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] Exciting! December Event and Recreation Ideas (21–30)
Setsubun Newspaper Bean-Throwing Game
February, when the cold is at its peak.
Why not try a seasonal newspaper bean-throwing game? This is a recreation activity tailored for Setsubun.
First, hand out newspapers, tear them into pieces, and crumple them into “beans.” The beans can be any size—large or small.
This process also serves as a finger and hand exercise.
Next, set up a box with an oni (demon) face on it and have participants throw the beans into it.
You can make it a point-based game by competing to see who gets the most beans in the box, which is sure to liven things up.
Or, everyone can work together to fill the box with beans.
New Year’s shimenawa wreath
Let’s make a festive shimenawa, an essential New Year’s decoration, using easy-to-find materials.
Crumple up some newspaper, twist it into a coil, and shape it into a circle to use as the base.
Wrap the base with crepe paper and glue it in place, then attach lucky-looking parts you’ve made separately—such as a fan and camellia flowers—to finish.
Because the steps are simple, it’s a craft that lets you come up with your own design, from the colors you choose to the decorations you include.
For Seniors: Exciting! December Event and Recreation Ideas (31–40)
Create this year’s Kanji of the Year as a collage
The activity of creating a collage for the kanji of the year is a wonderful idea.
Cut out your favorite characters from magazines and newspapers and paste them onto a backing sheet.
It’s also a great idea to decorate around the character with photos of seasonal flowers or landscapes.
By choosing a character you like and decorating it as you wish, you’ll end up with a uniquely personal piece.
Through making collages, older adults can stimulate their creativity and enjoy a pleasant time.
Sharing everyone’s works will spark conversation and create a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Christmas cake in a frying pan
Let’s make a festive cake—an essential for Christmas events—using simple, accessible ingredients.
We’ll use pancakes as the base and follow an easy process of topping them with sliced fruit and cream.
Since the mixing step requires smooth hand movements, if that’s difficult, participants can join from the decorating stage.
As the cake stacks higher and becomes more colorful, everyone can enjoy the excitement, while also focusing on creativity to make it look even more beautiful.
a big kagami mochi
When it comes to New Year’s kagami mochi, the bigger and more luxurious it is, the luckier it seems, right? Here’s a giant kagami mochi that focuses on size, using bedding.
Use a low table like a chabudai as the base, shape a futon like a rice ball, cover it with a sheet, and tie it to form the kagami mochi shape.
Then place the mandarin part on top, made from items like a bath towel, a plastic bag, and an orange shopping bag, and it’s complete.
Its sheer size makes a strong impact on its own, but if that feels lacking, it could be fun to think about additional decorations around it.
Making next year’s calendar
Creating next year’s calendar will make for wonderful memories.
Making a torn-paper collage calendar using colored paper or magazine clippings is a perfect, enjoyable activity for older adults.
Another appeal is that you can choose your favorite materials and create any design you like.
Using your hands helps boost concentration.
Enjoy making your pieces with free ideas—seasonal landscapes, memorable places, anything you like.
When you see the finished calendar, you’ll surely feel a great sense of accomplishment.
It’s also fun to make them together with everyone.
It’s certain to become a lovely memory-making activity.
Simple New Year’s decoration
Let’s try making a three-dimensional Daruma ornament using a milk carton and a toilet paper roll core.
Cut the milk carton into long, thin strips, roll them into a frame, and wrap tissue paper around it while keeping a rounded shape.
Attach the face and decorative parts, and your Daruma is complete.
Next, place the Daruma on a base made from a cut toilet paper core or a platform covered with origami paper.
There’s lots of room for customization—such as the color of the tissue paper and how you draw the expression—so aim for a cute, auspicious design and create your own unique Daruma.