[For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
Introducing fun seated recreational activities for older adults!
Even when you want to do exercises in nursing homes or day service centers, activities that are too intense or put strain on the legs and back can increase the risk of falls.
The activities we’re introducing this time are recommended because everyone can enjoy them while staying seated.
From exercises that move only the hands to games that engage the entire upper body, choose whatever looks fun from the many options available.
They’re even more exciting if you make them team competitions!
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- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
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- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
[For Seniors] Easy and Fun In-Room Activities♪ Enjoyable Seated Recreations (141–150)
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.
Tennis Ball Catch
Playing catch with a tennis ball is especially recommended for older adults, as it helps train explosiveness and dynamic visual acuity.
Paying attention to the force and speed so your partner can catch it, as well as the sense of distance between you, benefits both body and mind, making it perfect for daily recreation.
When you’re not yet used to it, the ball may not go exactly where you intend, but since the ball itself is soft, there’s little risk of injury, which is reassuring.
It’s a game that lets you train while having fun as a recreational activity and also serves as a form of communication.
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.
Flappy Paper Cup Sumo Game
Many people probably feel nostalgic about games related to sumo, like Tonton Sumo.
Here’s one to try: the Flappy Paper Cup Sumo Game.
First, set up a table and draw a line down the middle to make a ring.
Place a paper cup in the center, then have two players fan from left and right using uchiwa fans.
The rule is simple: if the paper cup falls off on your opponent’s side, you lose.
Sometimes the cup may fall off the side of the table—when that happens, reset and rematch.
It would likely be exciting to run it as a tournament, too!
Balloon-carrying game with vinyl tape
People probably imagine each person making a balloon float on their own, but adding a cooperative element could make it even more exciting.
In this version, pairs face each other and each holds an end of a strip of vinyl tape, pulling against one another and moving it to keep the balloon aloft.
You could aim to keep the balloon floating for as long as possible, or turn it into a game where you transport the balloon to a goal.
It’s a game that engages both body and mind: coordinating the pair’s movements while skillfully keeping the balloon in the air.
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!
Pikagororek
The “Pika-Goro Rec” game: after the cue that follows “Pika-pika ~ Goro-goro ~,” which is “Dokan!”, the player with the finger inside quickly pulls it out! Pair up in twos.
One person makes a tube with their hand, and the other inserts their index finger into the tube.
At the shout of “Dokan!”, the person making the tube tries to grab, while the person with the finger tries to pull it out before getting caught.
If you pause before the cue or slip in different words to fake people out, it gets even more exciting! Once you get used to it, try playing in a circle with three or more people: make a tube with one hand, raise your index finger with the other, and insert your finger into the neighboring person’s hand-tube.