Fun Recreational Activities for Seniors Using Newspapers!
Newspapers—useful for making things, playing, and even in everyday life—are indispensable items for recreational activities in senior care facilities.
In this article, we introduce recreation ideas for older adults that use newspapers for fun.
We’ve gathered a wide variety: activities that use fine finger movements, those that engage the whole body, and others that encourage thinking and problem-solving.
There are options suitable for large groups and small groups alike, so feel free to adapt them to the number of participants and your event.
- [Enjoy Safely While Seated] Newspaper Activities Recommended for Seniors
- Simple materials [crafts using newspaper] for seniors
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Works as Rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] A roundup of games using disposable chopsticks: Chopstick activities that also support rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
[For Seniors] Introducing Fun Recreational Activities Using Newspapers! (11–20)
Character search
“Letter hunting,” where you find specific characters or words in a newspaper, is a simple and enjoyable recreation activity for older adults.
In this game, a prompt such as a hiragana, kanji, or word is announced, and participants search for it.
For example, if the prompt is the character “ま,” participants look for “ま” among the letters in the newspaper.
When they find one, they circle it.
“Letter hunting” is a game that requires concentration and attention, making it an effective form of recreation for stimulating the brain.
If you have older adults around you, why not give it a try?
Newspaper Rolling Speed Contest
All you need is newspaper! A fun and easy recreation we recommend is the Newspaper Speed-Rolling Contest.
Here’s how to play: first, use newspaper to make a container.
Then, on the signal, tear pieces of newspaper, roll them into balls, and put them into the container.
The person who rolls all their newspaper into balls the fastest wins.
The key point of this activity is using your hands and fingers to roll the paper.
In particular, the fingertips are rich in complex nerves and are sometimes called the “second brain.” Because of that, using your fingers is believed to help activate the brain.
It’s a lively game everyone can enjoy together!
Newspaper Tug-of-War
This is a newspaper tug-of-war, where newspapers are used as ropes.
Start by twisting sheets of newspaper to make your tug-of-war rope! How sturdy a rope you can create is the key to this event.
Sit in chairs facing your opponent, hook your rope onto your opponent’s rope, and pull.
The person whose rope breaks loses! It fully engages the fingers and arm strength, which may provide good stimulation for the brain.
Because it’s done seated, even older adults can enjoy tug-of-war safely.
If you’re looking for ideas for a sports day event, give this a try.
Newspaper Pull-Out Game
A game where you keep pulling out endlessly connected newspaper strips! Connect newspaper sheets into a long band, roll them up like a roll of toilet paper, and set them in a box.
Then, at the start signal, just pull the newspaper out from the box! Whoever pulls it all out first wins! It’s easy to prepare and can be played over and over, so running a tournament is also recommended.
To prevent the newspaper sheets from sticking together, make sure they are thoroughly dry before rolling them.
Ball Grabbing Game
Let’s play a game where you grab balls using newspaper.
All the tools used in the game are made from newspaper.
Make the balls by crumpling newspaper into a sphere, and make the grabbing sticks out of newspaper as well.
You can create everything you need for the game using everyday materials.
Place several balls inside a circle, grab them with the stick, and put them into a basket.
If you set a time limit, the game gets more exciting.
Forming teams and competing for the best time will make it even more fun.
Treasure Hunt Game
It’s a game where you search for a ball hidden inside a cardboard box filled with crumpled newspaper, pushing the paper aside as you go.
By focusing on the sensation of touching the ball and grabbing it, you train not only your vision but also your hand coordination and concentration.
Since you need to thoroughly explore the entire box to find the ball, it’s also a good opportunity to move your arms actively.
If you increase the variety of “treasures,” players may pay more attention to what their hands are touching.
[For Seniors] Introducing Fun Recreational Activities Using Newspapers! (21–30)
Newspaper Ring Relay
Let me introduce the “Newspaper Ring Relay,” where you pass around a ring made by rolling up a sheet of newspaper, relay-style! Because the newspaper ring is light, it’s easy to carry.
All you need is newspaper, and it can be played anywhere.
When passing the ring, you stretch your arms wide or pick up the newspaper if it falls.
These varied movements make it great for rehabilitation, too.
You’ll also need teamwork to pass the ring quickly.
It’s an effective game for communication as well.