Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training

Rhythmic exercises with carp streamers

Song exercise you can do while seated: 'Children’s Song – Koinobori (Iraka no Nami)'. Rhythm exercises for seniors and older adults. #seniors #exercise #rhythmicExercise

Do you know the “ikarano-nami” that appears in the children’s song Koinobori? One theory says that ikarano-nami refers to the wave-like pattern formed by the ridge tiles at the peak of a tiled roof.

When you listen to Koinobori, you can imagine the carp streamers swimming as the waves of clouds and the ikarano-nami overlap.

These days, it seems we don’t sing or hear the version of Koinobori that mentions ikarano-nami as often.

Some older people may find Koinobori nostalgic.

If you do exercises themed around carp streamers, you might be able to feel the season while you move.

Try moving your body to the song’s expansive tune and melody.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Wobbly Beanbag Game

Wobbly Beanbag Game! Train Your Concentration [Senior Recreation]

Create it by arranging everyday materials! Here are ideas for a wobbly beanbag game.

What you’ll use: beanbags, a plastic tray, and an empty plastic wrap core.

The great thing is you don’t need to buy special materials, so it’s easy to try! To set up, stand the wrap core upright on a table and place the plastic tray with the beanbags on top.

That’s it! Participants then take turns removing beanbags from the tray.

The unstable wrap core wobbles, adding a thrilling challenge!

Fan Beanbag Relay

Ojami Relay #Recreation #DayServiceRecreation #DayService

Let me introduce a fan-and-beanbag relay that everyone can enjoy.

Have participants sit in chairs in a single row, and use handheld fans to pass along a beanbag.

Because it’s done while seated, even people who find it difficult to stand or move their bodies can likely take part.

Since both the fan and the beanbag are light, it doesn’t require much strength.

And with fans and beanbags, there’s less risk of injury if something is dropped.

Through the relay, people will call out to one another and work together as a team.

It might even spark new interactions.

You can also make it more exciting by forming two lines and holding a head-to-head relay competition.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Ojami Wobble Game

Ojami Wobble Game #dayservice #recreation #Nichinan #Miyazaki #teamwork #dayservicerecreation #rec

Many older adults have probably played otedama (beanbag juggling) before, right? Some may have even skillfully used their hands and fingers to juggle two or three beanbags in the air.

Let’s play a fun game that uses familiar otedama to work the fingertips.

Place a paper plate on top of a short piece of a cut plastic wrap or foil core.

Then, place the beanbags on the paper plate one by one.

Since the paper plate is unstable, it wobbles each time you add a beanbag, creating a thrilling, heart-pounding effect.

It seems like older adults can enjoy a bit of tension while engaging in the game.

By the way, “ojami” is what otedama is called in the Kansai region.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

A simple activity using ohajiki (small traditional Japanese game pieces)

[Elderly Recreation] A Big Hit!? Simple Recreation Using Ohajiki (Marbles) [Traditional Games, Reminiscence Therapy, Day Service Activities, Preventive Care]

Some older adults may have played ohajiki when they were young or with their children.

Here are some simple recreational activities you can do with ohajiki.

Beyond lining them up on a table or floor and flicking one with your finger to hit another, there are many ways to play.

For example, you can play a curling-like game by flicking ohajiki onto a sheet with a circle and point values, or stack the pieces upward.

With a bit of creativity, it seems there are plenty of ways to enjoy ohajiki.

In addition to using your fingertips, these games can help improve concentration and promote communication.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

A puzzle where you fit counters (ohajiki) into a frame

[Solo, non-crowded recreation] Supervised by a Recreation Care Worker! Simple indoor handmade game video for seniors: “A puzzle game where you fit marbles (ohajiki) into frames drawn in a notebook.”

Group recreation where everyone gets lively together is fun, but taking time to think carefully and enjoy things at your own pace is important too.

This time, we’re introducing a finger dexterity puzzle using ohajiki (small glass game pieces).

Preparation is very simple: get some paper and ohajiki.

Draw circles on the paper about the same size as the ohajiki, and place the pieces around them.

Using your index finger, try to push the ohajiki into the circles.

You can change how it feels a lot by drawing circles slightly larger or smaller than the ohajiki and making a rule that they only count if they fit exactly, or by trying fingers other than the index finger.

Because it also engages spatial awareness, it serves as brain training.

It’s also recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

beanbags

The kind you often see on variety shows #shorts

Beanbags used in various games can feel subtly different depending on the fabric and the filling.

How about testing whether you can accurately identify them under such varying conditions? Because it’s something we casually use, you might find yourself picturing it but unable to recall its name.

It’s also fun to mix beanbags of different weights and textures on purpose, so the differences in feel make people hesitate over their answers.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem