Lovely senior life

For Seniors: Exciting Tanabata Games You Can Enjoy Safely Indoors

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

Tanabata, which colors the summer night sky.

Seasonal events bring a touch of richness to our daily lives, don’t they? This time, we’re introducing Tanabata-themed games that you can enjoy together with older adults.

Activities inspired by the Milky Way, stars, and the Weaver Princess and Cowherd provide good stimulation by engaging the hands, naturally encouraging conversation and smiles.

These ideas are full of ways to participate safely while seated.

Please enjoy a heartwarming and delightful time.

[For Seniors] Exciting! Tanabata Games You Can Safely Enjoy Indoors (11–20)

Tanabata game

Today's Lesson ~Tanabata Game~

Tanabata game

There’s also the legend that on Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi, separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet just once a year.

Here’s a game inspired by the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Use a vinyl cord to create the Milky Way on the floor.

Players take the role of Hikoboshi and toss beanbags toward Orihime, who is placed at the end of the vinyl cord.

Place Orihime the farthest away; if a beanbag reaches her spot, the player gets the highest score.

You can make it even more exciting by setting up sections between the Milky Way and Orihime that award small points or result in a miss.

It’s a game that seems likely to foster interaction among participants, including older adults.

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Star Toss Game

Tanabata Festival at Nagomi-no-Sato Kabe Day Service Center, Asakita Ward, Hiroshima City

Since July 7 is Tanabata, a recommended activity for those looking for a Tanabata-themed recreation for seniors is the “Star Toss Game.” This game is a ring-toss style activity where players throw star-shaped paper pieces into a box or basket to compete for points.

Decorating the boxes adds a Tanabata feel.

It can be played while seated, making it easy for older adults to enjoy.

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Shooting Star Catch Game

Tanabata Festival Recreation & Homemade Jelly ★ Shitoro Assisted Living Facility

Shooting Star Catch Game

It’s a game where you compete to see how many shooting stars sliding down from the Milky Way you can catch.

You can probably make the Milky Way and the shooting stars yourself using cardboard, colored construction paper, origami paper, and raffia ribbon.

You can use any tool to catch the shooting stars, but if it has depth, the difficulty will be easier, while a flat tool will make it harder because the stars will fall off the edges.

Try making stars in various colors and sizes and have fun! It’s also a great idea to assign different points to each star and compete by total score!

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I’m coming to see you now – Tanabata Curling Game

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Translation Elderly Recreation Tanabata #2020 Hikoboshi-go Tanabata decorations Handmade
♬ Ishindenshin – ORANGE RANGE

Speaking of Tanabata, it’s the day when Orihime and Hikoboshi reunite—their romantic story really heightens the excitement for the event, doesn’t it? This is a game inspired by Hikoboshi making his way to Orihime, where you test how close you can get to the target from your starting position.

You roll a wheel-fitted piece forward from your spot, and the closer it stops to the target, the higher your score.

There’s also a key rule that going beyond a certain line is out, so judge carefully how much force to use as you play.

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In conclusion

Fun games that evoke Tanabata bring delightful moments where you can feel the changing seasons firsthand. If you join in with older adults—moving your fingers together and cheering—you’ll naturally see a lively circle of connection grow. Please enjoy this heartwarming recreation, as if watched over by the stars, with everyone together.