[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 (51–60)
Simple Darts
Simple Darts is a fun game idea you can make using a small whiteboard and magnets.
Draw a large circle on the whiteboard with a smaller circle in the center.
Divide the large circle into eight sections and assign points to each one.
The center circle should be the highest score: 100 points.
Wrap the magnets in any fabric you like.
The rules are simple: throw the magnets at the whiteboard and compete based on the score where they stick.
It’s sure to be exciting as either an individual or team game.
You can easily prepare it since whiteboards and magnets are available at 100-yen shops.
Moshikame Goo-Paa Hand Play
Let’s do the open-and-close hand exercise along with the children’s song “The Hare and the Tortoise.” When you make a fist, move your thumbs either outside or tucked inside.
Doing it while singing is expected to further stimulate brain activity.
Match the movements to the lyrics: have both thumbs move the same way, or have each thumb move differently.
As you might guess, making them move differently is more challenging.
Once you get used to the thumb movements, give it a try.
It’s said that tasks that feel a bit harder than your usual movements are more effective at activating the brain.
Pa-Ta-Ka-Ra alternating counting exercise
Let me introduce a very simple exercise that also trains your brain: the alternating Pa-Ta-Ka counting exercise.
What you do is very simple! Say “pa” while raising the index finger of your left hand and keeping your right hand in a fist.
Next, say “ta,” raise two fingers on your right hand, and make a fist with your left hand.
Then, say “ka,” raise three fingers on your left hand, and make a fist with your right hand.
In this way, you alternate between your left and right hands while counting.
By having your brain process speaking and finger counting at the same time, multiple stimuli are sent to the brain, which is expected to help prevent cognitive decline.
Give it a try!
Momotaro Card Game
Let me introduce a Momotaro-themed card game based on the Japanese folktale “Momotaro.” Prepare a total of 63 cards: nine each of Momotaro, Monkey, Pheasant, Dog, Red Ogre, Blue Ogre, and Green Ogre.
Place all cards face down, and each player draws three cards to start.
The rule is that the first person to complete one of the following three patterns wins: three of the same picture; the trio of Dog, Monkey, and Pheasant; or three ogres of different colors.
On your turn, return one of your cards face down to the table and draw a different card, working toward completing your chosen set.
The charm of this game is in devising strategies for which set to complete and remembering where others have returned their cards—you’ll have your brain running at full power while having fun! Give it a try!
For Seniors: Highly Effective Brain Training! A Fun Collection of Hand Games (61–70)
Number Cop
Let me introduce Number Cups, a brain-training game you can do with minimal preparation.
All you need are construction paper and paper cups.
Write the numbers 1 through 9 on both the construction paper and the paper cups, and place the construction paper on the floor or table.
At the start signal, place each paper cup on the paper with the matching number.
Because it requires comprehension and decision-making—identifying which number and where to place it—along with quick reactions, it sends plenty of stimulation to the brain.
You can expect it to help prevent cognitive decline while having fun as a game.
Ping-pong ball catcher
Let me introduce a game called Pinball Catcher, which lets you do foot rehabilitation while having fun.
Prepare a table set at an angle, add walls on both sides, and place obstacles on the table using disposable containers or similar items.
Once the participants have nets attached to their feet, you’re ready to go.
Roll a ping-pong ball from the top of the table.
Predict the ball’s path as it bounces off obstacles, and catch it with the net attached to your foot.
Because you have to move your feet while watching where the ball will drop, it makes for great foot training.
Put the ping-pong ball in
In facilities for the elderly and similar settings, daily recreation is common, but preparing large-scale activities can be difficult.
This time, we’ll introduce a fun game you can play with everyday items: the “Ping-Pong Ball Drop” game.
Set up walls on both sides of a table using empty tissue boxes, and place paper cups on the table.
Have participants throw ping-pong balls and try to land them in the cups.
If you write point values on the cups and compete for scores, even spectators can get excited and enjoy the game together.