[Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
Are you looking for recreation ideas to make the Christmas party at a senior facility even more fun and lively? In this article, you’ll find loads of ideas you can enjoy together with older adults—from simple ball games to exercises set to Christmas songs, as well as crafts and snack activities.
We’ve gathered ideas that are easy to prepare and safe to try.
Please take a look and use these Christmas recreation ideas to create a heartwarming time filled with smiles across generations!
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[Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for the Christmas party: crafts, rhythm exercises, games, and even a snack activity (21–30)
Christmas Rhythm Gymnastics
This is an exercise where you keep rhythm with plastic-bottle maracas to classic Christmas songs.
Because it’s done seated, focus on making large arm movements and really shake the maracas.
By paying attention not only to your arm movements but also to proper posture, you can engage your whole body.
While the motions center on the upper body, such as how you swing your arms, it’s also recommended to add some foot tapping to work the lower body.
The sound of the maracas highlights the fun and can boost motivation to do the exercise.
Present toss
“Present Toss” is played just like a beanbag toss.
The only difference is that instead of throwing beanbags, you throw small gift boxes, and instead of a basket, you use a big stocking! You can decide the winner by counting the number of throws, just like in a beanbag toss, or make it more fun by putting “win” and “lose” items inside the gifts: winners get a prize, while losers get a card with a funny question or line written on it.
If a team gets a “lose” card, have them read it out loud!
Santa Claus Fukuwarai
This is a game where you play the traditional fukuwarai using a Santa Claus face on a large sheet of paper.
Draw Santa’s outline across the entire sheet, then prepare parts like the eyes, nose, and mouth.
You can hand-draw them, print them from a computer, or even repurpose everyday items to resemble facial features.
In fukuwarai, you’re blindfolded, so even though everyone starts with the same face, the results vary depending on who’s placing the parts—each face ends up with its own charm.
By swapping the parts around, you can create countless expressions.
It’s sure to bring smiles to your festive Christmas time.
Christmas wreath making
Among Christmas decorations, making a Christmas wreath is the most classic and easiest, isn’t it? With its colorful ornaments, you can enjoy creating your piece while nurturing your imagination.
And the charm is not only in making it—the finished wreath is also delightful to look at.
Plenty of supplies are sold at 100-yen shops and craft stores, so pick your favorite materials and give it a try! Why not work on it freely and cheerfully while enjoying conversation with those around you?
Showa Quiz
The Showa Quiz is a quiz that looks back on the past with photos, and it’s especially enjoyable for those born in the Showa era.
For seniors, it’s likely to bring back a strong sense of nostalgia.
Even things that now feel like distant memories can suddenly come flooding back with a little quiz like this.
You might even remember things you had forgotten.
And if you take part in a group, it may spark lively conversations like, “That’s how it was back then,” as old stories blossom.
Fun for kids and adults! Balloon Battle
Here’s a game called “Balloon Battle” that uses long balloons and round balloons.
Prepare one long balloon for each participant.
After inflating the balloons, each participant holds a long balloon, and at the start signal, they pass the round balloon to the opponent.
The rule is that you can’t use your hands—you must pass using the long balloon.
Balloons are light, and if you misjudge your strength, they’ll drift away.
If you drop the balloon, you lose, so be careful when passing.
The game is basically played by two people, but it could also be fun as a team relay.
What’s inside the box?
It’s the game where you stick your hand into a box without knowing what’s inside and try to guess the item by feeling it and getting hints—“What’s in the Box?” It’s a great game to play for fun anytime, but if you put in Christmas-themed items like a tree or a Santa figurine, it’s perfect for a Christmas party, too! It takes some courage to touch something when you don’t know what it is, and that thrill is part of the fun.
It’s a game that both the participants and those watching can enjoy together.