[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 (141–150)
snail
A finger exercise that incorporates the beloved Japanese children’s song “Denden Mushi,” enjoyed by people of all ages.
Use both hands to represent the snail’s antennae and shell as you sing along to the cheerful rhythm.
Once you get used to it, add movements to show the snail crawling.
In settings like care facilities, forming a circle and trying the same movements together can create a sense of unity.
This exercise stimulates the frontal lobe by encouraging hand movements that differ from the usual.
Try variations such as making the snail with hands moving up and down or crossing over.
If, if, Mr. Turtle
“Moshimo Shikameyo,” created with the fairy tale “The Tortoise and the Hare” as its motif, repeats the same melody many times, making it perfect for brain training that uses hand play for older adults.
First, open and close your fingers to the rhythm of the song.
Once you get used to it, shift the rhythm and move your hands in the same way.
Having your right and left hands perform different finger movements helps with brain training.
Finally, check how well you did by counting the number of fingers left extended.
Try this hand game set to a fun song everyone knows.
Alternate different hand shapes on the left and right
A finger-play exercise you can try while seated with no preparation, using just your fingertips.
It’s simple—alternate different hand shapes with your left and right hands—but surprisingly tricky.
Start with easy moves like making a fist with one hand and an open hand with the other.
Once you get used to it, try alternating different numbers of fingers.
It’s also fun to add your own twist, like alternating numbers with an aloha (shaka) pose.
It’s a brain-training finger exercise that lets you enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you do it well.
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.
Finger rotation exercise
Finger-rolling exercise done by touching the fingertips of both hands together.
Since it’s a simple, repetitive activity, it’s also recommended before warm-ups or training.
Once you can rotate your fingers smoothly in the same direction, try reversing the direction or adjusting the speed.
It’s also a good idea to try variations, such as moving two fingers at the same time.
Moving your hands in unfamiliar ways, different from your usual motions, helps stimulate the brain.
Why not try this easy, seated hand exercise?
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.