[For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
To increase opportunities for physical activity and social interaction, many older adults visit facilities such as day-service centers.
However, there may be many who find it difficult to start conversations on their own and end up sitting by themselves.
In this article, we introduce simple hand-play songs that can be done while seated! If it’s a tune they’ve heard before, they can join in with enjoyment, which can also help spark interaction with other participants.
In addition, raising the arms and moving the fingers serves as brain training and is important for preventing cognitive decline.
Please try these as fun recreational activities!
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[For Seniors] Popular hand-play songs. Fun brain-training ideas introduced (1–10)
The Hare and the Tortoise
“The Tortoise and the Hare” is a children’s song that sets Aesop’s fable directly to lyrics.
Because it has long been passed down as a nursery rhyme, many older adults will remember hearing it often in their childhood.
The story of the slow tortoise and the hare racing is well known.
In the end, the hare, who underestimated the tortoise, loses the race.
When using it for recreation, exercising while singing this song provides good stimulation for the brain.
Even if you make mistakes in the movements, the key is not to stop and to enjoy continuing all the way to the end.
butterflied sardine(s)
The hand game “Iwashi no Hiraki,” where you flap your hands open and closed, is simple yet uses the fingers precisely and stimulates the brain.
Repeating it to songs or rhythms improves concentration and may help prevent cognitive decline.
It can be done while seated, so it’s easy on older adults, and even those who aren’t comfortable speaking up can participate easily.
If you randomly change the type of fish to match the number of fingers, it stays engaging without getting boring.
It’s a quick, fun brain training activity recommended for seniors.
The Bento Box Song
Here’s an idea for enjoying the “Obentōbako no Uta” in completely different ways just by changing the tempo.
For example, when you sing it slowly, imagine a heavy, large lunch box and make your movements big and relaxed.
Conversely, when you speed up the tempo, pretend you’re making a small, cute lunch box, using compact, rhythmic motions.
Switching between these images stimulates brain activity and also provides sensory input to the hands.
It’s an enjoyable game you can do while seated, with little strain—and it’s sure to bring out smiles.
[For Seniors] Popular hand-play songs: Introducing fun brain-training ideas (11–20)
Zuizui Zukkorobashi
Let me introduce a traditional hand game that uses an old children’s song, “Zuizui Zukkorobashi.” Participants sit in a circle and make small rings with their hands.
One person goes around inserting a finger into each hand ring in turn, and the person whose hand the finger enters on the last beat of the song switches places and becomes “it.” It’s simple, but by focusing on the timing of inserting the finger and staying aware, it helps develop attention and a sense of rhythm.
Another plus is that it can be done comfortably while seated without large body movements, making it a good opportunity to encourage interaction among participants.
It’s recommended as a fun recreational activity that stimulates the brain.
Where are you from?
Antagata Dokosa is known as one of the handball (temari) songs among traditional children’s songs.
There are two theories about its setting: Kumamoto City in Kumamoto Prefecture, and Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture.
Many older adults may remember playing with a ball to this song when they were young.
Sitting down, they clap their hands while patting their thighs, and add steps like stomping and swinging their arms.
Because it involves performing various movements simultaneously, it seems likely to help invigorate both body and mind.
Yakiimo goo-choki-pa
Here is an idea for a hands-on rhythm game called “Yakiimo Goo-Choki-Paa.” It’s a simple activity where you move your hands like rock-paper-scissors in time with the lyrics, but syncing to the rhythm stimulates the brain and quickly turns it into training that uses judgment and reflexes.
The motions naturally bring smiles as you play, easing tension and sparking interaction with those around you.
Although the movements are simple, they unexpectedly engage both mind and hands, making it easy to try and hard to get bored of.
Because it’s done while seated, even those concerned about their stamina can participate comfortably.
tea caddy
“Chatsubo” is an easy hand-play song, so it’s a great one to try.
A chatsubo is a container used to store tea leaves.
The line in the lyrics, “the tea jar has no lid,” refers to the old custom of covering the jar from above with washi paper instead of using a lid.
The lyrics are simple and easy to remember, making it a recommended hand-play song for older adults as well.
You cup your hands to mimic a tea jar and move your left and right hands in turn.
This naturally engages the hands and fingers, providing good stimulation for the brain.
Moving your hands while singing also makes it a form of brain training.