[For Seniors] Easy to try. Fun, crowd-pleasing recreation
For those who use senior care facilities or day services, lively recreational activities are important, aren’t they?
In this article, we introduce activities that everyone can try together as well as ones individuals can enjoy on their own.
All of them are exciting and easy to try once you learn the simple rules.
Even games that might look difficult at first—like rock-paper-scissors relays or ball bowling—can be done while seated, so no worries.
We hope you’ll all give them a try so that recreation can help invigorate the minds and bodies of older adults.
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Exciting! Ball-Based Recreation
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoyment at Day Care: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Introducing Recreational Activities Anyone Can Enjoy at Geriatric Health Facilities!
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
[For Seniors] Easy to Try: Lively Recreations (41–50)
Parachute Game
Let me introduce a simple parachute game that’s easy to prepare.
Get some clothespins, a bag, and a target, and let’s have fun.
Clip a clothespin to the bottom of the bag to make a weight—your parachute is ready.
Throw the parachute toward the target.
The target has point values written on it, and you’ll add up your points.
The person with the highest score at the end wins.
It’s a parachute game everyone can enjoy together, so give it a try! It’s also a great way to spark conversation.
[For Seniors] Easy to Try. Lively Recreations (51–60)
Turtle scooping
Here’s a turtle scooping activity that also helps practice finger and wrist movements.
Prepare turtles made from construction paper, protected with lamination, and attach a plastic bottle cap to the back of each one.
Using a ladle to scoop the turtles is recommended.
Try scooping the turtles placed inside a box.
The bottle cap on the back makes them a bit unstable, which is part of the fun.
If using a ladle is too difficult, feel free to scoop with your hands—be flexible so everyone can enjoy it.
It might get lively, just like goldfish scooping at a festival.
clothespin tree
Let me introduce the Clothespin Tree.
Gather some beanbags and secure them to a pair of chopsticks, then clip clothespins onto the chopsticks in alternating positions.
If the structure topples or the chopsticks break when adding a clothespin, you lose.
The action of opening and closing clothespins also stimulates the brain.
For gameplay, preparing clothespins in various colors is recommended—you’ll end up with a colorful tree that’s visually enjoyable.
It’s a fun activity using familiar materials, and once your Clothespin Tree is complete, displaying it as a decoration can also spark conversation.
Paper Cup Curling
Let me introduce Paper Cup Curling.
Prepare some paper cups, marbles, and a sheet with point values, and let’s get started.
Attach the scoring sheet lengthwise to the table.
The key is to place the higher-point areas a bit farther away.
Participants sit in front of the scoring sheet, put a marble into a paper cup, and slide it forward with momentum.
Choose which score you want to aim for and slide the cup toward that target.
The person with the highest total score wins.
Experiment with how hard to push and how to slide the paper cup—good luck!
Prefecture Bingo
It’s a game like bingo where you keep a sheet with prefecture names in a grid and aim to complete lines.
You can play with pre-made sheets, but having participants write the prefectures themselves could make it more fun as they recall them.
Which prefectures come up is a matter of luck, but predicting what might appear next can make it even more exciting.
Because it’s simple, there’s plenty of room to customize—for example, you can have people share memories related to each prefecture.
Miyakumiyaku exercises with a towel
Improve your circulation! Here are some exercise ideas using a towel inspired by Myaku-Myaku.
Do you know the character Myaku-Myaku? It’s the official mascot created as the symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Its distinctive shape and vivid red and blue colors are quite striking.
This time, playing on the name “Myaku-Myaku,” let’s try some exercises to get your blood flowing “myaku-myaku” (steadily).
All you need to prepare are two face towels.
Longer ones are preferable.
Towel Sumo Game
Recommended for events and recreational activities! Here’s an idea for a towel sumo game.
It’s great if you can train your legs and lower back while having fun at events and rec time.
This time, let’s try a sumo game using towels! You’ll need chairs and two face towels.
Sit facing each other on chairs.
Tuck one end of the towel under your opponent’s foot, and hold the other end in your hand.
Coordinating the two actions—bracing with your legs and pulling the towel with your hand—can be a bit challenging, but it makes for an exciting activity!