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

Stacking beanbags

Recreation for seniors – easy, exciting, and doable with one hand! Beanbag stacking

This is a game where you toss beanbags and try to land them on a target without dropping them.

Because it uses light items like beanbags, people with hemiplegia can also participate.

Have older adults sit in chairs some distance away from the target.

Aim for the target and throw the beanbags.

You can use an empty bucket or a trash can turned upside down as the target.

Each person throws three beanbags, and the one who lands the most beanbags on the target wins.

The rules are simple, but it should be exciting.

As everyone gets used to the game, try making the target smaller.

It increases the difficulty, but it’s still fun.

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Nakajima Junko

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Beanbag Bingo

Recreation for seniors: simple brain training, exciting, can be done one-handed! Beanbag Bingo

Here’s a bingo-style game using beanbags that you can enjoy with one hand.

Prepare a sheet of paper with a 5-by-5 grid.

Take turns with your opponent placing one beanbag on a single square.

The first person to line up four beanbags in a row—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—wins.

Beanbags are light, so there’s little risk of injury if they fall, which is a plus.

While aiming to make your own line of four, you’ll also try to block your opponent.

It’s a game that encourages focused thinking and may help stimulate the brain.

Try playing while seated in chairs with older adults, and have fun getting lively together.

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Nakajima Junko

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bamboo shoot digging

Recreation for seniors: Easy one-handed activity! Bamboo shoot digging

Let’s liven things up with a game themed around one of spring’s seasonal flavors: bamboo shoots.

Some seniors may have even gone out to dig bamboo shoots in a bamboo grove.

In this game, you win if you can catch the bamboo shoot—made from a paper cup—faster than your opponent.

Real bamboo shoot digging takes strength and can be tough, but with this game, where both the “tool” and the bamboo shoot are paper cups, seniors with hemiplegia can enjoy it easily.

Through the game, some seniors might recall times when they dug bamboo shoots or ate them.

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Nakajima Junko

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Stacking paper cups

Recreation for seniors: one-handed, improves finger strength, and useful in daily life—stacking paper cups.

Here’s a cup-stacking game that boosts finger strength and concentration.

Get some paper cups and clothespins ready and have fun.

Use the clothespins to stack the paper cups.

Whoever stacks five cups before their opponent wins.

The key is the grip strength you use to open and close the clothespins while stacking.

Once you get used to it, try setting a time limit or playing in teams for an extra challenge.

It’s a game you can enjoy over and over, so give it a try!

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mayumi

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A balance game using toilet paper rolls

Balance game #shorts

Introducing a thrilling and laughter-filled recreation activity for seniors: the Toilet Paper Roll Balance Game.

First, randomly place toilet paper cores on a table and stack thick paper or cardboard on top to build a tower.

That’s when the real challenge begins! Take turns gently removing one roll at a time without toppling the rest.

Much like Jenga, it helps train fingertip control, decision-making, and concentration.

The rules are simple: whoever causes the collapse loses, so anyone can jump in right away.

It’s easy to prepare with everyday materials.

This safe, exciting game is perfect for homes and care facilities, letting participants enjoy it comfortably without overexertion.

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kojifumi

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Balance UFO Game

[Cheerful Rec 🏀] Balance UFO Game #Recreation

We’d like to introduce an indoor activity for seniors—the “Balance UFO Game,” which lets anyone enjoy a little excitement.

First, make a hole in the center of a paper plate, thread a string through it, and hang it from above.

The key is that the paper plate dangles and gently sways, like a floating UFO.

Participants take turns placing small, cross-section slices of a pool cue (or similar stick) onto the plate one by one.

If you don’t pay attention to the center of gravity, the plate will tilt and pieces will fall, so the game develops concentration and fine motor skills.

It also adds a strategic element as players consider where to place each piece, and the group can cheer each other on, making it fun for everyone.

The materials are easy to find, so preparation is simple.

By adjusting the hanging height and the weight of the items, it can be enjoyed by a wide range of players from beginners to advanced.

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kojifumi

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Turtle scooping

Having fun again today! Turtle scooping~ 😂 #dayservice #senioractivities #minigame #shorts #fun #recreation

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.

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mayumi

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