[For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
As we get older, we tend to have fewer opportunities to be physically active.
Even in senior facilities like day services, people may end up sitting for long periods during activities like crafts.
Why not try incorporating some lively, movement-based games?
Of course, it’s fine to stay seated!
Even without strenuous movements, simply rolling your arms or marching your feet a little can loosen the body and make for good exercise.
Please be sure not to overdo it—have fun while keeping an eye on how you feel!
There are plenty of games that get everyone moving and energized.
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- Recommended Indoor Exercises for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] A Fun Sports Day! Recreational Activities You Can Do Safely
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Recommended Dances You Can Move To and Enjoy
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
[For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Fun, Active Games to Get Everyone Moving (171–180)
Balloon Relay
Here’s a fun balloon relay that’s great for sports days and other events.
Place an inflated balloon on top of a baton and run a relay.
While holding the baton with the balloon on it, walk carefully so you don’t drop the balloon and pass the baton to the next person.
The balloon wobbles lightly on top of the baton, so even though it looks easy, it’s actually a tricky game.
It’s even more fun if you split into several teams.
Because you’ll be calling out to and helping each other, it can spark communication.
Even if the balloon falls, don’t panic—just keep at it and enjoy!
Escape from the Balloon Tower
Seasonal events are very important for older adults.
Among them, the spring and autumn sports days are great opportunities to show what they can do.
This is especially recommended for seniors who enjoy physical activity.
The game we’re introducing, Escape from the Balloon Tower, involves building a tower with zip ties, placing balloons inside, and fanning them out of the tower using uchiwa (hand fans).
Four teams compete.
Because players fan with full effort, it’s a good way to strengthen the hands and arms.
You time the attempts, and the team with the fastest time wins—making it a very exciting game.
Uchiwa Fan Item-Passing Game
This is the “Uchiwa Item-Passing Game,” where each person holds a fan (uchiwa), places an item on it, and passes it to the next person.
Anything that can sit on the fan is OK! From tiny objects to items that are just barely the size of the fan, skillfully pass them along to your neighbor and keep dropping them into the goal basket!
String-wrapping game
The “String-Winding Game” lets you use your hands and play while seated.
Attach a string to a box, and fix a stick or similar object to the other end.
Turn the stick to wind the string, pulling the box toward you as you reel it in.
The person who pulls it in fastest wins.
You can also make it more exciting by placing toilet paper cores or similar items on a tray instead of using a box, and pulling them in without knocking them over.
Object Delivery Game
Everyone holds a long string together and passes cylindrical objects—like toilet paper cores—onto it from one end, sending them along to the other end.
Once you’ve sent everything you have, run it back in reverse and send them the other way.
It sounds like it would be even more exciting with a mix of items, such as paper towel cores, that differ in length and shape.
[For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Active Games (181–190)
Balloon Volleyball Relay
It’s a game where you gently tap the balloon upward to pass it to the next person, linking passes all the way to the goal basket.
Passing sideways can be difficult, so it may be easier to place a helper in front and have players tap the balloon toward them.
If you chase balloons that fly off to the side, it might put strain on the body, so it’s also a good idea to attach a string to the balloon so you can easily bring it back into view.
Encourage players to focus on gauging the right amount of force to connect to the next person and on judging how to capture the balloon in each situation.
Toe rock-paper-scissors
Let’s strengthen the often-overlooked muscles of your toes by playing rock-paper-scissors with your feet.
Being able to move your toes smoothly can help prevent falls, increase walking speed, and promote circulation.
Since forming the shapes using only your feet right away can be demanding, start by thoroughly loosening your feet with your hands before trying toe movements.
It’s important to stretch and loosen each toe carefully and to use your hands to assist as you learn the correct way to move them.
Begin by forming the shapes slowly, and gradually increase the speed at which you make them.