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!
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- Exciting Halloween games! Ideas that will captivate both kids and adults
- [For Seniors] Handmade Halloween Treats to Enjoy: Fun Ideas with Pumpkins and Ghosts
- [For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October
- Recommended recreational activities to help seniors enjoy their time in care facilities
- [For Seniors] Let’s Get Excited with Halloween Crafts! Fun and Easy Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recreation Games Related to October Events
- [For Seniors] Highlights of Fun Events at Day-Service Centers
- Explaining interesting initiatives at nursing care facilities! We also introduce seasonal recreational activities.
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Liven Up November Day Services! Fun Autumn Event Ideas
Fun Halloween Recreational Activities at Nursing/Long-Term Care Facilities (31–40)
Spider Web Ball Toss
It’s a game where you throw balls at a spiderweb-like target, aiming to make as many balls stick as possible.
The web and its surroundings are made of adhesive materials like tape, so throw the balls with enough force for them to stick.
As you keep trying, the stickiness gradually decreases, which makes the game feel more challenging over time.
Along with the fun of the game, be sure to pay attention to the surrounding decorations to create a strong Halloween atmosphere.
Halloween Strikeout
It’s a target-throwing game where you toss balls at a board illustrated with various Halloween motifs.
By focusing on the targets and throwing the balls, players also get to learn what kinds of motifs appear at Halloween.
Encouraging them to be mindful of ball control makes it a perfect physical activity as well.
Decorate not only the targets but also the surrounding area with Halloween-themed elements so participants can fully experience the event’s atmosphere.
Halloween ball toss game
Participants form a circle and pass a balloon around while trying to get it into the Halloween tower in the center.
Be careful not to drop the balloon—watch the timing and aim for the tower.
When a balloon goes into the tower, flip over one panel on the whiteboard and try to guess the hidden word.
If you think you know the answer, raise your hand and check it.
If the answer is wrong, put the balloon into the tower again, flip another panel, and gather more clues.
Evil Spirit Banishment Game
In the spirit of Halloween, why not try a game where you banish evil spirits? Cover plastic bottles with bags decorated with ghost drawings, then fan them with a uchiwa (Japanese hand fan) to knock the bags off and drop them onto the floor.
You can compete for the fastest time to remove them all, or have several people play at once and see who can finish first—highly recommended! Depending on how you fan, the bags may come off quickly or take some effort, so try different techniques as you play.
Since you only need to sit and wave a fan, it’s enjoyable for all ages.
Target shooting game with an air cannon
This is a game where you use a tube that shoots bursts of air to knock down Halloween-themed targets.
The air cannon is made by punching a hole in a candy container and attaching a cut balloon, using the balloon to propel the air.
How you design the targets is also important—adjust their weight and the base they sit on to enhance the gameplay.
It’s also essential to focus on decorating the air cannon and the targets to create a strong Halloween atmosphere.
Fun Halloween Recreational Activities at a Nursing Care Facility (41–50)
Easy Homemade Halloween Ring Toss
How about enjoying a ring toss as a Halloween game? The rules are the same as usual, but you decorate the targets with a Halloween theme.
In this idea, toilet paper rolls are turned into ghost targets, and two pipe cleaners are twisted together to make the rings.
Make several targets and glue them onto a base.
Just cut slits along the edge of each roll, fold them outward, and attach them to construction paper.
Using purple and orange pipe cleaners can make it feel even more Halloween-like.
Paper Cup Fishing Game – Halloween
This is a game where you use an essential Halloween ghost mascot to fish up another Halloween essential: monster mascots.
The ghost mascot, which serves as the fishing rod, is covered all over with fluttering fabric, but its base is a paper cup with a magnet hidden inside.
You use this to fish up the other mascots.
The target mascots are made by attaching items like colored twist ties that stick to the magnet.
How easily they get caught depends on how strongly they’re attracted to the magnet, so fine-tuning that is the key to balancing the gameplay.