![[For Seniors] Exciting! A Collection of Game Ideas Using Uchiwa (Japanese Hand Fans)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/zAKp2q7psJo/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Seniors] Exciting! A Collection of Game Ideas Using Uchiwa (Japanese Hand Fans)
Uchiwa fans are an essential item for easing the summer heat.
They’re especially familiar to older adults who have used them for many years.
These days, air conditioners and electric fans are common, so we might use uchiwa less often, but if one is nearby, you can’t help wanting to use it.
Uchiwa don’t just provide a cool breeze—they can also be used to play fun games with a few simple ideas.
This time, we’ll introduce some easy games that use uchiwa.
Besides uchiwa, these ideas use everyday items like balloons, newspaper, and plastic bottles, so if you’re a care worker looking for summer recreation ideas, please use this as a reference.
[For Seniors] Exciting! A Collection of Game Ideas Using Uchiwa Fans (1–10)
Fan-Flick Flying Game
The Uchiwa Fly-Away Game is easy to join because the rules are simple.
You just fan a bag in front of you with a paper fan and see how far you can make it fly—simple as that.
Since it only involves moving your hands and arms, it’s great even for people who aren’t confident in their physical strength.
To add a bit of fun, just draw a face on the bag and you’re sure to get some laughs! Competing together also helps deepen communication.
Plus, since uchiwa fans evoke a summery feel, this game is perfect for summer events.
Paper Cup Sumo
There’s a game called paper sumo, where you play with paper wrestlers.
Some older adults may have played it at least once.
Using paper cups and a fan, you can try a different version.
Divide the tabletop in half to set territories, and place paper cups as the wrestlers.
The wrestlers move using the force of air when you flap the fan.
Since it’s sumo, if a wrestler falls off the tabletop ring, they lose.
Flapping the fan back and forth will surely liven up the recreation.
It’s a game where you can almost hear the chant, “Nokotta, nokotta!”
Uchiwa catching
Uchiwa fans are a hallmark of summer, aren’t they? Just seeing one makes a lot of people feel the season.
This time, we’re introducing a fun game that uses this versatile item.
“Uchiwa-tori” is like a tablecloth-pull trick, but with an uchiwa.
Place a plastic bottle on the fan and pull it out without knocking the bottle over! It’s best to adjust the amount of water in the bottle to a moderate level.
If there’s too little water, the difficulty goes up—so be careful! Since you move your hands, it also seems like it could give your brain a nice bit of stimulation.
Bottle knocking game
All you need is a plastic bottle and a uchiwa fan to enjoy this simple game: Plastic Bottle Knockdown.
First, thread a rubber band or string through the fan and secure it so you can quickly retrieve it after throwing.
It’s a seated game, making it easy to tailor to older adults’ physical and mental conditions.
Since the bottles are empty, they’re easy to knock over, so anyone can have fun.
Compete to see who can knock down the most bottles, and consider preparing a prize for the top scorer.
Let’s enjoy it together!
Flappy butterfly
A very springlike and adorable game, “Fluttering Butterflies.” You use a fan to waft butterfly shapes made from paper as light as confetti and try to get them into a ring.
It’s sure to be fun as a team competition or a solo challenge.
It’s a good arm workout, and you’ll definitely need to adjust your angles, too!
Passing balloons with handheld fans
Team competitions are exciting precisely because everyone participates, win or lose.
So this time, we’re introducing “Balloon Pass,” a game perfect for large groups.
All you need is a single balloon—just that.
Have each team sit in a single horizontal row of chairs.
At the starting signal, the person on the end passes the balloon to the next person, and the first team to get it to the last person wins.
There are many variations: pass with a fan instead of by hand, increase the number of balloons and compete on how many you can pass, or have the last person pop the balloon.
It’s a game anyone can enjoy in a variety of ways.
Clothespin scooping
Let’s try a goldfish-scooping style game you see at fairs, using a fan (uchiwa) and clothespins.
Place clothespins on a table, prepare a paper cup or basket, and use the fan to scoop and drop the clothespins into the container.
It looks simple, but it seems to take some skill to scoop the clothespins with a fan.
Since you use your hands, it can also serve as a bit of training.
You can focus and play alone, or play head-to-head with two people and compete for the fastest time to scoop up all the clothespins.