[For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
Even for older adults who find it difficult to move their bodies vigorously, they may find it easier to join in if the recreation can be enjoyed while seated.
In fact, there are plenty of games with simple rules that can really liven things up.
From activities using familiar materials to ones that include brain-training elements, we’ll introduce games that, with a bit of creativity, can bring smiles to everyone.
Using your hands and engaging your mind not only makes the activities fun, but also contributes to better health.
Doing them together with others fosters communication and can give life added meaning.
Please enjoy a fun time with easy, seated games.
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- For seniors: Enjoyable exercises done while seated, accessible for wheelchair users.
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Fun Even Without Sight! Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
Team Versus/Co-op Games (11–20)
Roll the ball game
The Roll-the-Ball Game is a simple, tabletop recreation you can enjoy easily.
You place a frame on the desk, put a ball inside it, and pull the ball using a string.
It’s played one-on-one, and because you can do it while seated, it’s easy on the body.
As you pull the ball, you wind the string around and around, which can help develop fine motor skills.
It’s also a bit thrilling, since you’re disqualified if the ball leaves the frame.
The key is to pull the ball without letting it slip out of the frame.
Thinking about how to pull the ball effectively can also help improve both mental and physical functions.
Easy to make! Ping-pong Ball Bingo
Bingo is usually something you enjoy on paper, but how about trying a more game-like version? Ping-Pong Ball Bingo is a tabletop bingo game using an egg carton and ping-pong balls.
To make the base, simply prepare four empty egg cartons, open them up, and staple the four together—done! To play, place the egg cartons in the middle of the table and bounce ping-pong balls on the table so they land in the cartons.
If you line up three or more balls of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, you win.
Split into teams by ball color and face off!
Sing and pass it around! Ball relay
Here’s an idea for a rhythm-based ball-passing game.
First, participants sit in a circle.
One person starts with a ball and passes it to the next person in time with the music; that person then passes it to the next, and so on like a relay.
When the music stops, the person holding the ball gets to step out (i.e., they’re “out” or “done”).
You can also adjust the game by adding more balls depending on the number of participants.
Since everyone sings along while playing, it also works as brain training, and listening to favorite songs helps boost motivation.
Team-based Competitive/Cooperative Games (21–30)
Tissue Toss
This is a game where you face each other with a tissue placed on top of your heads and use fans to try to blow the tissue off the other person’s head.
By firmly moving your wrist as you fan and facing your opponent so you can watch their expressions, it naturally encourages communication.
The sight of tissues perched on your heads is also comical, so you’ll likely see each other’s natural smiles and be able to keep the game fun.
If you focus too hard on the fan’s motion, your whole body may start moving with it, increasing the chance you’ll lose.
Be mindful of the size of your movements and keep them under control.
Balloon Volleyball Relay
It’s a game where you gently tap the balloon upward to pass it to the next person, linking passes all the way to the goal basket.
Passing sideways can be difficult, so it may be easier to place a helper in front and have players tap the balloon toward them.
If you chase balloons that fly off to the side, it might put strain on the body, so it’s also a good idea to attach a string to the balloon so you can easily bring it back into view.
Encourage players to focus on gauging the right amount of force to connect to the next person and on judging how to capture the balloon in each situation.
Balance and core training (1–10)
Core training while seated: chair workouts for abs and backNEW!
Core exercises you can do while seated let you strengthen your abdominal and back muscles comfortably to help maintain your walking ability.
Sit in a chair, cross both arms in front of your chest, and lean your upper body forward.
Then return to the starting position.
Next, tilt your body diagonally to the left and right toward your feet.
After that, sit shallowly on the chair, press your back against the backrest, and repeat returning to upright.
We’ll also introduce other simple yet effective moves, like tilting both arms to the sides, and twisting your torso while lifting your knees.
Core training that targets the lower abdomen
Do you know the iliopsoas muscle? It’s a muscle located from the lower back to the front of the thigh, and it’s an important deep core muscle for walking and maintaining posture.
If you don’t train this iliopsoas, your body may become hunched forward and it may become difficult to lift your legs, so please try these iliopsoas exercises.
For example, even in leg-raising exercises, if you focus on lifting your legs by engaging your abdomen rather than using your leg muscles, you can effectively train the iliopsoas.
