For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
Even in December, when winter is in full swing, we all want to stay cheerful and energetic while enjoying the season.
That said, it can be a difficult time to go out, so many people are looking for indoor activities.
In this article, we introduce healthy ways to spend December—such as winter-themed music, light exercises to get moving, brain-teasing puzzles, and memorable crafts.
All activities are great for enjoying together with older adults, so we hope you find a favorite way to spend your time.
Let’s enjoy warm, laughter-filled moments indoors.
- [For Seniors] Fun Quiz Questions That Will Liven Up December
- [For Seniors] Introducing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts About December
- [For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
- For Seniors: Enjoy Every Day! A Collection of Senior Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- For Seniors: Fun and Engaging December Event and Recreation Ideas
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Christmas Dance to Classic Songs That Will Get Everyone Excited, Plus Plenty of Seated Exercise Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Exercises You Can Do While Seated
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Get Through the Chilly February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations
- [For Seniors] Recommended! Seasonal Recreational Activities
For Seniors: December Health Topics – Winter Recreational Activities to Warm Body and Mind (11–20)
New Year picture karuta making
December is the year-end season when we get ready for New Year’s.
Let’s make an original karuta game you can play during the holiday.
Decide on the starting letter, then draw illustrations to match it—this process helps build thinking skills.
If you include not only the words but also short stories or episodes related to each motif, you can share memories and make it even more fun.
It’s also great to actually play with the karuta you create: you’ll move your whole body while training concentration and quick reflexes.
Christmas Association Brain Training
Here’s a Christmas-themed brain-training activity! Rearrange Christmas-related words to form the specified word.
Using seasonal words like “tree” or “present” makes it even more fun.
You can adjust the difficulty by word length, so it’s good to start with 3- or 4-letter words and gradually make it harder.
Setting a time limit can turn it into an exciting game.
It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere while stimulating memory and imagination.
Give it a try!
Challenging kanji related to winter
Introducing the “Challenging Winter Kanji” quiz! It’s a game where we present difficult kanji related to the season and you think about their readings and meanings.
Because it really makes you use your brain, it helps stimulate cognitive function.
Thinking about kanji can boost memory and concentration.
And since it’s themed around the season, it’s engaging and fun.
You can enjoy it while seated, so it can be done indoors even in the cold winter.
It’s a wonderful recreation that lets seniors feel the season while activating the brain.
Please try it at day-care centers and nursing facilities as well!
Winter picture letter
Winter-themed picture postcards are a perfect way to enjoy the cold season.
Drawing snowy landscapes or Christmas scenes lets you feel the beauty of the season.
Creating art stimulates your imagination and creativity.
Since you use your hands, it’s also great for maintaining dexterity.
Through picture postcards, you can enhance your memory and concentration as well.
Above all, the joy of drawing and the satisfaction when you finish are exceptional.
It refreshes your mind and leaves you feeling enriched.
Let’s all enjoy making winter picture postcards and spend a heartwarming time together.
Christmas wreath making
In December, when cold days continue, we recommend making Christmas wreaths as a heartwarming indoor activity.
The fun of decorating with colorful ornaments by hand helps develop fine motor skills and improves concentration.
In addition, the joy of admiring the finished wreath and sharing it with others creates opportunities for interaction, which can positively affect mental well-being.
You can get started easily with simple materials from 100-yen shops, so preparation is simple.
Each participating older adult can enjoy the activity at their own pace, and the sense of accomplishment will also support their independence.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Exercise
December means Christmas.
Let’s move our bodies to the classic Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” This is an exercise you can do while sitting in a chair, so it’s recommended for older adults.
In the cold winter months, our bodies tend to hunch up.
By mainly stretching the upper body and moving the arms and legs, you can loosen up your muscles and relieve stress.
Plus, coordinating the movements of your hands and feet engages the brain as well.
Doing it with as many people as possible makes it even more fun.
[For Seniors] December Health Topics: Winter Recreational Activities to Warm Body and Mind (21–30)
20 Winter Multiple-Choice Quiz Questions
Let’s take on a quiz all about winter! It’s packed with questions that let you enjoy the season from many angles—snow, constellations, winter sports, seasonal foods, New Year’s traditions, and more.
As you have fun with the quiz, you’ll deepen your knowledge of all kinds of winter-related facts.
There are also plenty of fun tidbits that can spark lively conversation, so you can enjoy chatting while tackling the quiz with family and friends.
All questions are presented in a three-choice multiple-choice format.
