Recommended for seniors: Fun and engaging Christmas exercises
Christmas is a special event not only for children, but also for older adults.
Many senior care facilities and day service centers likely hold Christmas events every year.
In this article, we’ll introduce exercises that are perfect for seniors and will liven up your Christmas event.
Feel free to use them for recreation at your Christmas gathering.
Doing exercises to Christmas music will make the party even more exciting.
Let’s work together as a staff to create moments filled with smiles for the seniors.
If you’re struggling to plan activities for your Christmas event, please use this as a reference.
- [For Seniors] Christmas Dance to Classic Songs That Will Get Everyone Excited, Plus Plenty of Seated Exercise Ideas
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Recommended Rhythm Play and Exercises
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [Christmas Party at the Nursing Home] Staff Take on the Challenge! Fun Performances Everyone Can Enjoy
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For people in their 90s] Recommended Christmas songs: from nostalgic school songs and hymns to timeless classics
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Recommended Dances You Can Move To and Enjoy
- Recommended simple exercises for recreational activities for the elderly
[Recommended for seniors] Fun Christmas Exercises (1–10)
Last Christmas seated exercises
“Last Christmas” is one of the quintessential Christmas songs of the Showa era.
It was released by Wham!—who were at the height of their popularity—timed for Christmas in 1984.
Many older adults have probably heard it at least once.
Doing exercises set to “Last Christmas” may help some people reminisce about those days.
If it’s a song you know, you can sing along while you exercise.
Thinking of and speaking the lyrics you remember is said to be an effective brain exercise, too.
Since the exercises follow an upbeat melody, it would likely liven up a Christmas event.
Gymnastics to All I Want for Christmas Is You
Let’s try doing some exercises to Mariah Carey’s Christmas song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It’s famous as a classic Christmas tune.
Since it was also used as a TV drama theme song, some older adults may have heard it.
The melody builds along with the excitement of the season.
While listening to the music, try sitting and stretching your arms out to the sides, or lifting your legs.
Although it’s a bit up-tempo, this song matches the festive Christmas mood, so older adults may enjoy participating.
Please give it a try!
Sign language dance to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Many older adults likely spent Christmas with their children or grandchildren.
Some of you may even have memories of singing Christmas-themed nursery rhymes together.
Listening to or singing Christmas songs can fill people with excitement.
So why not try doing some exercises to familiar Christmas nursery songs for seniors? For example, try singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” with sign language.
By incorporating sign language, those who have difficulty hearing or speaking can enjoy it together.
It’s also said that moving your hands while singing helps stimulate the brain.
[Recommended for Seniors] Fun Christmas Exercises (11–20)
Simple hand game
@ui_neoen [Ton ton ton ton ~Christmas ver.🎄~] \Everyone, try it together/ It’s Christmas Day today 🛷🦌 How are you all spending your Christmas…? Let’s enjoy a hand-play song together this Christmas too ✨Knock, knock, knock, knock#ChristmasChristmas EvePresentChristmas presentSimple hand gameBefore reading aloudOriginal ChoreographyNursery rhyme#Fingerplay SongNursery school / KindergartenChoreographySimple hand playTranslation
♬ Original Song – Hand-Play Song Big Sister | Ui 🐹🩵 – Hand-Play Song Big Sister | Ui 🐹🩵
At Christmas events, we want many seniors to have an enjoyable time.
How about incorporating a simple hand game? There are plenty of Christmas-themed hand games.
We also recommend the Christmas version of the well-known hand game “Hige Jiisan,” called “Ton Ton Ton Christmas.” Try making Santa Claus and reindeer poses to match the lyrics.
Hand games help develop fingertip sensation and stimulate brain activity.
Because you consciously move your hands, they efficiently activate the brain and can help prevent dementia.
Through Christmas-themed hand games, participants can also get a feel for the season.
Full-body exercise to Christmas songs
@gymnastics943 I tried dancing in a Christmas-y way#I tired dancing#Health Exercises#Christmas
♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
No matter how old you are, it’s natural to want to enjoy Christmas and stay young at heart by moving your body in a fun way.
For all the seniors who feel that way, we recommend trying a gentle exercise routine set to the ultimate Christmas classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You”! There’s no need for difficult moves—just use your whole body: stretch your arms wide, and take rhythmic steps to the right and left.
First, let’s simply have fun dancing to the lively beat of the festive music!
Santa Claus the Scatterbrain
This is a fun dance set to the song “Awatenbō no Santa Claus,” which comically portrays Santa Claus.
It’s a full-body dance, but since the lower body mainly uses step-like movements to catch the rhythm, it should be easy to do even while seated.
The choreography reproduces the lyrics through arm movements, with the key being to express the comical world through big, expressive gestures.
To convey the joyful spirit of Christmas, I also recommend not only making your movements large but singing along as you move your body.
Christmas shan-shan
This is a dance set to the song “Christmas Shanshan,” which depicts the scene of Santa Claus coming at Christmas.
While bending and stretching your whole body to keep the rhythm, make sure to clearly express the lyrics through your movements.
If you focus on sharp movements and how you apply force, it will likely lead to smoother movement in daily life.
If standing exercises are difficult, perform them seated in a chair; even then, it’s important to keep the rhythm with steps or similar movements.
With rhythm-conscious movement, let’s also pay attention to the rhythm of walking.