For Seniors: Fun and Engaging December Event and Recreation Ideas
December is a time filled with lively events and festivities like Christmas and New Year’s.
Care facilities and day service centers are likely planning events and recreational activities to match the season, too.
In this article, we introduce recommended December events and recreational activities for older adults.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, focusing on themes related to December.
Many of these activities can also be enjoyed in other months, but they include seasonal touches that make them especially delightful now.
We hope these events and activities help older adults expand their social connections.
Please make use of this article during the busy year-end season.
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
- Entertainment ideas for year-end parties that seniors will enjoy
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations for December: Ideas Collection
- [Care Facilities] Popular Christmas Decorations: Handmade Ideas to Brighten Up Indoor Spaces
- [For Seniors] Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas That Feel Warm and Heartfelt
- Recreation Activities to Liven Up January Events for Seniors
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
- [Christmas & New Year] Craft Ideas for Day Services in December
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
[For Seniors] Lively and Fun! December Event and Recreation Ideas (11–20)
Christmas game
Let’s make sure they thoroughly enjoy the process from the creation stage by incorporating motifs like Santa Claus and Christmas trees into the games.
Making each item used in the games one by one helps not only with fine motor skills and concentration, but also with understanding the rules.
Encourage them to stay aware of body movement through the game content as well, such as a game where you throw cookies at Santa or reindeer targets, or a game where you attach ornaments to a tree while keeping balance in mind.
It’s also recommended to pay attention to the small decorations to give everything a festive, glamorous look so they can really soak in the Christmas atmosphere.
Santa Claus
Let’s make Santa Claus, an iconic Christmas motif, using origami.
Draw lines on red origami paper and cut it out, then roll it into a pointed cone to form the base.
Attach parts like the face, beard, and hat trim to it.
Use rhinestones for the facial features, stickers for the buttons on the outfit, and finish by adding a pom-pom to the tip of the triangle.
It’s also recommended to make mascots like a reindeer or snowman using the same base and display them together to enhance the Christmas atmosphere.
Present Balance Game
This is a game that lets you enjoy the challenge of balance with a Christmas tree motif.
You stack toilet paper rolls—slit and spread open—and paper plates alternately to resemble a tree, then place present boxes on it without letting it topple.
By using a paper plate for the base of the tree as well, intentionally creating a wobbly structure, players naturally focus on balance when placing the boxes.
Pay attention to decorating the tree and presents, too, so players can feel the Christmas atmosphere while concentrating on their hand movements.
Christmas wreath made with pipe cleaners
This is a cute, small Christmas wreath made by forming a circle with softly coiled pipe cleaners.
Since the goal is to create a tiny finished piece, it naturally draws attention to fine finger movements and focus on handwork.
Make parts of uniform length by wrapping a pipe cleaner around a pencil, then thread those parts onto a single pipe cleaner that serves as the wreath base.
It’s important to pay attention to the length of each part and carefully shape everything into a neat circle.
Because the base is a small wreath, it’s recommended to use small decorations like stickers or beads.
Christmas tree wall decoration made with origami
Let’s decorate your walls with a must-have Christmas item—a tree—to build excitement for the season.
The key is to layer pieces cut from three sheets of origami paper to clearly convey the tree’s three-dimensional feel.
Fold the origami into a triangular screen shape, trim the edges, and attach the pieces while keeping the stepped layers in mind.
Adding wooden pieces and ornaments helps make it unmistakably a Christmas tree.
You can use a single tree as a decorative accent, or line several up to create a large tree—there are many ways to use this idea.
Matching game
Illustrations with winter and Christmas themes are drawn on the grid of drawing paper and on the bottoms of paper cups.
It’s a game where you race to see how quickly you can line up the paper cups to match the illustrations on the grid.
The key is to stack the cups so you can’t see which illustration will come next, training quick reflexes to identify and place the right cup instantly.
By trying repeatedly, players may not only improve their reflexes but also become more mindful of smooth hand movements.
It’s fine to simply enjoy the game with the prepared materials, but if you start from the illustration-drawing stage, you can savor even more of the Christmas atmosphere—highly recommended!
[For Seniors] Exciting! December Event and Recreation Ideas (21–30)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Chair Dance
Let’s get everyone moving and feeling the festive spirit with a dance set to the classic Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Being able to do it while seated with minimal strain is an important point so that everyone present can enjoy it.
Incorporate choreography that follows the lyrics, while also including solid strengthening movements like arm stretches.
Wearing festive items—such as Santa hats—can help participants feel the Christmas atmosphere even more.