Fun Halloween recreation activities at a nursing care facility
When it comes to big events in October, Halloween is the first that comes to mind!
Many day service staff may be thinking, “We want our elderly clients to experience the excitement of Halloween that’s so popular among younger generations!”
In this article, we introduce recommended recreational activities for Halloween events held at care facilities.
We’ve gathered a variety of content to liven up Halloween at care homes—from easy-to-play games to Halloween decorations that brighten up the facility.
Let’s help older adults fully enjoy the fun of Halloween!
Fun Halloween Recreational Activities at a Care Facility (1–10)
costume; dressing up; disguise; cosplay
Halloween costumes aren’t just for young people.
I believe the desire to transform has nothing to do with age! Costumes are also great for Halloween parties at care facilities.
Dressing up once a year and enjoying a bit of fantasy is sure to be stimulating for older adults as well.
Those who are energetic can go for full costumes, and those with limitations can simply wear a wig or use Halloween accessories—both are perfectly fine! Since both day-service staff and seniors can enjoy it together, facilities planning Halloween activities should use this as a reference.
Ghost origami
Speaking of Halloween, it’s all about ghost origami, isn’t it? Folding ghost origami can help prevent dementia and makes it easy to enjoy seasonal events.
The key points when folding a ghost are to make crisp creases and to angle the hands slightly to give a sense of movement.
Doing origami can aid in rehabilitation after a stroke, and learning folding steps can also help improve memory.
Try changing the colors of the paper to make a bunch of colorful ghosts and enjoy Halloween!
Ghost Fishing Game
How about a “Ghost Fishing Game” for Halloween events or recreation at a care facility? If the seniors make the ghosts themselves, it brings out individuality and adds a handcrafted feel! It’s easy for anyone to make: just attach a magnet to the fishing rod and a paper clip to the ghost.
Setting rules—like competing to see how many ghosts you can catch in one minute—will make the game more exciting.
Since the fishing line swings, it can be quite challenging unless you concentrate! It also helps improve seniors’ focus, so please feel free to use this as a reference.
Candy Shooting Game
Here’s a fun, crowd-pleasing game that’s perfect for Halloween recreation.
Toss ping-pong balls into holes cut into a target.
You can simply throw the balls by hand, but let’s make it more creative.
It’s even more fun if you use a homemade launcher for the ping-pong balls, made from items like disposable chopsticks or plastic bottle caps.
Design the target as a jack-o’-lantern or a ghost to create a Halloween atmosphere.
With two launchers, you can play both team matches and individual matches.
Since the game can be set up on a table and played while seated, older adults who find it difficult to stand can also join in.
Enjoy your festive time!
Snack party
Speaking of Halloween, there’s also the custom of giving out candy in addition to dressing up.
It’s said that Halloween began with people offering sweets to evil spirits to ask them to return to their own world.
With that in mind, why not hold a candy-themed recreation activity for a Halloween event at senior care facilities or day services? You could let the seniors choose their favorite treats from an assortment of sweets, or have them make parfaits topped with the candies they like.
Sharing a fun fact about the Halloween phrase “Trick or Treat” when receiving candy can also help spark even more conversation.
Pumpkin pancakes
Pancakes are fun to make together around a hot plate, aren’t they? Wearing an apron and a triangular headscarf adds a little excitement to everyday life.
The method is simple: pre-measure cake flour and baking powder, and prepare eggs, soy milk, sugar, pumpkin, rice oil, and salt.
Soften the pumpkin in the microwave, mash it, then add the eggs and whisk.
Add the sugar, salt, rice oil, and soy milk in order, mixing as you go, then combine with the cake flour and baking powder.
Once both sides of the batter are browned on a preheated hot plate, they’re done! Flipping the pancakes also makes for good hand and finger exercise.
Jack-o’-lantern chopstick passing
A recreation activity where participants pass Halloween cups with a jack-o’-lantern motif using disposable chopsticks.
Form teams by lining up in a single row, and pass the Halloween cup along in order.
Because you can participate while seated, it’s easy on older adults, which is great.
The person chosen as the team’s anchor will run to complete the lantern tower.
You’ll also enjoy the thrill of trying not to drop the cup while passing it with chopsticks.
It’s an activity everyone in the facility can do together and enjoy as a race.
