[For Seniors] Recommended for older adults: enjoyable recreational activities

Brain training with gojūon (Japanese syllabary) cards

[Fun Recreation] Brain Training with Japanese Syllabary Cards! Directly from Kenichi Yamaguchi!

As we age, it seems we may sometimes forget words.

So let’s use a set of kana cards to stimulate the brain.

First, arrange the cards in order starting from the A-row together with the older adult.

The act of arranging itself is said to help activate the brain.

Use the cards to form words—the more letters a word has, the higher the points.

Additionally, once a card has been used to make a word, it cannot be used again.

Treat voiced and semi-voiced marks (dakuten and handakuten) as a single card and make them count for points as well.

If someone can’t think of a word, it’s helpful for those around to offer hints like, “Let’s think of a word that starts with A.”

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Nakajima Junko

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Shiritori Card Game

Shiritori Card Game

Haven’t many older adults played shiritori at least once? Here’s a familiar shiritori-style card game for seniors.

Prepare cards with each of the 50 Japanese syllables written on them, and deal five cards to each player.

Place the remaining cards in the center and draw one card to start.

Think of a word that begins with the syllable of the drawn card, so that the last letter of your chosen word matches one of the cards in your hand.

Adding a rule like “use three-letter words” makes it even more fun and can help stimulate the brain.

The first person to use up all their cards wins.

Let’s all enjoy thinking of words together while we play.

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Nakajima Junko

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Capsule Korokoro

This gets everyone super hyped ⬆️ The capsule rolls around~ 🤣 #seniorActivities #brainTraining #miniGame #shorts #dayService

You’ve probably seen capsule toy machines filled with toys and merchandise at arcades or supermarkets.

Let’s use those round capsules to play a lively game.

Attach a stick to an empty tissue box and use it to roll a capsule across a table.

The goal is to land the capsule in a target without letting it fall off the table.

To make the game even more fun, create gaps between the targets.

Placing the capsule without dropping it into the gaps is a great way for older adults to show their skill.

Cheering on the players and calling out to them can spark interaction with the people around them, too.

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Nakajima Junko

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Free Throw Game

Recreation for Seniors: A Sure-Fire Hit! A Seated Free-Throw Game Anyone Can Enjoy

It’s a game where you throw balls toward baskets that have assigned point values and compete on the total score.

The higher the point value of a basket, the harder it is to land a ball in it, so controlling your throwing power is key to getting a high score.

Since the rules allow a ball to bounce before going in, unexpected points can happen, and awkward bounces that miss the basket can also add excitement.

Let’s encourage players to focus on controlling the force needed to reach the basket and on moving their bodies in ways that effectively transfer that force to the ball.

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kappamaki

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Quick and easy! Whiteboard Bingo

Quick Rec! Whiteboard Rec! Brain training for seniors and kids! O/X Bingo

How about trying Whiteboard Bingo, a game you can enjoy if you have a whiteboard? Preparation is simple: draw lines on the whiteboard to create a grid.

Draw lines so that it becomes 5 squares by 5 squares.

The rules are that players are split into O and X and take turns marking the grid.

The first person to place four of the same mark in a row—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—wins.

It’s a game that gives your brain a real workout, as you aim to block your opponent from lining up their marks while also creating your own line of four, making it perfect for mental exercise.

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utatane

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Pull-and-Find Treasure Hunt Game

Pulling Treasure Hunt Game #recreation #day service #Balm

It’s a treasure-hunt game where you pull a basket or box filled with various items using a string or similar, and search inside for the target item.

Because it simultaneously trains different abilities—arm strength for pulling the string, listening skills to accurately catch the prompt, and eyesight to find the presented item—it’s highly recommended as a recreational activity for older adults.

If you make it competitive, it also requires quick reaction, which can boost abilities while having fun—another big advantage.

Of course, young children can gain the same benefits, so give it a try!

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Hoshino Takashi

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Tower game

I tried the paper cup 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.

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yamamoto

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