[For Seniors] Exciting! Ball-Based Recreation

Easy to make! Ping-pong Ball Bingo

[Simple! Elderly care recreation] Fun! Ping-pong Ball Bingo Game!!

Bingo is usually something you enjoy on paper, but how about trying a more game-like version? Ping-Pong Ball Bingo is a tabletop bingo game using an egg carton and ping-pong balls.

To make the base, simply prepare four empty egg cartons, open them up, and staple the four together—done! To play, place the egg cartons in the middle of the table and bounce ping-pong balls on the table so they land in the cartons.

If you line up three or more balls of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, you win.

Split into teams by ball color and face off!

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utatane

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Core and hip exercises

[Senior Exercise] Core and Hip Joint Workout Using a Ball

Here’s an exercise for the core and hip joints using a ball that can be done while seated.

Older adults can roll an easy-to-handle ball using both hands.

Have the older adult sit in a chair and, using both hands, roll the ball from around the belly area down to the toes.

While slowly rolling the ball forward, gently bend the body forward.

Because it’s a slow-paced activity, it should be easy for older adults to try.

It may also help spark communication with those around them through doing the exercise together.

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Nakajima Junko

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Table baseball

Today's lesson: 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.

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kojifumi

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Fly away, balloon!

Fly away, balloons! (Day-service recreation)

This is a game where you throw a beanbag forcefully at balloons placed inside a frame, aiming to knock the balloons out of the frame.

It helps develop both decision-making about where to aim and the throwing power needed to blow the balloons away.

You can adjust the difficulty by varying the distance from the throwing spot to the frame and the size of the balloons, so tailor the rules to the participants.

It would also be exciting to pack the frame with lots of balloons and let everyone enjoy the satisfying feeling of blowing them away all at once.

For those who struggle to knock the balloons out, encourage them to focus on a throwing style that applies power and to be mindful of their body movement.

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kappamaki

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Rhythmic gymnastics with a ball

Perfect for the coming season! Full-body warming rhythmic exercises using a ball [Senior Exercise]

Let’s use a ball to move the whole body and warm up.

It’s also great as an exercise for the cold season.

Sit on a chair, bounce the ball on your knees, and open your arms while holding the ball.

Let’s also add a brain-training element.

Bounce it on your knees, then raise one hand high holding the ball, and from there, grasp the ball with both hands at chest height.

Some people may find it hard to think and move the ball at the same time, but it’s said that feeling challenged helps activate the brain.

Try to gently push yourself—like making the movements larger or doing more dynamic ball exercises—within a comfortable range.

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Nakajima Junko

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Full-body exercise with ball gymnastics

Full-Body Exercise You Can Do While Seated [Ball Exercise]: Simple and Effective Workout for Seniors! Perfect to play as-is at home, in senior care facilities, or at day service centers!

Here’s an idea that’s great even for those who aren’t very comfortable with calisthenics: a seated routine called “Full-Body Exercise with a Ball.” You don’t need any special equipment—an inexpensive soft ball from a 100-yen shop works just fine.

By pressing with both hands, circling the ball around your body, or moving it side to side, you can activate muscles that are hard to engage in everyday life.

Placing the ball between your thighs helps strengthen the adductor muscles and may also be effective for managing urinary leakage.

It doesn’t take much space and can be done quietly on your own, which is another plus.

It’s a perfect recreational activity for preventive care and everyday health maintenance.

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kojifumi

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ball tapping exercise

[Gymnastics Using a Ball ⑧] Drum-Tapping Exercise – A Workout You Can Do at Home

It’s a unique exercise where you hit a ball like a drum.

Sit on a chair and hold the ball between your thighs.

Then tap the ball while counting “1, 2, 3” up to 10.

Tapping not only exercises your arms and hands, but also helps strengthen the muscles around your thighs.

Plus, doing two things at once—tapping and counting out loud—may help stimulate your brain.

After a few sets of tapping, finish with a rapid flurry of strikes.

Hitting the ball can help relieve stress, and older adults may find themselves enjoying it with smiles on their faces.

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Nakajima Junko

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