[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] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [Elderly Day Service] Let’s all have fun! Games and recreational activities
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[For Seniors] Easy and Fun Seated Activities You Can Do in Your Room (21–30)
Beach ball soccer basket toss
It’s a simple game like a beanbag toss using a beach ball.
Participants sit in a circle with a basket placed in the center.
A beach ball is put into play, and the goal is to kick the ball with your feet and get it into the basket.
A key rule is that, even though everyone is seated, you may only use your feet, much like in soccer.
Because you skillfully move the lower part of your legs, you can enjoy the game while also exercising knees that tend to get less active.
Using a lightweight beach ball is also important, making it a game that’s easy to enjoy without needing much force.
Maki-Maki Game
Tie a string to a plastic wrap core, and attach a box to the other end of the string.
Place mascots like balls or stuffed toys in the box.
At the start signal, wind the wrap core to reel in the box.
Do it as a head-to-head match: the person who reels in the box quickly and gets the contents first wins.
It’s a game that trains the wrists and fingers through the special motion of winding.
If you compete on reeling speed, it strengthens hand power; if you set the rule to reel without dropping items from the tray, it should train delicate fingertip control.
Spot the difference
Spot-the-difference is a simple game where you compare pictures on the left and right to find parts that are different.
For an easy version, you can divide the paper into left and right sections and draw patterns row by row.
In one of the pictures, include one difference per row, which makes it easy to create a task where players find those mistakes.
When making problems by hand, it can be hard to draw two pictures exactly the same, so it’s best to choose clear, intentional differences in the drawings.
It’s a game that trains concentration by comparing the two pictures and identifying the differences.
Ready, set! Game
It’s a simple game you can enjoy using only your hands and feet, without any equipment.
Players take turns calling a signal and a number; at the signal, everyone raises any number of hands and feet they like.
If the total number raised matches the announced number, the person who gave the signal wins.
Since the maximum one person can raise is four (both hands and both feet), announce your number while predicting how many your opponents will raise.
Because the game focuses on prediction and bluffing, it also has the added benefit of unconsciously training your hands and feet.
ring toss
Ring toss is a classic game often seen at festival stalls.
It has a nostalgic feel and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Players sit in a designated spot, and targets like plastic bottles are lined up some distance away.
The rules are simple: just throw rings toward the targets.
Typically, targets farther away are assigned higher point values.
Since the goal is to loop the ring over the target, players use their whole body to make a smooth, gentle throwing motion, which can also help strengthen the upper body.
Another key point is that you can adjust the difficulty to suit participants by changing the distance, or by varying the size of the rings and targets.
Dementia Prevention Drill
As we get older, dementia is something that starts to worry us—“Could it be my turn soon…?” Forgetting things from just a few minutes ago, being unable to do simple calculations… Once symptoms appear, it’s a disease that’s difficult to fully cure.
That’s why I’d like to introduce this ‘Dementia Prevention Drill.’ Data suggests that improving the brain’s ability to process information seen by the eyes can make you less likely to develop dementia.
This book focuses on exactly that.
It’s said that just looking at it for three minutes a day can help with prevention, so why not try incorporating it as a way to pass the time?
balloon volleyball
By playing volleyball with a balloon, you can enjoy rallying safely and at a relaxed pace.
The idea is to hit up the balloon as it falls toward you and work with the people around you to keep the rally going so it doesn’t touch the ground.
If you’re playing while seated, your reach will be limited, so it’s a good idea to attach a string to the balloon so others can bring it back within range.
Because the game involves actions like twisting your body and looking upward, it can help you regulate your breathing while also providing a bit of physical exercise.