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!
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Recommended fun performances that will be popular with seniors (1–10)
rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling)
Among older adults, there are many who enjoy listening to rakugo on the radio.
Rakugo develops quickly and has many lines, so memorizing it can be quite challenging, but performing live right in front of them will surely make them happy.
For seniors, the speed at which professional rakugo storytellers speak may sometimes be too fast to follow.
When performing at places like day-care centers, please be mindful so everyone can hear and understand, and try to speak loudly, slowly, and carefully.
dance
How about putting on an all-out dance performance to liven up the fun gathering? Many older adults are likely familiar with “Matsuken Samba II,” which became a huge craze after Ken Matsudaira performed it in a flashy gold costume.
You can of course perform the dance in a sparkling outfit, but it’s also recommended to simplify the choreography and dance together with the seniors! It helps loosen up the body and can serve as light exercise, so it might be a good idea to include it in your regular recreational activities.
Juggling
Juggling, one of the classic acts in street performance, is a staple of any show.
You can’t help but focus on the sight of multiple balls soaring through the air.
There are many ways to throw, and by combining them, even simple techniques can be turned into a full routine.
Try building your act by adjusting the basic tricks and the number of balls, keeping in mind that you want the audience to understand what just happened.
Since small balls can be hard to track with the eyes, it may be better to use larger ones so the audience can focus on their trajectories.
Recommended fun performances that will appeal to seniors (11–20)
What’s inside the box?
In variety shows, the “What’s in the box?” game often uses animals or food.
When adapting it for older adults, choose safe items that won’t cause injuries, such as kendama toys or stuffed animals.
In everyday life, people rarely have chances to identify things using only their sense of touch without looking.
Sharpening the senses provides valuable stimulation for the brain, so it’s recommended not only for special events but also as a regular recreational activity.
loach scooping
This piece portrays someone scooping loaches in time with the folk song Yasugibushi, which is passed down in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture.
While it is a traditional performing art, its unique movements have also made it a staple act at banquet entertainments.
Wearing a conical hat and a tenugui headscarf and holding a strainer in hand, the performer expresses the act of scooping loaches.
A performance with the face covered can certainly energize the crowd, but since this art form is meant to convey humor, it’s recommended to present it in a way that spreads smiles to those around you.
prop-based wordplay
For party entertainment, comedy is a classic choice.
To make seniors laugh, simpler bits might be easier to understand.
In that case, we recommend “mono-boke,” which uses various props.
Think up different patterns, like parodies of object names or skits based on situations suggested by the objects.
It can also be fun to test quick thinking by handing someone a prop and having them perform a bit on the spot.
Since speed and volume are key, if you can’t come up with a joke, just power through with momentum—like shouting the object’s name.
pantomime
Pantomime is the skill of making it look like something exists in an empty space.
It’s a classic act for parties and the like, and the fact that it requires no props is a bonus.
The routine where you make it seem like there’s an invisible wall is easy to understand, so starting there is recommended.
Where you place your hands and which parts of your body you tense are key points for making it look realistic, so keep practicing to master them.
If you also pay attention to your facial expressions and create a comical vibe, it should make things even more exciting.