Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
At day service centers and residential facilities where many older adults gather, seasonal events are often held.
Some staff members may be wondering what kind of performances will delight the seniors at these times.
In this article, we introduce easy-to-implement entertainment ideas and games.
We’ve picked out performances that staff can present, as well as activities that seniors can join in together.
Let’s aim for a crowd-pleasing event that everyone can enjoy and get the excitement going!
Recommended fun performances that will be popular with seniors (1–10)
Hinamatsuri cosplay by staffNEW!
Staff members transform into Hina dolls and have fun! This is a “serious Hinamatsuri” recreation activity.
It might be nice to dress up as the Emperor and Empress, and depending on the number of people, as the three court ladies or the five musicians.
When the staff make their entrance, the venue fills with smiles.
Coming out a little shyly is also part of the fun.
Try lining up like a real tiered Hina display, or let the participants decide the order—both are recommended.
Taking photos together will make for a wonderful, memorable day.
Enjoy Hinamatsuri together in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Instrument performance
Ordinarily, there aren’t many chances to hear live instrumental performances.
If any of your staff have experience in wind ensembles or play instruments as a hobby, we recommend having them perform at events like Christmas parties! Even familiar nursery rhymes and popular songs feel completely different when played on instruments, and it can be very moving.
Unlike recorded audio such as CDs, the sound of live instruments resonates deep within the body, so older adults will surely be impressed by a live performance unfolding right before their eyes.
drama
A play created and performed by the staff is sure to be the highlight of any year-end or New Year’s party! If you present a twist on a classic folk tale that everyone knows, the older adults won’t be able to keep from laughing.
The key to making the play a success is to throw yourself wholeheartedly into your role without feeling embarrassed.
If you act timidly, the audience will lose interest.
If the group is small and it’s easy to move around, inviting older adults to participate in the play as it progresses may make it even more exciting.
True or False Quiz
It’s a simple quiz where participants answer each question with either true or false.
Because the answers are so straightforward, even those who don’t know the correct answer can rely on intuition, making it easier for more people to join in—that’s the key appeal.
You can enjoy the game in various formats, such as last-person-standing rules where incorrect responders are eliminated, or formats where players compete on the number of correct answers.
You could include questions related to prefectures that draw on accumulated knowledge, or tailor the quiz to the participants’ age group to make it even more exciting.
Magic
When it comes to entertainment for year-end and New Year parties or Christmas gatherings, magic is a classic choice! Tricks like stabbing swords into a box with someone inside or making body parts appear to come apart can actually be recreated surprisingly easily with cardboard mechanisms.
The easiest to prepare are things like card tricks that use small props, but if you’re performing in front of a crowd, we recommend tricks that are easy to see from a distance.
And even if you mess up, take it in stride—turn it into a joke to keep the crowd energized!
two-person robe (Nininbaori): a comedic act where two people share one kimono-like garment, with the rear person acting as the arms for the front person
A two-person “niin-baori” skit, where no one can predict what will happen next, is perfect for livening up the atmosphere! Two people form a pair: one person wears a haori or similar garment while the other stands behind and reaches around, doing things like makeup or feeding them without being able to see.
Since you can’t directly check the placement of items on the table or the position of the face, all you can do is watch over it together and laugh out loud.
It’s fun not only to have staff members perform the skit for everyone, but also to pair up with older adults and try it—while taking safety into careful consideration.
sing a song
Songs are perfect for opening or closing Christmas and New Year’s parties! Warm up your voice first to get your throat in good condition, then let’s all sing together in unison.
Singing naturally brings smiles and opens the heart, doesn’t it? Even people who don’t usually talk much may loosen up by singing together, and they might enjoy the games that follow.
It’s also a good idea to research songs everyone knows or likes in advance, and to add accompaniment on a keyboard or similar instrument to match the song’s tempo!