[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
December is a busy month at the end of the year.
It’s also a season when the cold is more noticeable and people tend to have fewer opportunities to go outside.
With that in mind, here are some physical activities and crafts for older adults that can be enjoyed indoors where it’s warm.
These are December-themed recreations, so they allow participants to see, feel, and enjoy the season while experiencing a sense of seasonal atmosphere.
They also provide various mental and physical stimulation—moving the body, using the fingers, thinking, and creating opportunities to interact with friends.
Please make good use of these recreations.
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Fun Quiz Questions That Will Liven Up December
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- For seniors: Decorate the December wall with a tree. Easy ideas using origami and yarn.
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
- For seniors: Introducing handmade decoration ideas to welcome a wonderful Christmas
- [For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended for December
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Introducing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts About December
[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreational Activities (61–70)
handbell
Handbells are a popular choice for entertainment and performances.
Their beautiful tones enhance the atmosphere and are perfect for Christmas.
It’s a recreation that people of all ages can enjoy.
So how about having everyone, including older adults, perform Christmas songs together? Since you can produce lovely sounds just by shaking them, it’s an easy activity to try.
two-person robe (Nininbaori): a comedic act where two people share one kimono-like garment, with the rear person acting as the arms for the front person
“Ninin-baori,” a game played in pairs.
Two people wear one garment together; the person in front shows their face, while the person in back reaches their hands through the sleeves to eat food or put on makeup.
Since the person in back can’t see what they’re doing, nothing goes smoothly—but that’s exactly what makes it so funny and exciting.
Challenging kanji related to winter
Let’s enjoy using our brains with a winter kanji quiz while feeling the season.
When difficult kanji appear, your heart starts to race, doesn’t it? But if you take your time to think, you’ll surely find the answers.
Recalling the readings and meanings of kanji is great training for the brain, too.
When everyone thinks together, you might make unexpected discoveries.
It’s wonderful how kanji can bring back winter memories.
How about spending some time activating your mind while having fun?
Winter picture letter
Winter-themed picture postcards are a perfect recreational activity for seniors.
Let’s paint winter scenes like snowy landscapes and Christmas imagery.
It stimulates imagination and enriches creativity.
It also activates fine motor movements, which can help maintain dexterity.
Expressing the winter season through art can refresh the mind as well.
Through picture postcards, seniors’ memory and concentration may also improve.
It would be wonderful if they can recall the winter atmosphere while feeling enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction.
Picture postcards are likely to warm seniors’ hearts, too.
Cold-weather prevention exercises
As the cold intensifies in December, how about trying some indoor exercises to keep warm? Lifting and lowering your toes helps improve circulation in your ankles and calves, preventing coldness.
Moving your body also boosts your metabolism, warming you up from the inside out.
The movements are simple, so older adults can do them without strain.
Precisely because this season feels especially chilly, let’s enjoy exercising to maintain our health.
You can build a body that won’t be defeated by the cold.
Everyone, please enjoy some warm moments through these exercises.
Christmas exercises you can do while sitting in a chair
Here is an introduction to Christmas exercises you can do while sitting in a chair.
Move your arms and legs to Christmas songs.
Because you move your body while singing, you can enjoy the workout.
Since it can be done while seated, it’s easy for older adults to join in.
Many older adults have probably heard or sung Christmas songs at least once, right? Exercises set to familiar songs seem easier to get into.
Some of the choreography also matches the imagery of the lyrics, making it easier to remember and to move your body.
It’s fine to start once you’ve gotten used to it, so try exercising while singing.
Last Christmas
This is an exercise set to the classic song “Last Christmas,” which you hear everywhere during the holiday season.
While seated in a chair, focus on step-like leg movements to thoroughly strengthen your lower body.
Matching the gentle rhythm helps you pay attention to the size of each movement—another key point.
Once you’re comfortable with the lower-body moves, start adding upper-body actions, such as swinging your arms in time with the stepping.
You’ll feel the joy of the music throughout your whole body, and it will also help you develop smooth, coordinated walking.
