[For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
In this article, we introduce recreation activities you can enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At day service centers and other senior facilities, a variety of recreational activities are held every day.
However, during periods when COVID-19 and other infectious diseases are spreading, worries are never-ending.
So we’ve gathered activities that can be enjoyed while maintaining distance—such as those for small groups or done in turns.
What’s more, they can all be done while seated, making them enjoyable for wheelchair users and those who are unsteady standing.
You may also find that more people will casually join in, thinking, “If it’s something I can do while sitting, I’ll give it a try.”
Please use these ideas as a reference for your daily recreation programs.
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Enjoyment at Day Care: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities
[For Seniors] Enjoy Safely Even During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Seated Activities (51–60)
Towel ball toss
With the simple rules of “Towel Tamaire,” where you toss towels into a tub or bucket, even those who feel uneasy about recreational activities will be willing to give it a try.
Share tips as you go, such as “It flies farther if you roll it up,” or “It’s easier to throw from underneath.” Whether throwing while standing or seated, or adjusting the distance to the tub, observe the older adults’ conditions and choose methods that allow everyone present to enjoy the activity.
Old Maid
I’d like to introduce “Baba Mekuri,” a simple yet exciting game.
You shuffle and lay out the cards at random, then flip them over in turn; the player who flips a Joker first loses.
Using oversized playing cards instead of a standard deck can make the game run more smoothly.
You can also play with three or more players using the same rules, or even try a team format for extra fun.
By the way, you can buy oversized playing cards at 100-yen shops.
Patakara Card Game
This is a variation where you pronounce randomly arranged words, paying attention not only to pronunciation but also to the sequence of the words.
You proceed using cards that have words containing the letters from “patakara,” such as “papa” or “taka.” Players take turns placing a card on the table and pronouncing it, repeating the flow in order.
As the cards line up, the words to pronounce gradually get longer.
Keep a close eye on the card order and aim for smooth pronunciation.
Some sequences may be difficult to pronounce, so the challenge and strategy in those parts should make it even more engaging.
Marble Shoot
How about a nostalgic marble game? Set up a long table and build walls at both ends so the marbles don’t fall off.
Create a tunnel out of construction paper and place it at one end, then have participants roll marbles from the opposite side, aiming to send them through the tunnel.
You can vary the rules—specify the number of marbles, or see how many can pass through within a time limit—to keep things fun.
Along with trying a new twist on the game, it might spark conversations like, “This is how we played when we were kids.” Give it a try!
[For Seniors] Safe and enjoyable even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities (61–70)
Ping-Pong Ball Picking Game
A fun game you can easily enjoy at the table is the “Ping-Pong Ball Pick-Up Game.” Two people sit facing each other with a ping-pong ball placed in the center of the table.
The goal is to scoop up the ball with a spoon and carry it back to your own side.
Because ping-pong balls are light and spherical, they’re unstable on a spoon, so balance is key! This helps older adults develop their sense of balance and can also improve concentration.
Once everyone gets used to using the spoon, you can make it more challenging—and even more exciting—by switching to chopsticks.
Plastic Bottle Bowling
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bowling was hugely popular in Japan.
It’s said there were more than 3,500 bowling alleys nationwide, and bowling TV programs were very well received.
Let’s enjoy a bowling game that’s sure to spark nostalgic conversation.
Line up several plastic bottles on a table and have older adults roll a ball at them.
Since it’s a seated bowling activity, it’s suitable for people who have difficulty standing or who use wheelchairs.
With calls like “So close!” and “Strike!” the room is sure to take on a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Table game using a ball
How about a simple tabletop game for recreational activities where older adults can sit and play using a ball? All you need is a rubber ball and a table—its simplicity is part of the appeal! The basic idea is to keep a rally going by bouncing the ball, and although it’s simple, it’s surprisingly exciting.
Once everyone gets used to one ball, try using two! You can also enjoy it as a game of catch or split into teams of three-on-three.
It’s perfect for gentle physical activity for seniors, so give it a try!