[For Seniors] Recommended! Seasonal Recreational Activities
The recreational activities offered at facilities have various benefits, including invigorating the mind, body, and brain, and improving quality of life.
Because they often involve interacting with others, they also naturally encourage communication.
By incorporating a sense of the seasons into recreation, older adults can lead even more fulfilling daily lives.
So this time, we’re introducing seasonal-themed recreational activities.
For older adults who may find it difficult to sense the passage of time, seasonal recreation can help them become more aware of time.
It also allows those who have trouble going out to feel the seasons, providing positive stimulation to break up the monotony of spending most days indoors.
We hope this helps make each day more enjoyable.
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Fun Autumn Activities: Recreation Games
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Recreations to Experience in August
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Cherry-Blossom Viewing! Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun! Games and Ideas to Boost Memory
- Recommended recreational activities to help seniors enjoy their time in care facilities
- For Seniors: Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in April
- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
Spring Recreation (11–20)
Samurai helmet made from construction paper
Here’s a perfect May craft: a samurai helmet made from construction paper.
While you can make a helmet with origami, using construction paper lets you create a three-dimensional version.
Cut the construction paper according to the template.
It’s easy if you use a store-bought template or one you’ve downloaded.
Make slits with scissors and glue the pieces to assemble the helmet.
This three-dimensional helmet craft is likely to be enjoyable for older adults as well.
Once it’s finished, you can display it on the wall or take it home and decorate with it there.
Koinobori Shooter
Introducing a carp streamer shooter made with a paper cup.
Cut out the bottom of the paper cup.
Cut a balloon slightly and stretch it over the bottom of the cup, then reinforce it with tape.
Tie the tip of the balloon on the opposite side of where you taped.
You can decorate the sides of the cup by attaching origami paper or stickers to the balloon tip area, or by drawing scale patterns.
Add eyes to finish.
Drop a ping-pong ball in from the drinking rim of the cup and pull the balloon.
The ping-pong ball will shoot out, so you can play games with it.
How about a game where you launch ping-pong balls from the carp streamer shooter into a basket or box? It’s a craft that older adults can enjoy even after making it.
Carnation made with origami
No matter how old you are, receiving a bouquet of flowers is always delightful, isn’t it? In honor of Mother’s Day in May, how about making a bouquet of carnations out of origami? Carnations are characterized by their soft petals with fluttery, frilled edges.
Try crumpling the origami paper for the carnation flowers first, then cutting it with pinking shears.
Using pinking shears will give the cut edges a zigzag finish.
Use about four sheets of origami petals to create each carnation flower.
Make the stem and leaves from construction paper and attach the carnation blossom to complete it.
If you make several carnations and arrange them into a bouquet, you’ll have a truly lovely piece.
Older adults may also find themselves reminiscing about Mother’s Day as they craft their carnations.
Carnation wreath
Introducing a carnation wreath you can make with materials from a 100-yen shop.
Prepare flower paper, stack five sheets, and fold them in an accordion.
Open it once and cut it into quarters.
Staple the center of the flower paper and cut the edges into a zigzag.
After opening it once, cut a V-shape in the middle.
Wrap wire around the flower paper, then gently fluff the paper without tearing it to create a carnation blossom.
Make eight of these.
Prepare a wreath base and attach the carnations so they overlap.
Decorate with a ribbon to finish.
Because activities that use the fingertips are said to provide good stimulation for the brain, this is also recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.
Carnations made of felt
Carnations are a flower famously given for Mother’s Day.
Why not try making one by hand to express your gratitude? You’ll need red and green felt and some wire.
First, make the flower.
Prepare a strip of red felt cut lengthwise, and snip it so it’s divided into eight sections.
Trim the cut sections into wavy edges to shape them.
Thread a string through the uncut edge and pull it tight.
As it gathers, pinch it with wire and sew it together with the flower.
Make three of these and bundle them, then wrap them with a larger flower piece.
Use green felt to create the calyx and leaves, gather the wires, and secure them with tape.
You now have a heartfelt carnation that will never wilt.
Give it a try!
Fly away, koi-nobori!
Let me introduce a recreation activity using a koinobori (carp streamer) called “Fly Away, Koinobori.” You will need one double-spread newspaper page, a pen, and tape.
First, fold the double-spread newspaper in half, then fold down about 10 centimeters along the top edge.
Roll the paper into a tube so that the folded section is on the inside.
Tape it to prevent it from unrolling.
With the koinobori shape complete, use a pen to draw designs and patterns to create your original koinobori.
To use it, launch it like a paper airplane.
You can adapt the activity in many ways: compete for flight distance, flight time, or aim at targets.
While having fun, it also provides exercise and training from the shoulders to the fingertips, making it recommended for senior care facilities.
Spring Recreation (21–30)
Making chimaki (bamboo leaf-wrapped rice dumplings)
Chimaki, the rice dumplings familiar from the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).
In the spirit of their original meaning—prayers for health and safety—here is how to make them.
Prepare non-glutinous rice flour, glutinous rice flour, granulated sugar, and water.
Add the ingredients in several batches, mixing each time to avoid lumps.
Once the mixture comes together, heat it in the microwave while checking the texture, aiming for a translucent, glossy finish.
Place it on a damp, well-wrung cloth and knead until elastic, then briefly cool it by dipping in cold water to remove residual heat.
Cut the mochi into long, thin pieces and shape them into cones.
Place two bamboo leaves slightly offset with the glossy side up, set a piece of mochi on top, and wrap.
Thread igusa (rush grass) through and tie it around the leaves to finish.
Before eating, you may find yourself reminiscing about childhood and sparking lively tales of days gone by.