[For Seniors] Recommended for older adults: enjoyable recreational activities
In this article, we introduce enjoyable recreation activities recommended for seniors.
You may want to freely enjoy using both body and mind.
Even so, many people end up thinking it’s impossible and give up.
Even for recreational activities that you might picture doing outdoors, with a bit of tweaking you can do them indoors.
We’ve also gathered activities that stimulate the brain and ones everyone can enjoy together.
Have fun while supporting functional recovery—use this as a reference!
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- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
- Recreation Activities Effective for Long-Term Care Prevention for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Easy to try. Fun, crowd-pleasing recreation
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
[For Seniors] Recommended for Older Adults: Enjoyable Recreational Activities (71–80)
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?
Enjoy Sports! Pictogram Cards
These are cards that use pictograms, familiar from labels of Olympic events.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell which event it is from the pictogram alone.
Let’s have players infer the event by looking at the pictogram’s silhouette.
On the back of each pictogram, include the event name and a clear illustration so players can check the correct answer.
You could also arrange the pictograms in the order of a program listing the event names, among other rules—there are many ways to enjoy these cards.
Passing a ball using towels
Let’s do a lively recreation activity using towels and a ball.
First, have the older adults sit facing each other, each holding a towel with a ball placed on top.
Since the ball rolls easily, adjusting balance is important.
Coordinate your movements with your partner and smoothly pass the ball onto the towel of the person next to you.
The suspense will keep everyone on edge—in the best way—so it’s sure to be a hit.
Because it’s a cooperative game where everyone works together to keep the ball moving, it will also help deepen relationships among the older participants.
Tower game
Here’s an idea for a tower game that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Stack paper cups to build a tower, and once it’s complete, place a ball on top.
You can challenge yourself to see how fast you can do it, or compete against another person for extra fun.
In this kind of tower game, it’s common for the tower to collapse if you rush.
Try to proceed with a bit of tension, wondering, “Will I knock it down?” That way, when you manage to do it quickly, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Team battles included! Let’s search for the letters together.
There’s also a word-hunting game everyone can work on together.
The idea is to search the facility for slips of paper with words on them and then rearrange them to form several new words.
That way, it’s exercise for the body as well as the mind.
It could get exciting as a solo challenge or a team competition.
In team mode, it can also be a good opportunity for participants to bond with each other.
If you have enough space, definitely give it a try.
By the way, aiming for around five words to create seems like a good balance—not too few and not too many.
Table hockey
Introducing table hockey, a game that’s a blast whether you’re playing with a small group or a larger one.
Since you play seated, anyone can join in.
Cover the table so the ball won’t fall off anywhere except from the two ends.
Make strikers out of cardboard, place the ball in the center of the table, and you’re ready to go! Play to five points—the winner is the one who sends the ball off the opponent’s end of the table.
It’s fun while also helping to build arm strength, reaction speed, and decision-making, so it can be used as an occupational therapy activity as well.
Give it a try!
disk hit
Let us introduce Disk Hit, a game you can enjoy using paper plates and paper cups.
Use empty milk or juice cartons as pins and throw paper plates like a flying disc.
Each person throws seven plates, and you compete by the number of pins you knock down.
It’s fun for individuals or groups, and it can be played either sitting or standing, so anyone can join.
Throwing paper plates engages everything from the shoulders to the fingertips, making it a functional exercise while you play.
It’s highly game-like and exciting, so it’s also recommended as a recreation activity for senior care facilities.