[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! Lively, Movement-Based Games (21–30)
Towel Putting Game
Place three hula hoops on the floor a short distance away and toss a tightly rolled towel toward them—this is the “Towel Toss Game.” The points vary depending on which spot you land in.
Of course, outside the circles is out, and the total score determines the winner.
If you don’t have hula hoops, you can make circles with tape instead.
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!
[For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Active Games (31–40)
Balloon Tennis
How about trying “balloon tennis,” using a uchiwa fan as a racket and a balloon as the ball? You can even pretend the table is the court.
Don’t just hit the balloon back to your opponent—get creative by fanning the balloon with the uchiwa to play defense, too.
It’s sure to turn into an exciting, heated game!
Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors
It’s sure to be an exciting match! Try the Newspaper Janken challenge! Have two older adults sit facing each other.
Place a long, narrow strip of newspaper on the table, then play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner tries to grab the newspaper, while the loser must hold it down so it can’t be taken.
By the way, if the newspaper tears, you lose.
It’s a brain-engaging activity where you play janken, instantly recognize the outcome, and act immediately.
Recreations that use both mind and body stimulate the brain and can help prevent dementia.
Enjoy a fun time laughing together with other participants.
Balloon Flap-Flap Game
Gather around a table with a single balloon placed in the center.
Each person holds a fan and flutters it to keep the balloon up.
This is the “Balloon Flutter Game,” where you see how long you can keep the balloon floating above the table.
Fan carefully so it doesn’t go flying off the table from too much force!
Flag-raising game
This is a game where you move red and white flags in your hands up and down according to given instructions.
Your ability to listen carefully and then move—distinguishing between commands like “raise” vs.
“don’t raise” and “lower” vs.
“don’t lower”—is put to the test.
Once you get used to it, it’s recommended to gradually increase the speed of the instructions.
By requiring quicker decisions, you can further stimulate the brain.
To help players focus on listening and moving, it’s also a good idea to make the flags easier to hold—for example, by forming them into rings.
balloon volleyball
How about trying a game of “balloon volleyball” together? Swap the volleyball for a balloon and attack it while staying seated! Balloons can move in unpredictable, quirky ways, so it’s sure to be exciting.
Plus, it’s nice that it won’t hurt even if it hits your hands or head.