[For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation

The “Haa” game

“Haa” Game: How to Play Video

I’d like to introduce a game called “Haa Game,” where everyone acts out prompts and guesses each other’s roles.

Staff make handmade voting cards and voting chips using drawing paper, hand them out, and then everyone selects one prompt card from the set we prepared.

After distributing an Act Card to each person, act out the prompt’s line according to the situation assigned to you.

When acting, you may only use your voice and facial expressions.

The others consider which kind of “haa” you’re performing and vote.

After everyone has acted, reveal the correct answers.

Each correct guesser earns 1 point, and the performer earns points equal to the number of people who guessed correctly.

The player with the most points wins! It’s a game that encourages active communication while giving your brain a workout.

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mayumi

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A game where you create prefecture names using 16 katakana characters

[Elderly Recreation] Rec Master Series Part 16: 'Find the Prefecture'

Let me introduce a fun thinking game where you create Japanese prefecture names using 16 katakana characters.

Write one katakana character per square on a sheet, preparing a paper with 16 characters.

Then, combine the katakana to see how many prefecture names you can form and compete for the highest count.

It’s likely to get lively if you split into teams, set a time limit at each table, and take on the challenge.

It’s also a fun game that can help prevent cognitive decline and stimulate communication, so give it a try.

You might discover something new!

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mayumi

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Colorful Card Rec – Idiom Quiz

[Senior Recreation] Quick Brain Training! Recreation Using Handmade Cards [Preventive Care, Day Service Activities, Elderly Care]

This is an idiom quiz that looks like it could strengthen language skills.

In this version, you look at several prompts and answer which body part they have in common.

For example, if the idioms are “cut through the wind,” “shrug,” and “breathe,” the common body part would be “shoulder.” In Japanese, you often hear expressions like “cut through the wind with your shoulders,” “shrug your shoulders,” and “breathe with your shoulders.” Try creating questions like this.

Since these are expressions everyone knows, it should be fun for groups.

As a variation, it could also be fun to work backward from a body part to come up with related idioms.

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Colorful Card Rec: Fish Edition Quiz

[Senior Recreation] Quick Brain Training! Recreation Using Handmade Cards [Preventive Care, Day Service Activities, Elderly Care]

From the familiar to the unfamiliar, you can freely adjust the difficulty! Introducing the Fish Radical Quiz.

There are so many kanji that use the fish radical, and their readings change dramatically depending on the character on the right.

In this quiz, you keep switching the right-hand component and guess how the kanji is read.

Thinking about which fish it might represent mobilizes memory, reasoning, and language comprehension, providing excellent cognitive stimulation.

It also encourages lively communication among participants with fish-related topics.

Using colorful cards makes it visually fun too—be sure to make some and give it a try!

Communication Card

[Magical Brain-Training Cards] Communication Cards [Brain Training + Communication]

If you’re looking for a card game that energizes the brain and the heart, this is a must-see! Here’s how to play a communication card game.

The rules are very simple: prepare several cards with prompts such as flowers, animals, colors, or foods.

The person who draws a card names three things related to the word on the card.

For example, if someone draws a card that says “Flowers,” it’s OK if they can name three flower names like tulip, cherry blossom, and dandelion.

It seems great for improving vocabulary and memory! If you add twists to the prompts, like “Something great about the person next to you” or “Something that made you happy recently,” the conversation will definitely take off.

Give it a try!

Animal Battle

Let's make and play a card game

Let’s make our own original cards and have some fun! First, prepare six cards.

If you’re repurposing unused cards, we recommend putting a card and a piece of white paper into a sleeve to create one.

After choosing a theme you like—such as animals or vehicles—write the card’s name, a number showing its power from 0 to 6, and draw an illustration on each card.

Two players battle with three cards each.

Both players place a card face down, reveal them at the same time, and the card with the higher power wins.

You play three battles, and the first to win two is the overall winner.

It sounds fun from the very process of making your original cards.

The rules are simple, and you can play with just a few cards, so give it a try!

Momotaro Card Game

A Momotaro card game that anyone can easily enjoy while stimulating the brain!

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!