[Even During Hospital Stays] Time-Killing Items You’d Want to Gift to Seniors
There are probably quite a few people who are wondering what to give their parents, grandparents, or other older relatives—something they can enjoy during little pockets of free time or to pass the time.
This article is a must-read for those people: we introduce fun, playable items that make perfect time-killers to give to seniors.
Try using these ideas for passing the time at home or for finding something enjoyable during a hospital stay.
We also recommend combining a few items into a gift set!
- Enjoy a Comfortable Hospital Stay! Fun Pastime Activities Recommended for Seniors
- [For Seniors] 100-yen gifts you’ll want to give: Ideas that are sure to please
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Your Alone Time: Perfect Ideas for Passing the Time
- For seniors: Recommended for day services. Hands-on activities that help prevent dementia.
- [For Seniors] Brain-training puzzle game you can enjoy solo! Perfect pastime for killing time
- [For Seniors] Recommended Birthday Gifts for Those Living in Care Facilities
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Great for Brain Training! Enjoy Handmade Puzzles
- [For Seniors] What's in the Box? A Collection of Exciting Content Ideas
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- Gift ideas for seniors: presents for parents, grandparents, and friends.
[Even During Hospital Stay] Pastime Gifts for Seniors (1–10)
Jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles make a truly wonderful way to pass the time.
They steadily boost your concentration and give your brain a good workout.
Fitting the pieces together one by one is calming and helps you relax.
The sense of accomplishment when you finish is outstanding! If you hang it on the wall, it becomes a lovely memory, too.
You can choose the difficulty and the picture, so it’s easy to enjoy according to your taste.
Taking your time with it is great, and tackling one with family or friends is fun as well.
You’re sure to spend a heartwarming, fulfilling time!
Punch needle kit
Do you know about punch needle? It’s a craft where you use a needle threaded with yarn to stitch onto fabric as if you’re drawing an illustration.
You can even buy the needle, yarn, and embroidery hoop at 100-yen shops.
It’s easy to make: set the fabric in the hoop and insert the needle threaded with yarn.
It’s helpful to draw the illustration you want to stitch on the fabric beforehand.
Pressing the needle into the fabric takes a bit of force, so it can also strengthen your fingertips.
Try using threads in various colors to create something lovely.
Spot the difference
For older adults, spot-the-difference puzzles are one of the easiest activities to try.
Many seniors in the hospital may feel bored with nothing in particular to do.
In such times, giving them a spot-the-difference puzzle will likely be appreciated.
These puzzles are easy to do even when it’s hard to move the body during a hospital stay.
They’re also perfect for brain training, as they help build memory, observation, and concentration.
Focusing on something can refresh both mind and body, so it should also help reduce the stress of being hospitalized!
[Even While Hospitalized] Pastime Items for Seniors You’ll Want to Gift (11–20)
Kokedama Kit
In this video, we introduce a kokedama (moss ball) kit.
Making a kokedama from scratch—like forming the soil ball—can take quite a bit of time and effort.
But with this kit, you can make one easily! The kit includes moss, soil mix for kokedama, cotton thread, work gloves, and instructions.
You’ll also need a spray bottle, scissors, tweezers, a bucket filled with water, and a plant of your choice.
You can buy these at a 100-yen shop.
Generously mist the moss with water, and remove the soil from the plant’s roots.
Next, attach the included soil mix and shape it into a sphere.
Then firmly attach the moss around it and secure it with thread—that’s it.
Place it in a bright spot indoors, or in the shade if kept outdoors.
Fruit cube
How about a fruit-shaped Rubik’s Cube? In this video, it explains how to solve the apple-shaped Rubik’s Cube from among three fruit designs.
Although it looks like an apple, it’s solved the same way as a standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube.
The key is to restore it to a smooth, seamless state without any steps.
It looks so cute that you can’t help but get excited watching it come together.
Its eye-catching look also makes it a great gift and a stylish interior piece!
Leather craft kit
Here’s a leathercraft activity that’s perfect for passing the time when you’re in the hospital or have some free time.
This is a book cover kit that comes with all the materials you need, including needles, thread, and leather.
Fold the leather into the shape of a cover and sew it with the needle and thread.
To finish it off neatly, singe the end of the thread with a lighter.
It’s a simple task that just involves sewing, but it helps improve concentration and is great for dementia prevention.
You’ll end up with a stylish, luxurious book cover.
Embroidery kit
Here’s an embroidery kit introduction.
You can actually buy this embroidery kit at the 100-yen shop Seria.
The kit only includes an instruction sheet and a piece of fabric with the pattern printed on it, so be sure to also purchase an embroidery hoop, embroidery floss, and embroidery needles! You can get those at the 100-yen shop as well.
If you’re a beginner, watch the video and stitch along little by little.
There’s a reference pattern provided, but it’s also fun to add your own touches.
Choosing your favorite thread colors adds originality and looks lovely.
Embroidery involves fine handwork, so it’s great for stimulating the fingers and brain, especially for older adults.