[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 (41–50)
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.
[For Seniors] Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (51–60)
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.
Blue Oni made with a toilet paper roll core
This is a cute blue ogre craft made with a toilet paper roll and origami.
Cut the roll in half, then wrap the lower half with a piece for the ogre’s pants—yellow origami decorated with patterns drawn in black pen.
Cover the upper half, which will be the face, with light blue origami.
Draw the eyes and mouth with a black pen, then finish by attaching cheeks, hair, and horn pieces cut from origami.
It’s rounded but very stable, making it perfect for display! It’s also lovely to make ogres in various colors and line them up.
Oni roly-poly doll
In February for Setsubun, let’s make an ogre-themed roly-poly toy.
Inflate a balloon to the size you want, then use diluted glue to stick torn pieces of shoji paper onto the surface.
Layer the paper so it’s three to five sheets thick, then brush on more glue and let it dry.
Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and drop some glue and a marble into the hollow shell to weight and fix it.
Finally, decorate it with hair and horns to make it look like an oni, and you’re done.
It takes time to dry, so it’s nice that you can enjoy the process at a relaxed pace.
Kinako Boro
These kinako bolo cookies let you enjoy the Setsubun vibe while getting a good dose of protein.
The appeal is how easy they are: you only need four ingredients—egg yolk, sugar, potato starch, and roasted soybean flour (kinako).
Mix them together, roll into balls about the size of soybeans, and bake in the oven to make a light, melt-in-the-mouth snack.
Since some ovens brown more quickly than others, keep an eye on them and adjust the baking time as needed.
They’re a nice way to get into the Setsubun spirit even if you’re not a fan of beans.
Plus, the tactile fun of rolling the dough is another charming touch.
Caramel Nuts with Setsubun Beans
Have you ever ended up with leftover beans from Setsubun? Caramel nuts made with Setsubun beans are perfect for times like that.
In fact, it’s a very simple recipe you can make with just a frying pan.
First, melt sugar and butter to make a caramel.
Next, coat the Setsubun beans, walnuts, almonds, and the like.
Then let it cool and set, and it quickly turns into a crispy, toasty snack.
The gentle sweetness and nutty bean aroma give it a nice Japanese touch.
It would go well with tea, too.
Easy demon Baumkuchen
An easy-to-make Oni Baumkuchen is also recommended.
First, prepare a store-bought Swiss roll cake.
Cut it into bite-sized wedge-shaped pieces.
Next, use whipped cream for the hair and a chocolate pen to draw the face.
At this point, it should already start looking like an ogre.
For the finishing touch, place an Apollo chocolate on top of the head, and it’s done.
If you change the color of the cake, you could make a red ogre too.
The fun part is drawing a variety of facial expressions.
Try making your very own Oni Baumkuchen.