[For older adults] Music recreation that helps boost mood and improve health
We’d like to introduce music-based recreational activities that can lift the spirits of older adults.
Listening to favorite songs or singing out loud can provide a change of pace and help relieve stress.
In this article, we present a variety of recreational ideas that use the music we encounter in everyday life.
Along with sing-alongs of children’s songs and simple exercises set to music, we’ve also gathered quiz-style activities that are fun like games.
If you’re planning music recreation for a senior facility or day service setting, please use these ideas as a reference.
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- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
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- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
[For Seniors] Music Recreation Activities (1–10) That Help Improve Mood and Health
Intro Quiz
The “intro quiz” you often see on Japanese variety shows is a game where the beginning of a song—the intro—plays, and contestants buzz in to name the song as fast as they can.
Preparing lots of song intros can be tough, but these days there are plenty of videos compiling intros by decade.
antiphonal singing
Antiphonal singing is a method of singing where two songs are used and sung alternately, one phrase at a time.
Because you link songs with different lyrics and rhythms, the voices don’t always line up, but even if you mess up, it’s a fun activity everyone can laugh about together! Children’s songs like “The Hare and the Tortoise” and “Urashima Taro” are recommended because they often have a relaxed tempo.
Nursery Rhyme Karuta
How about enjoying “Nursery Rhyme Karuta,” where the reading cards and grabbing cards are based on nursery rhyme lyrics? Instead of reading the cards aloud, they’re sung, since they’re nursery rhymes.
Grab the matching card and picture card for the song that’s sung.
Even if you don’t remember the traditional karuta readings, many people probably remember nursery rhymes, right? It’s great brain exercise, too.
[For Seniors] Music Recreation Activities That Help Improve Mood and Health (11–20)
Karaoke Contest
Let’s blow off some stress and get everyone fired up with a karaoke party! Each person can sing their favorite songs while the rest of us listen, throw in call-and-response chants, and keep the energy high—guaranteed fun! We might even end up fighting over who gets to sing which song.
Tambourines, maracas, and other noisemakers will make it even more exciting.
Full-body exercise ‘Hello, Mr. Turtle’
This is a recreation activity where you move your body by lifting your shoulders and marching in place while singing a familiar song.
Since it’s a tune everyone knows, even first-timers can sing together in a group and enjoy exercising.
You can do the routine alone, but it’s also nice to try it with a few people to share a sense of togetherness!
Seated Singing Exercise ‘Spring Has Come’
Song-gymnastics, which combines singing and exercise, can also be done while seated.
With choreography that matches the lyrics—like making flowers bloom or birds fly—you can do a variety of movements using just the upper body! You can also march your feet while seated, so encourage those who can to move their legs actively, and let everyone enjoy it at their own pace.
Fingerplay “Poppō”
This is a hand game that everyone can play in a circle.
You move both hands left and right to the rhythm and cross them at times.
There are occasional “poppo” calls and gestures, so the whole group can get excited together.
Since there’s a movement that uses the knees of the person next to you, it also encourages interaction among participants.