[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.
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[For Seniors] Exciting! A Collection of Game Ideas Using Fans (11–20)
Uchiwa Ball Toss
Many facilities probably had everyone make their own uchiwa hand fans in preparation for summer, right? You’re likely quite attached to the fans you made yourselves.
So why not use those fans to play a game? How about enjoying “Uchiwa Balloon Goal,” using uchiwa fans and balloons? Place a container that will serve as the goal on a table at a slightly elevated position, and at the start signal, everyone works together to guide the balloon into the goal! It may seem easy, but the balloon’s unpredictable movements make it surprisingly challenging.
Okonomiyaki Game
This is a simple game using uchiwa (handheld fans) that create a cool breeze in summer.
You’ll need two uchiwa and several round pieces of cardboard with pictures on both sides so you can tell front from back.
Like flipping okonomiyaki, use a fan in each hand to flip the cardboard pieces over.
The goal is to compete on how many pieces you can flip within the time limit.
It’s a tabletop game that stays within the table area, and since it involves quick wrist movements, it’s also great exercise.
A game using a uchiwa fan and a cap
This is a recreation activity using a uchiwa fan and plastic bottle caps.
Place the caps on the fan, then move the fan as if you were flipping a frying pan to turn the caps over.
The more caps there are, the higher the difficulty.
You could compete for the fastest time, or split into teams and see which side can flip them all over first—either way, it should be a lot of fun.
Fan Beanbag Relay
Let me introduce a fan-and-beanbag relay that everyone can enjoy.
Sit in chairs lined up side by side, and use handheld fans to pass along a beanbag.
Because it’s done while seated, people who have difficulty standing or moving their bodies can likely participate as well.
Since both the fans and beanbags are quite light, it doesn’t require much strength.
And with fans and beanbags, there’s little risk of injury if something is dropped.
Through the relay, participants can call out to each other and work together, which may also lead to new interactions.
It can also be fun to make two lines and hold a head-to-head relay competition.
Uchiwa Volleyball
Let’s try playing volleyball using uchiwa fans and balloons.
Unlike a ball, a balloon moves slowly and is easy to track with your eyes, and because it’s light, you can hit it even if you don’t have much strength in your hands.
You can also play while seated, so there’s no running around and it’s safe.
If the balloon looks like it’s about to go outside the circle, you can fan it to change its direction.
It’s a recreational activity that can be enjoyed by both small and large groups.
Balloon scooping
We’d like to introduce a very simple and easy activity that still gets everyone excited and requires a good sense of balance: Balloon Scooping.
You may be familiar with the small water balloons used for yo-yo fishing at summer festivals.
For Balloon Scooping, instead of filling those balloons with water, you just inflate them with air.
Place about 10 balloons on a flat surface like a table, put a box next to them, and use a paper fan to scoop the balloons into the box.
How many seconds will it take to get all the balloons in? The balloons float and wobble, making them hard to scoop—and that’s what makes the game so much fun.
[For Seniors] Exciting! A Roundup of Game Ideas Using Uchiwa Fans (21–30)
Evil Spirit Banishment Game
Let me introduce a game for driving away evil spirits by fanning them off with a paper fan.
Stick a photo of a person onto a plastic bottle, pour in a little water, and stand it on a table.
Draw a picture of an evil spirit on a plastic bag with a felt-tip pen, then place the bag over the plastic bottle that has a staff member’s photo on it.
Hand each participant a fan, and at the signal to start, have them fan the bottle to drive away the evil spirit.
Using real people’s photos will likely spark laughter with comments like “They’re possessed!” and “They’re saved!” Because players need to fan vigorously, it also works as an exercise for the wrists and arms.
It’s recommended as a recreational activity in senior care facilities.
