[For Seniors] Guaranteed to Liven Things Up! A Collection of Brain Training Activities That Will Spark Laughter
The time filled with laughter is a meaningful time that refreshes both mind and body, isn’t it? This time, we’re introducing word games and quizzes that you can enjoy together with seniors.
Try a game where you combine the names of Chinese dishes, a paired game where partners write the same answer, and a fill-in-the-blank quiz using Silver Senryu poems.
How about spending a fun time together that naturally brings smiles? Recreational activities like word games and quizzes stimulate the brain and can help prevent dementia.
They not only enrich the heart but also spark natural conversation, letting everyone enjoy a wonderful time together.
- [For Seniors] Lively Wordplay Game: Fun Recreation for Elderly Care
- [Brain Training] Lively Word Quiz for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Laugh-Out-Loud, Crowd-Pleasing! Fun Quiz
- For seniors: Fun, crowd-pleasing word association game ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Brain-Training Recreation
- [For Seniors] Fun and Lively! Recommended Quiz Questions
- [For Seniors] Fun Riddles That Stimulate the Brain
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- For seniors: Fun shiritori—enjoyable and easy to play
- Conversations Made Easy! A Collection of Topics That Elderly People Enjoy
- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
Fingerplay and exercises (1–10)
Brain training with Rock-Paper-Scissors on Mito Komon
Many older adults have probably watched the drama Mito Kōmon at least once, don’t you think? It’s about Mito Kōmon traveling around Japan, and the show’s theme song is famous too.
Using the theme song “Aa Jinsei ni Namida Ari,” let’s do a finger-play activity with the rock-paper-scissors motions.
Clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and pull it toward yourself, while making a hand (paper) with the other and extend it forward.
Another pattern is: clap your hands, make a fist (rock) with one hand and extend it forward, then use scissors to pull it back.
It might be easier for older adults to participate if it’s a song they already know.
Brain-training hand game drawing different shapes with each hand
In everyday life, we rarely make different movements with our left and right sides.
So when we do, the unfamiliar motions stimulate the brain and help activate it.
This time, try making a right triangle with the fingers of your right hand, and move the fingers of your left hand up and down.
It’s a simple motion, but surprisingly challenging.
Your right and left fingers might end up doing the same thing.
Still, by thinking through the movements, you activate your brain.
When you’re doing something you’re used to, the brain supposedly doesn’t get activated.
Hand Play and Exercises (11–20)
Sticky
Have you heard of a game called “Sticky”? You place three colors of sticks with different thicknesses inside a ring, roll a special die, and pull out a stick of the color that comes up.
The person who eventually knocks it over loses, and the others are ranked based on the points from the colors of the sticks they have pulled up to that point.
As turns progress, the number of sticks decreases, gradually upsetting the balance and making the latter half thrilling.
Beyond being a fun game, choosing which stick to pull and carefully extracting it can also serve as brain training.
Give it a try!
Beanbag Balance Game
We’re pleased to introduce “Beanbag Balance Challenge,” a balance-and-focus game for older adults that you can enjoy using everyday materials found at home.
Use packing tape and toilet paper rolls as pillars, and stack cardboard pieces of different sizes by level to build a tower.
The higher the level, the smaller the surface area—and the higher the points.
Participants remain seated and gently toss beanbags, competing to see which level they can land on.
You can freely adjust the difficulty simply by changing the number of beanbags or the throwing distance.
The thrill of aiming and landing a toss, mixed with the suspense of a potential collapse, makes for a recreation activity guaranteed to spark smiles and laughter.
Stick Stack
Introducing “Stick Staff,” a senior-friendly game that builds balance and concentration while having fun.
You can buy a commercial version, but a homemade one is just as enjoyable.
It’s easy to make: create a base from cardboard, stand a straw in the center, and fix a shallowly cut paper cup on top.
Players then take turns placing one straw or chopstick at a time.
The tension of moving your hand gently so the tower doesn’t collapse is irresistible.
If a straw falls or the base topples, that player loses—simple rules with big appeal.
It’s thrilling to watch, too! A quick, accessible indoor activity that’s engaging for both groups and individuals, with surprising depth.
A balance game using toilet paper rolls
Introducing a thrilling and laughter-filled recreation activity for seniors: the Toilet Paper Roll Balance Game.
First, randomly place toilet paper cores on a table and stack thick paper or cardboard on top to build a tower.
That’s when the real challenge begins! Take turns gently removing one roll at a time without toppling the rest.
Much like Jenga, it helps train fingertip control, decision-making, and concentration.
The rules are simple: whoever causes the collapse loses, so anyone can jump in right away.
It’s easy to prepare with everyday materials.
This safe, exciting game is perfect for homes and care facilities, letting participants enjoy it comfortably without overexertion.
Singing game of “Antagata Dokosa”
Some older adults may have memories of playing ball games to the temari song “Antagata Dokosa.” Here’s a finger play that matches the “Antagata Dokosa” song.
Make a gun shape and a fox shape with your fingers to match the imagery in the lyrics.
To the melody, alternate the finger shapes between left and right.
Once you get used to it, try speeding up the tempo.
In addition to moving your fingers, taking on tasks that feel “a bit difficult” is also said to activate the brain.