[May Health Topic] Introducing recreational activities for seniors!
May is a month full of seasonal events, such as Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.
The weather becomes milder and more comfortable, making it easier for older adults to stay active.
With that in mind, this time we’re introducing easy, enjoyable recreational activities for seniors.
By incorporating crafts and songs unique to May, you can create an atmosphere where participants feel the season while having fun.
Everything is simple to try, so please enjoy participating together with the older adults around you.
- [For Seniors] Enjoy May! Recommended Recreational Activities and Games
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for May: A Roundup of Ideas That Get Everyone Engaged
- [For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!
- [For Seniors] May Calendar Craft: Motifs that color May, such as Children's Day (Tango no Sekku), Mother's Day, and seasonal flowers
- [For Seniors] May-Themed Wall Decoration Ideas Full of Seasonal Flair
- [Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Cherry-Blossom Viewing! Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Enjoy May: A Collection of Seasonal Craft and Wall Decoration Ideas
- For Seniors: Snacks to Make in May That Capture the Season
- [For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas
- With upbeat rhythm routines! Music therapy for seniors
- [For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Mother's Day
[May Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors! (91–100)
Spot the differences themed for Cycling Day
May brings refreshing breezes—a perfect season for bike rides.
May 22 is designated as Cycling Day by the Japan Cycling Association.
Why not enjoy a recreation game where you look at an image filled with cycling-related illustrations and kanji and try to find the odd one out? By carefully examining the small drawings, you sharpen your concentration and powers of observation, and the kanji also give your memory a workout.
Set a time limit and enjoy the act of searching, even if you don’t find the answer!
Crayfish Exercise
Do you know what day May 12 is? It’s said to be “Crayfish Day,” because on that date in 1927, American crayfish were brought into Japan by traders.
While enjoying that little tidbit, why not get moving with a unique exercise called the Crayfish Workout? For your hands, make a “scissor” shape with your fingers, and for your legs, alternate left and right, moving them forward and back in big “scissor” motions.
Each movement is simple, so it’s easy to try.
Doing different movements with your hands and feet at the same time also makes for good brain training!
Boxing Day Calisthenics
The boxing-style exercise using plastic bottles is especially recommended on May 19, which is known as Boxing Day in Japan.
By the way, this is the day in 1952 when professional boxer Yoshio Shirai became the first Japanese world champion.
First, fill a 500 ml plastic bottle with an appropriate amount of water and hold one in each hand.
Then, thrust your arms forward powerfully like punches, alternating right and left.
Try setting a target—such as 30 punches per side for two sets—and give it a go.
The dynamic movements feel refreshing and can help relieve stress.
Animal Sounds Exercise
If you’re a dog lover, you might already know what day May 13 is.
Every year, May 13 is Dog Lovers’ Day.
So let’s try an exercise using dog and animal sounds.
On a whiteboard, write the names of animals like dog, cat, and pig, then say their sounds in order.
For example, for a dog say “woof,” for a cat say “meow,” and so on.
Converting from the animal’s name to its sound can make this a slightly challenging exercise.
But tasks that feel “a little difficult” stimulate the brain more than familiar ones.
Give it a try!
Spot the differences themed for Hyakunin Isshu Day
May 27 is said to be “Hyakunin Isshu Day,” commemorating the completion of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu by Fujiwara no Teika in 1235 (Bunreki 2).
How about a quiz where you look at an image filled with illustrations and kanji related to the Hyakunin Isshu and try to find the odd one out? There are lots of variations—like illustrations with swapped colors or ones facing a different direction—so even if it’s hard to spot, just searching is fun in itself.
It’s also a great recommendation as training to sharpen concentration and powers of observation.