[For Seniors] Extremely Effective Brain Training! A Fun Collection of Hand Games
As a form of recreation for older adults, many facilities incorporate hand games that involve moving the fingers and arms.
It’s said that making fine movements with the fingertips or performing different motions with the right and left arms helps activate the brain.
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of hand games that also serve as brain training.
These hand games range widely—from activities that only move the fingertips to ones that use the arms, and even the upper body and legs.
Please choose activities that match participants’ physical condition.
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For Seniors: Highly Effective Brain Training! A Fun Collection of Hand Games (61–70)
Brown kobin hand clap
Let us introduce the brown Kobin hand-clap that follows the rhythm.
Clap on “Pan,” and take a rest on “Un.” The tempo changes a little partway through the rhythm.
The number of claps also changes to match the tempo.
Clapping along while listening to the rhythm helps refresh both body and mind and fosters communication with those around you.
It’s an activity you can enjoy while seated, so please give it a try.
It’s also recommended to use small instruments like bells while doing it.
Close It, Open It
This is an upper-body exercise performed to the children’s song “Musunde Hiraite.” Move your upper body to match the song’s lyrics, which describe hand movements.
Once you get used to it, doing the opposite of the lyrics’ movements can help stimulate the brain.
It’s also great to sing while you exercise.
If the tempo feels too fast and difficult, try starting with slower movements.
Give this exercise a try for morning calisthenics or recreational activities in care facilities, or as part of exercises in day service programs.
Goo-Paa Exercise
The Goo-Paa exercise supports brain activation and building a healthy body by moving your hands and fingers.
It’s a simple workout you can do while seated, and it’s often used in care facilities.
First, take a deep breath to steady your breathing, then wiggle your toes to get ready.
In the Goo-Paa exercise, you repeatedly push your hands forward on “goo” (fist) and pull them back on “paa” (open hand).
Once you’re comfortable with the basic movement, try moving your hands up and down or adding leg movements.
By memorizing the set sequence, this exercise not only moves your body but also serves as brain training.
Clap-along brain training
This is a hand game where you clap rhythmically along with various hand movements.
In addition to clapping, trying different finger motions also helps with brain training.
First, master the set rhythm of clapping.
Next, try movements that combine clapping with rock-paper-scissors (fist, scissors, open hand).
Adjust the difficulty by changing the number of claps.
There are also moves that showcase asymmetrical finger positions together with clapping.
It’s an exercise you can enjoy with a wide range of variations, such as increasing numbers or adding punching motions.
Seniors who attend care facilities can try these clapping movements together and have a great time!
origami
Origami brings a sense of nostalgia, doesn’t it? Folding paper to create shapes is a lot of fun.
Since it uses fine finger movements, it also helps stimulate the brain.
There are many kinds of origami, from simple folds to challenging ones, so you can enjoy it at your own pace.
If it’s difficult with one hand, it’s great to fold together with people around you.
While communicating, you can also experience the joy of completing a single piece as a group.
Through origami, you can express creativity and feel a sense of accomplishment, so please give it a try.
Number Exercises
This is an exercise where you repeat the movement assigned to each number.
For example, when someone says “1,” you touch your head; when they say “2,” you clap your hands—decide the roles beforehand.
Simply changing the order of the numbers increases the difficulty, so you can enjoy various arrangements.
Also, thinking “What was the movement for that number again?” helps with cognitive training for older adults.
It’s also a training activity that can spark communication and conversation among seniors.
Encourage everyone to help each other with parts they don’t understand and work together on the exercises.
launch; founding; starting up (e.g., of a new organization or enterprise)
This is a game that uses a flag-raising activity with red and white flags.
It’s simple—you just move the flags as instructed—but it’s surprisingly difficult when you try it.
Start with easy motions like raising and lowering the red and white flags.
Once you get used to it, add more challenging moves, such as lowering the white flag without lowering the red one.
Creating parody lyrics to children’s songs or popular tunes and performing the moves to the rhythm will make it even more fun.
Challenging irregular hand movements turns this into a brain-training hand game.
Try incorporating it into various events and recreational activities, and switch up the music to keep it fresh.