[For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups

Paper Cup Shooting Game

Recreation for Seniors: Guaranteed Hit! Paper Cup Shooting Game

Why not make a paper cup shooting game using everyday materials like paper cups and balloons? It’s great not only for older adults but also for families to enjoy with children! It’s very easy to make.

Cut out the bottom of a paper cup, trim the tied end of a balloon, fit it over the cup, and secure it firmly with vinyl tape.

Stack paper cups in a pyramid and use a ping-pong ball to knock them down and enjoy the game! Try using it for recreation or rehabilitation activities in senior care facilities.

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miyabi

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One-hook Fishing Game

Today's activity at Day Service Asumiru

This is a game where you use a newspaper shaped like a fish to do a bold, one-shot “catch.” If you don’t use your hands skillfully, you won’t catch the fish well, so it’s fairly challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun.

All you need is a stick and some newspaper, so it’s easy and quick to set up—that simplicity is part of the charm.

Interviewing the people who are fishing could make it even more exciting!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Newspaper scooping!

[Elderly Care] Senior Recreation: Newspaper Scoop!

The “goldfish scooping” game at festival stalls is so much fun.

Just watching others scoop can be exciting, right? I bet many people ended up keeping goldfish because of that game.

Here, we’d like to introduce a similar activity called “newspaper scooping.” First, cut newspaper into strips about 2–3 cm wide; making each strip about three times as long as its width makes them easier to scoop.

Next, prepare long chopsticks or stick-like tongs.

Using those sticks, scoop up the newspaper strips as a recreation activity.

It feels great when you can pick up a lot, so be sure to prepare plenty of newspaper!

Fingerplay “Tea Picking”

tea picking

Here’s an introduction to the hand play “Chatsumi” (Tea Picking).

I think most of you are familiar with this song! The choreography is simple—just clapping and a “ton-ton” tapping—but when everyone’s timing matches perfectly, it’s a lot of fun.

It’s a great recreation activity with a cheerful melody and moves you can enjoy while sitting in a chair.

Be sure to try it in a circle with everyone!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Surefire! Brain Training Exercises

[Congratulations on surpassing 400,000 views!] We’ll show you a surefire, exciting brain-training routine! [Preventive care]

A brain-training exercise that lots of seniors can do together! Exercising is more fun with everyone than doing it alone, right? And if it also trains your brain, even better! The movements are simple.

Using both hands, do the following in order: “open–close,” “open–close–open,” “open–close–open–scissors,” and “open–close–open–scissors–open hand.” After the fourth one, go back to “open–close.” The moves themselves are easy and can be done while seated, but as you keep going, your head starts to get mixed up—that’s the hallmark of this brain-training exercise.

That’s exactly why it’s such a great routine for older adults!

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SAKI

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Touch to the music

If, if, Mister Turtle, dear Mr. Turtle♪

This exercise has participants alternate between clapping and touching parts of their body in time with a song.

By giving the instruction for which body part to touch right before each move, you effectively activate the brain as it plans the next action.

If you direct them to touch areas farther from the clapping position, it can also help them focus more on full-body movement.

You can gradually increase the tempo of the music to encourage quicker physical responses, and by making the combinations more complex—such as using one hand versus both hands—you can further enhance the brain-training effect.

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kappamaki

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chorus

Haru Ichiban (Senior Chorus) Grandi Kimitsu

Back in our school days, we often had chances to sing together in choir competitions or music class.

While competitions were part and parcel of student life, adult choirs can simply be about singing songs you like with a big group—just that can be fun and exciting.

Even if you’re not confident in your singing, being part of a large group might make it easier.

You can assign parts like alto and soprano for a more formal performance, or just sing freely to refresh yourself—it’s enjoyable either way!

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sasashina

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