[For Seniors] Get Through the Chilly February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations
Compared to January, February gradually becomes warmer, but in some regions the cold still lingers, doesn’t it?
In fact, it’s said that infectious diseases like influenza and norovirus peak through February, and the incidence of strokes also increases nationwide up to February.
This time, we’re introducing recreation activities to help you get through the still-chilly season with a smile!
February also includes events like Valentine’s Day and Setsubun, and with a bit of creativity, older adults can enjoy and actively take part.
Be sure to make use of these in day services and senior facilities!
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] February Trivia: Useful Knowledge
- [For seniors] A handmade calendar you’ll want to make in February
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
- For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
- [For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention
- [For Seniors] Winter Haiku: Introducing Beautiful Masterpieces by Famous Haiku Poets
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Recommended Origami for February
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
[For Seniors] Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (21–30)
Heart Attraction Game
Let me introduce a recreation activity perfect for Valentine’s Day.
In this game, you reel in heart-shaped balloons placed on a stand.
Each balloon has a string attached, so turn the handle in front of you to wind the string.
The first person to bring the heart to their spot wins.
There’s also a unique twist: each heart has a staff member’s photo attached.
It’s a great game for finger and hand exercise, so feel free to add your own variations and enjoy it together with older adults.
Ehomaki Catching Game
It’s a game where you catch and retrieve fake ehomaki using a frame attached to strings.
Think of it like goldfish scooping.
Because the ehomaki are round and tend to roll away, they don’t easily stay inside the frame.
So you’ll need to reel the frame in with the strings and throw your arm out repeatedly.
You can play it while seated, but it still engages your whole body and makes for good exercise.
After working up a sweat by seeing how many you can pull in within the time limit, be sure to enjoy some real ehomaki!
[For Seniors] Let’s Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (31–40)
Song exercise: Mount Fuji
February 23 was designated “Mt.
Fuji Day” in 2001.
The reason for this date is said to be a play on sounds in Japanese: 2 = fu, 2 = ji, 3 = san (Fuji-san).
As a February activity, how about trying a seated exercise set to the children’s song “Fujinoyama”? You can move your arms in a figure-eight to evoke Mount Fuji, or slowly spread your hands and feet to the sides.
The melody is very calm, so it’s easy to move your body without strain.
If you know the song, feel free to sing along and enjoy it.
Kabuki viewing
February 20 is designated as Kabuki Day, originating from Izumo no Okuni’s performance of kabuki dance before Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
With that in mind, how about planning a kabuki outing as a February event? A full kabuki program often lasts around four hours, which may feel long for older attendees.
However, there are “hitomakumi-seki” (single-act seats) that let you casually watch just the act you like.
These tickets are also recommended for beginners, so why not give it a try and see a performance?
Setsubun Candy-Grabbing Game
Even older adults might feel like kids again when they hear they can get candy, don’t you think? In this game, you use a tool with rings attached to a string to catch the candies placed on a mat and pull them toward you.
It’s a game you can play while seated, but since you throw the ring and reel the string in using your arms and upper body, it’s simple yet gives you some exercise.
Wearing an oni (demon) hat or mask while throwing might make it even more exciting.
Gather some nostalgic dagashi (old-time Japanese snacks) and give it a try!
Bean-throwing season’s “Hit, Put On, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Pon!”
‘Whack-a-Helmet Rock-Paper-Scissors’ is a game everyone played as a kid.
You play rock-paper-scissors; the winner tries to whack the loser on the head, and the loser tries to block it before getting hit.
People often use a squeaky toy hammer as the striking tool, but to get into the Setsubun spirit, let’s try using an oni’s club instead.
Of course, it’s just a soft, inflatable club, so there’s no need to worry about injuries.
Even so, just in case, the loser should defend themselves with a cushion or a helmet.
The first person to land a hit on their opponent wins.
A game where you can get candy in the shape of an ogre’s iron club if you drop it
It says “a game where you get candy if you knock it off an ogre’s club,” but the rules are the same as ring toss.
The target, designed to look like a spiked club, has candy attached to it, and if your ring lands on the target and the candy falls off, you get to keep it.
It’s a fun idea because you enjoy the ring toss itself and there are prizes, too.
It’s also recommended as a game to enjoy with your grandchild.
You can easily make the target and rings with materials like thick paper, construction paper, origami paper, and toilet paper rolls, so be sure to make them and give it a try.