Enjoyable at day care! Tabletop games and recreation
When organizing recreation at a day service, the activities are affected by the weather and temperature.
On sunny days, it’s ideal to enjoy recreational activities outdoors while getting some sun, but on rainy days, indoor activities become the main focus.
This time, we’ll introduce table games that can be enjoyed right on the table.
Since they’re played on a tabletop, they can be enjoyed while seated and are designed with safety in mind—another recommended point.
We’re introducing options ranging from team competitions to games that can be enjoyed individually, so please use this as a reference.
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Fun Even Without Sight! Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- Recreation Activities for Use in Day Services
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Your Day Service! Fun Beanbag Toss Activity
Fun at Day Service! Tabletop Games and Recreational Activities (11–20)
Clothespin scooping
Let’s have fun with a game using everyday items like clothespins and fans! “Clothespin Scoop” is, as the name suggests, a simple game where you use a handheld fan to scoop up clothespins and place them into a basket.
The key is to use only one hand.
It’s great for improving seniors’ concentration and arm strength, and for helping prevent cognitive decline.
Another plus is that it can be played seated at a table, so it’s easy to do regardless of a senior’s condition.
You can also make it more exciting by adding a time limit or playing in teams!
Wobbly Ball Tower
Here’s an idea for a simple yet thrilling table game using a ball and loops of packing tape: “Wobbly Ball Tower.” The rules are simple.
On a table, stack a loop of tape and a ball alternately, and compete to see how high you can build the tower.
It’s trickier to balance than it looks, and even a slight hand tremor can be fatal.
Even when it topples, it brings laughter, applause, and cheers.
There are various ways to enjoy it, such as taking turns stacking in a group, and it’s also great for hand dexterity rehab and training balance.
Easy to set up and clean up, it’s a perfect table game for group activities in facilities.
Flappy Paper Cup Sumo Game
Many people probably feel nostalgic about games related to sumo, like Tonton Sumo.
Here’s one to try: the Flappy Paper Cup Sumo Game.
First, set up a table and draw a line down the middle to make a ring.
Place a paper cup in the center, then have two players fan from left and right using uchiwa fans.
The rule is simple: if the paper cup falls off on your opponent’s side, you lose.
Sometimes the cup may fall off the side of the table—when that happens, reset and rematch.
It would likely be exciting to run it as a tournament, too!
Brain training with gojūon (Japanese syllabary) cards
As we age, it seems we may sometimes forget words.
So let’s use a set of kana cards to stimulate the brain.
First, arrange the cards in order starting from the A-row together with the older adult.
The act of arranging itself is said to help activate the brain.
Use the cards to form words—the more letters a word has, the higher the points.
Additionally, once a card has been used to make a word, it cannot be used again.
Treat voiced and semi-voiced marks (dakuten and handakuten) as a single card and make them count for points as well.
If someone can’t think of a word, it’s helpful for those around to offer hints like, “Let’s think of a word that starts with A.”
Proverb Matching Game
There are many proverbs in Japan, right? For example, “Even a dog will run into a stick” and “Birds of a feather flock together.” Let me introduce a card game based on such proverbs.
Prepare several proverbs split into two cards each.
Place the split proverb cards on the table, and match two cards to complete each proverb.
Recalling proverbs helps stimulate the brain.
It also seems likely to deepen interaction as people call out to each other and cooperate.
In addition, proverbs are familiar to many older adults, so this game may be easy for them to engage with.
Shiritori Card Game
Haven’t many older adults played shiritori at least once? Here’s a familiar shiritori-style card game for seniors.
Prepare cards with each of the 50 Japanese syllables written on them, and deal five cards to each player.
Place the remaining cards in the center and draw one card to start.
Think of a word that begins with the syllable of the drawn card, so that the last letter of your chosen word matches one of the cards in your hand.
Adding a rule like “use three-letter words” makes it even more fun and can help stimulate the brain.
The first person to use up all their cards wins.
Let’s all enjoy thinking of words together while we play.
Have Fun at Day Service! Tabletop Games and Recreational Activities (21–30)
Table baseball
Let us introduce “Table Baseball,” a fun activity using a light ball and a box as a bat.
It’s an exciting seated game for older adults, played with a scoring sheet laid out on the table that includes zones like third base, second base, and a home run area.
Players hit back a gently rolled pitch and compete based on the points where the ball stops.
When someone aims well and hits a home run, the cheers feel just like a real baseball game! It helps with dexterity and concentration, and it’s a great way for everyone to get engaged together.
Make it a team game and set a batting order to add strategy and cheering for an even better gameplay experience.
It’s easy to set up and a popular table sport for day services and facility recreation.