divide older adults into pairs and have them sit facing each other in chairs.

One person throws a stick made from rolled-up newspaper with one hand to their partner, who catches it with one hand as well.

In the actions of throwing and catching, it’s important to see how well the pair can synchronize with each other! Why not try this recreation activity, which lets you enjoy communication while addressing lack of exercise and working on care prevention?

Beanbag Catch

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Beanbag Catch

Let’s have fun with a beanbag-catching game.

Toss beanbags to older adults seated in chairs, and have them catch the beanbags using a container.

Everyday items like a colander, bowl, or sushi tub work just fine.

It’s enjoyable with both large and small groups.

A team competition to see who can catch the most beanbags is also recommended.

The lively atmosphere will likely encourage interaction among participants, and it’s a refreshing activity for everyone.

Beanbag Catch Relay

Beanbag Catch with a Bucket [Senior Recreation]
Beanbag Catch Relay

Using beanbags and a bucket, here’s a beanbag catch relay.

Have older adults sit in a row on chairs.

Give the person at one end a bucket, and have each person catch the beanbag that comes their way using the bucket.

After catching the beanbag, pass the bucket to the next person.

Catching the beanbag that flies toward you is said to help train reflexes.

Because participants move their bodies while seated, it provides both brain training and exercise at the same time.

Once everyone gets used to it, try gradually adjusting the speed—like throwing the beanbag faster.

It really livens things up, and tasks that feel a bit challenging are also said to help activate the brain.

Beanbag Block

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Beanbag Block

Let’s train our legs while having fun with a beanbag game.

Pair up and sit facing each other.

One person throws a beanbag so that it reaches the other person’s feet.

The other person blocks the incoming beanbag with their feet.

Each chair has a designated territory around it, and the person who gets more beanbags into the opponent’s territory wins.

Because you use your feet to block the beanbags, you can train your legs while seated.

Successfully blocking will make older adults feel happy, too.

It also creates opportunities to chat with those around you, which can lead to more social interaction.

[Elderly Day Service] Let’s have fun together! Games and Recreation (61–70)

Otedama Hoi

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Otedama Hoi

Here’s a simple recreation activity using a large bath towel and beanbags.

Two people sit facing each other on chairs and each holds an end of the bath towel.

Place several beanbags in the center of the towel.

Working together, the two people shake the towel to build momentum and toss the beanbags toward a target.

It gets exciting when many beanbags land in the target.

Another key point of this activity is cooperation between the two participants.

Older adults can naturally create opportunities for interaction by calling out to each other and working together.

Through this recreation, it’s likely to bring more smiles to older adults.

Pinball Catcher

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Pinball Catcher

It’s a game where you attach a net to your toes and try to catch rolling ping-pong balls with that net.

Since you have to lift your feet and move them left and right, your legs get a solid workout as the number of balls increases and the sessions get longer.

Another key point is that there are obstacles along the path the balls roll, which change their trajectories and help improve your focus as you read their movement.

Using a table with some height makes it harder because the balls’ trajectories change more upon falling, so that setup is also recommended.

Tossing beanbags toward the swaying basket

[Elderly Recreation] Throw beanbags aiming at a swinging basket #dayservice #recreation #rehabilitation
Tossing beanbags toward the swaying basket

Here’s a fun game using beanbags.

You throw beanbags into a hanging basket—much like the ball-toss game often played at school sports days.

Many older adults are familiar with this type of game, so it should be easy to get into.

Like the traditional ball toss, the rules are simple, but this version gets progressively more difficult.

The more beanbags you throw, the more the hanging basket swings, making it harder to land your throws.

You’ll also need to watch the basket and time your throws, so it engages the brain as well.

When the basket fills up with beanbags, older participants are likely to feel a real sense of accomplishment.