Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
Hand-based activities are a fun and effective way for older adults to stimulate the brain.
Even simple hand games can stimulate the brain by moving the fingertips, helping to maintain or improve cognitive function.
In addition, doing them to music or together with others naturally brings more smiles and increases opportunities for communication.
In this article, we introduce hand games that are easy for seniors to enjoy without strain and also work as brain training.
Incorporate easy activities into your routine to maintain your health while having fun!
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[For Seniors] Lively Hand Games That Also Train the Brain (141–150)
folding umbrella
A folding umbrella is something everyone knows, yet it’s surprisingly rare to actually see one up close.
With its smooth feel combined with hints of metal and plastic, you may find yourself wondering, “What is this?” Because most people don’t often touch it in its folded state, those who weren’t office workers in their younger days might struggle to come up with the answer.
If no one knows, the host can ask the group questions like, “Have you ever used one?” or “When did you use it?” to involve everyone and make it more enjoyable.
wet mop
It’s a collection of soft, thin strands, and it’s wet.
If you were to touch it without seeing it, some of you might imagine it’s something alive.
If it’s a well-used mop, when you touch it and smell it, you might wonder, “What’s that smell?” and feel even more unsure about what it is.
If you happen to move the mop while gingerly touching it, you might let out a scream and run away.
Since it’s a cleaning tool that’s widely used, it’s also recommended because it’s easy to prepare.
battery
Batteries, which are used to power various tools, come in different shapes depending on the type of tool, right? This is about whether you can accurately identify those many types of batteries by touch alone.
The difficulty will likely vary a lot depending on whether you choose commonly seen batteries as the theme or pick ones that are rarely used.
It might also work to arrange various kinds of batteries inside a box so that the broad answer of “a battery” can be reached.
The large number of types serves both as a hint and as a source of confusion.
[For Seniors] Engaging Hand Games That Also Train the Brain (151–160)
Beanbag Tower
Many older adults may have played with beanbags when they were young.
Some may have also played beanbag games with their own children or grandchildren.
Here’s a game that uses those beanbags to build a tower.
The rules are simple: compete to see how many beanbags you can stack on top of an upside-down paper cup.
By holding and stacking the beanbags, you can expect to improve or maintain fine motor balance and concentration.
You can focus and play on your own, or make it a team competition for extra excitement.
If you like, please give it a try.
Brain training with rock-paper-scissors
It’s a game where you create patterns that switch between rock, scissors, and paper hand shapes, then go through those different patterns in order.
The key is thinking about what shape comes next.
Having players say the shapes out loud while making them is also important; thinking, moving the hands, and speaking at the same time helps activate the brain.
Start at a slow tempo at first, then gradually increase the speed to make it more challenging.
It might be easier if you write the sequence on a board in words so players can refer to it while figuring out the shapes.
Gift-stuffing game
This is a game where players compete to see how many presents they can stuff into their own bag within a time limit, taking them from a table.
When pushing the presents in, they should use force while still being careful not to tear the bag—encouraging awareness of strength control.
To keep players from focusing only on the simple act of stuffing, it’s recommended to make the presents colorful so the visuals are enjoyable too.
If you randomize the sizes and shapes of the presents, you can also add an element of judgment in choosing which ones to put in the bag.
Treasure Hunt Game
It’s a game where you search for a ball hidden inside a cardboard box filled with crumpled newspaper, pushing the paper aside as you go.
By focusing on the sensation of touching the ball and grabbing it, you train not only your vision but also your hand coordination and concentration.
Since you need to thoroughly explore the entire box to find the ball, it’s also a good opportunity to move your arms actively.
If you increase the variety of “treasures,” players may pay more attention to what their hands are touching.