[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 (41–50)
Aim with the towel
In pairs sitting facing each other, each person holds one end of a towel.
Place a ball on the taut towel, coordinate your movements to toss the ball, and aim to land it in a target box.
Set up several boxes and assign different point values depending on which box the ball lands in.
Decide on a fixed number of throws, and determine the winner by the total score.
Fly swatter game
This is a game where you use a real fly swatter handle to smack paper flies made from origami and compete to see how many you can catch within the time limit.
The fly swatter and the origami flies have adhesive tape on them so they stick together.
It gets even more exciting if you include high-scoring flies or flies that deduct points!
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)
Fukuwarai is a classic New Year’s game that everyone can enjoy, from small children to the elderly.
While blindfolded, you place facial parts—the eyes, nose, and mouth—onto a face.
Traditional designs feature Otafuku and Hyottoko, but these days there are many varieties, including characters and animals, so it’s fun to switch them up with the season.
Uchiwa Balloon Relay
This is a relay-style game where players move while keeping a balloon bouncing with a handheld fan (uchiwa), go to a target point, and come back.
Competing in teams helps build strong focus on the balloon and good movement speed.
If you skillfully incorporate a forward flick with the fan, you can gain speed, but quick forward movement is also required, so good judgment is key.
If keeping the balloon bouncing while moving is too hard, another recommended rule is to keep the balloon resting on the fan as you go.
By alternating your gaze between the balloon in your hand and the direction of travel, you can also sharpen your visual focus.
Tug of war
Let’s try “tug-of-war,” a classic sports day event! That said, a regular tug-of-war can be quite demanding.
In this version, you play while seated in chairs, so it’s safe and there’s no risk of falling.
Use your upper body strength to the fullest, coordinate your chants, and work together as a team!
Handmade watermelon-splitting
Watermelon is a classic summer food.
Many older adults may remember cutting a big watermelon and sharing it with everyone.
Some might also recall doing suikawari, the traditional watermelon-smashing game, on summer days.
Let’s enjoy an easy version of this summer-themed game.
Prepare a watermelon that has been cut in half in advance and place it on a table.
Blindfold the older adult and have them try to hit the watermelon with a stick.
If they manage to hit it, the watermelon splits in two.
It’s a playful way to relive childhood and fully enjoy the summer pastime of suikawari.
Foo Foo Ping Pong
Place a set number of ping-pong balls on the table.
At the start signal, blow on them with a steady “hoo-hoo” to guide the balls into the goal.
Because they’re light, they’ll glide farther than you expect and may even fall off the table.
Work together so they don’t drop, and aim for the goal!