[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!
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- [For Seniors] May Calendar Craft: Fun and Easy
- [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! (1–10)
The movements of rice planting
Are you familiar with Rikka, the beginning of summer that usually arrives around May 5 each year? It marks the start of the season and, depending on the region, is the time for rice planting and sowing seeds.
In that spirit, here’s a recreation activity themed around May’s Rikka.
Cut newspaper into long, thin strips to represent rice seedlings, and insert them into the mouth of a plastic bottle as if you were planting rice.
Recalling rice planting and using your fingertips stimulates the brain and can help prevent cognitive decline.
Because it involves fine finger movements, it’s also great finger training.
You can liven it up by taking the newspaper back out of the bottle or turning it into a race.
Of course, it’s also enjoyable to time yourself and focus on the challenge solo.
It requires very few materials, so please give it a try!
Exercises to the Tea-Picking Song
Around May 2, which falls on the 88th day after the first day of spring in the traditional calendar, is Tea Picking Day.
Let’s try a seated exercise themed for Tea Picking Day.
We’ll move our bodies while singing the children’s song “Chatsumi” (“Tea Picking”).
Doing the song and the exercises at the same time provides greater stimulation to the brain and helps activate it.
A key point is that many of the movements match the lyrics of “Chatsumi.” Exercises set to a familiar song should be easier for older adults to participate in.
Tea leaves picked around the start of tea harvesting, around May 2, are said to be of very high quality.
It’s also said that drinking tea made from leaves harvested during this period promotes longevity.
Try enjoying these fun facts as you exercise!
Gymnastics with the Koinobori song
Carp streamers swimming in the fresh sky.
Let’s move our bodies with the image of koinobori, a May seasonal tradition.
This is an exercise done to the children’s song “Koinobori,” and it can be done while seated, making it easy for older adults to participate.
Once you get used to it, you can raise the difficulty a bit by singing while exercising.
Doing the song and the movements at the same time further stimulates the brain and helps prevent dementia.
Many seniors are familiar with the song “Koinobori,” so using a well-known tune makes it easier to try.
Because the lyrics are easy to visualize, it can also help spark memories, such as recalling times when they saw koinobori.
It’s a recommended exercise for May.
[May Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors! (11–20)
Makimaki Apple Game
As a recreational activity for seniors, we propose the “Maki-Maki Apple Game”! First, place paper apple motifs on construction paper and attach them.
Set them a short distance away, connect a clear tape between a stick and the paper apple, then wind the tape by turning the stick to reel the apple toward you.
Competing with several people should make it very exciting! By starting from the crafting step, participants can experience both making and doing.
Please give it a try together and have fun!
Ring Valley Game
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♪ Original Song – The Cheerful Section Chief’s Recreation – The Cheerful Section Chief’s Recreation
This is a game where you keep a balloon volleyball rally going while also keeping track of how many times you can send the balloon through a ring installed above.
By adding an extra element to the rally, players can focus more on the game, and aiming to hit the balloon upward can also help improve posture.
Quick decisions are important too—such as whether you should be the one to put the balloon through the ring or hit it to a spot that makes it easier for someone else to do so.
Splitting into teams and taking on the challenge together may also be a key point for boosting fun, as it helps teammates feel a stronger bond.
Shoo Away Game
Let’s play a fun game using balls made from crumpled paper.
It’s called the “Shoo-It-Away Game.” Crumple paper or newspaper into balls and line them up horizontally in the center of the table.
Beforehand, put a strip of tape down the middle of the table to mark a line.
The tape divides the table into your side and your opponent’s side.
When the game starts, use your hands to push the balls into your opponent’s territory on the opposite side.
The rules are simple, but it’s sure to be exciting.
It also encourages conversation among participants and can help promote communication for older adults.
Strikeout
Strikeout is a game where you throw a ball at targets labeled with numbers.
In addition to being expected to help with arm exercise, strikeout is also said to strengthen the core.
By training your core, your body’s balance becomes more stable, which can help prevent falls.
It’s a game where you knock down numbered targets, so you can have fun while getting a workout.
Since it’s a lively game that many people can enjoy together, it would be great to include it in an April cherry-blossom viewing recreation.
How about making the targets not with numbers, but with illustrations or photos related to cherry-blossom viewing?