[March Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors!
March is the season when we start to feel the arrival of spring little by little.
Fresh greenery and flowers begin to bloom bit by bit, making us want to go outside.
However, older adults who spent the winter indoors may feel a lack of exercise, find themselves unable to do things they used to, or in the worst case, experience falls.
This time, we’ve put together caregiving recreation ideas themed around March!
With events like Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) and graduation ceremonies, it can be a time of many farewells.
There are also exercises inspired by songs related to graduation!
Even if you’re worried about going outside all of a sudden, everything here can be done indoors, so please enjoy and give them a try!
- [For Seniors] March-Themed Event Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas
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- [For Seniors] Crafts to Make in March! Recommended Project Ideas
- [For Seniors] Core Training: Recommended Simple Rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] Spring Haiku. Spring Activity
- [For Seniors] Introducing Whiteboard Activities That Liven Up Spring!
- For Seniors: Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in April
- [For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements
- [For Seniors] Spring Songs You'll Want to Hum: Feel the Season with Nostalgic Classics
- [Elderly] Feel the Arrival of Spring with Snack Activities! Recommended Menus for March
- [For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup
[March Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors! (61–70)
A game where you make parody versions of the song Tulips
This activity involves taking the lyrics of Tulips, a classic spring children’s song, dividing them into blocks by character count, and then changing the words in each block.
Which part each person is responsible for is determined by a game using a target marked with numbers, and from there, participants come up with words that match the specified character count.
As long as the number matches, any words are acceptable; however, if you have everyone think of words with a spring theme, it should help them focus more deeply on the language.
Once all the blocks are filled, everyone sings the new lyrics together and checks whether the sound and flow feel pleasant.
Gift-stuffing game
This is a game where players compete to see how many presents they can stuff into their own bag within a time limit, taking them from a table.
When pushing the presents in, they should use force while still being careful not to tear the bag—encouraging awareness of strength control.
To keep players from focusing only on the simple act of stuffing, it’s recommended to make the presents colorful so the visuals are enjoyable too.
If you randomize the sizes and shapes of the presents, you can also add an element of judgment in choosing which ones to put in the bag.
Plastic Bottle Bowling
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bowling was hugely popular in Japan.
It’s said there were more than 3,500 bowling alleys nationwide, and bowling TV programs were very well received.
Let’s enjoy a bowling game that’s sure to spark nostalgic conversation.
Line up several plastic bottles on a table and have older adults roll a ball at them.
Since it’s a seated bowling activity, it’s suitable for people who have difficulty standing or who use wheelchairs.
With calls like “So close!” and “Strike!” the room is sure to take on a warm, friendly atmosphere.
ball rec
Recreational activities that use soft, lightweight balls are recommended for older adults.
Throwing and catching the ball engages various physical and sensory abilities such as muscle strength, grip strength, and dynamic visual acuity.
Simply touching a ball that can roll or be squeezed is also enjoyable for its tactile feel.
This is said to have beneficial effects on the brain as well.
There are ball-based activities that can be done while seated in a chair, making them accessible to many seniors.
Have the participants sit in a circle and pass the ball forward and backward.
If someone can stand steadily, have them walk to the side and hand the ball to the person next to them.
This helps improve core balance.
Ball-Picking Game
When April comes, the weather becomes mild and there are more pleasantly warm days, don’t you think? It’s also a time when it’s easier to move your body, so why not have some fun with a simple game? Here’s a ball-collecting game that uses lots of balls.
Roll many balls across a table toward older adults seated in chairs.
The seated participants holding containers will pick up the balls as they roll toward them.
Since it can be done while seated, it’s accessible for those who have difficulty standing or for older adults who use wheelchairs.
magic hand grab
Here’s a “magic hand grab” activity that you can arrange in many different ways.
In this version, you use a grabber tool to collect paper cups lined up on a table.
Because it engages both the head and the hands, it can help stimulate the brain.
Another key point is that you can enjoy this activity in connection with the seasons.
For example, in spring you could draw cherry blossoms on the cups, and in summer you could draw seashells.
Doing so can make it easier to regain a sense of time.
There seem to be many possible variations.
Animal sound brain training
It’s a game where you read the written name of an animal, think about which sound that animal makes, and answer.
It tests your ability to connect memories—how quickly you can imagine the sound from the animal’s name.
Start by checking which animal makes which sound, then move on to the letter chart.
Because you can reach the answer by thinking carefully, it’s also important to be mindful of speed.
The process of thinking from the written word and then saying it aloud helps activate the brain.