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[Elderly Care Facilities] Let’s Have Fun Together! Exciting Sports Day Events

In senior facilities such as day-service centers, isn’t it common to hold sports days on a regular basis?

Along with everyday recreational activities, try incorporating events that feel like a traditional sports day!

In this article, we introduce familiar sports day events with ideas tailored to the physical and mental conditions of older adults.

Some ideas can even be enjoyed while seated, making them accessible to many seniors.

Use this article as a guide to create a sports day that everyone can enjoy together.

[Elderly Care Facilities] Let's Have Fun Together! Exciting Sports Day Events (141–150)

balloon volleyball

[Senior Activity] We tried a “balloon volleyball” game using balloons and fans at our day service activity, and it was a hit (lol). Think we can manage 100 volleys?
balloon volleyball

Balloon Volleyball is a game that treats a balloon like a volleyball.

Because the rules have you hit the balloon with a handheld fan (uchiwa), you can easily play even while sitting in a chair! Instead of following standard volleyball rules, you can also simply count how many consecutive rallies you can keep going, which can be really exciting.

You might enjoy playing as one united team with everyone working together, or competing in team matches.

The motion of hitting the balloon with an uchiwa uses the hands, wrists, fingers, and arms effectively, providing great stimulation for the brain as well!

Borrowed Item Race

Borrowed Goods Race Survival: Colorful Peach × Ink × Tama
Borrowed Item Race

The borrowing race is a classic event beloved at sports festivals.

It’s also an activity that everyone can enjoy together at sports days where older adults take center stage.

First, participants race toward a box filled with slips of paper.

If walking is difficult, adjust by shortening the distance or using a wheelchair.

Next, once they reach the goal together with the person or item written on the paper, the race is over.

In addition to individual races, team events that make use of teamwork among older adults are also a great option.

Why not give this event a try and fire up the cheers from the audience?

Ring Relay

Spring Sports Day 3: Ring Relay
Ring Relay

A big sports day at the facility—everyone can join in because it can be done while seated.

This is a relay where participants pass variously sized rings from one person to the next using chopsticks.

Once everyone is seated and holding a single chopstick, the event begins.

Larger rings are easy to pass smoothly, but as the rings get smaller, precise chopstick handling is required, and the handoff won’t go well unless you’re in sync with your neighbor.

Forming teams to race for speed makes it even more exciting and fun.

In conclusion

We’ve introduced events that can be enjoyed at sports days in senior care facilities.

It also seems like stories about your own childhood sports days, or memories from your children’s or grandchildren’s sports days, would make for lively conversations! Please combine events with care and attention so everyone can enjoy a fun and exciting sports day safely.