[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.
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[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreational Activities (21–30)
Bagging Game
Bagging vegetables at the supermarket is fun, isn’t it? Let’s turn that bagging into a game.
Prepare lots of plastic bottle caps and pack them into a bag.
Set a time limit and fill the bag as much as possible within that time.
Weigh the bags and have older adults compete to see who packed the most.
foot bath
As December arrives, the winter chill really starts to set in, and the desire to warm up grows stronger, doesn’t it? A great health practice that helps you get through the cold—and is perfect for relaxation—is a foot bath.
It’s simple: just soak your feet in warm water.
Warming your feet improves circulation and helps warm your entire body.
You can enjoy it in various ways, like taking your time while chatting, or adding bath salts to enjoy the fragrance—there are plenty of versatile options.
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 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.
Guessing game by handshake
It’s a game where older adults shake hands with each other and try to guess whose hand they’re holding.
First, you put on a blindfold and shake hands with several people.
Then, among them, try to identify Person A’s hand.
When you think you’ve found Person A, don’t let go and say so.
Take off the blindfold to check.
It’s impressive if you can guess just by the feel of the hand.
It’s a bit challenging, but it’s a game that really gets everyone engaged.
Paper Cup Pulling Game
It’s a reflex-testing game where you hold a string with a paper cup attached and, the instant the music stops, quickly pull the paper cup toward yourself.
There’s someone positioned near the paper cup to hold it down—try to move the cup faster than they can react.
Since you need to transfer the force from the string to the cup to reel it in, how you hold the string and how you pull it are key points.
You might also have fun making it a competitive format where players take turns being the holder and the puller.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This is an exercise with brain-training elements performed to the classic Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Because it’s done while seated in a chair, it puts less strain on the legs and lower back, which is a plus.
Incorporating movements that match the lyrics—like pinching your nose—helps enhance the festive Christmas mood.
By combining different actions for the left and right sides, such as pinching your nose with one hand and your ear with the other, you can get your body moving while also giving your brain a solid workout.