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.
- [Care Facilities] Tanabata Activities Everyone Can Enjoy: Lively plans including decorations, Tanabata-themed games, and snack activities
- [For Seniors] Collection of Activities to Experience in July: Introducing Tanabata Games, Snack Recreations, Exercises, and Even Brain Training
- [For Seniors] Handmade Tanabata Decorations: Easy Recreation Activity
- [For Seniors] Tanabata Trivia Quiz: Simple and Fun
- Simple Crafts for the Elderly Recommended for Tanabata
- [For Seniors] Snacks to incorporate in July: A collection of recipes for Tanabata wagashi and chilled sweets
- [For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enhance the Tanabata Atmosphere: Ideas Compilation
- [Care Facility] A Summer Festival for Everyone: A Collection of Games That Seniors Can Enjoy Safely
- [For Seniors] July Wall Decorations: Lively and Fun Ideas for Tanabata, Wind Chimes, and Summer Festivals
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities Introduced
- [For Seniors] Handmade Game Ideas You Can Enjoy
- [For Seniors] Fun Activities for Enjoying June: Indoor Recreational Games That Liven Things Up
- [For Seniors] Recreations to Experience in August
[For Seniors] Exciting! Tanabata Games You Can Safely Enjoy Indoors (1–10)
Tanabata Race
This is a race where you load star pieces, representing the Milky Way, into paper boats.
Participants should split into two teams.
Sit facing each other across a table, and each person holds one scoop made from a milk carton.
When the game starts, a representative gently pulls the string attached to the boat.
As the boat passes in front of each participant, scoop up stars and put them into the boat.
Compete to see which team can load more stars onto their boat.
Scooping is trickier than it looks, so try to figure out how to scoop more quickly and efficiently.
Milky Way Game
The “Milky Way Game” is a game inspired by Tanabata, when Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet only once a year.
Stick star shapes on paper to create the Milky Way, and decorate paper cups to make Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Put a ball inside each paper cup, then have players take turns sliding-throwing them toward the Milky Way.
If both cups successfully stop on the Milky Way, you win.
If either one goes off the Milky Way, you lose—in other words, the two couldn’t meet.
It’s also recommended to play in pairs among participants.
Tanabata Ball Rolling Game
@seasoncafe.yokohama TranslationDay care (elderly day service)RecreationTanabataElderlyCaregivertranslationMilky Way#CardboardCrafts
♬ Moana: How Far I’ll Go: Main Theme – Geek Music
This is a game where you roll a ball along a course designed to look like the Milky Way, aiming for the goal.
Use the handles to tilt the course left, right, up, and down to move the ball forward.
Be careful where there are no edges, as the ball can fall off.
At the goal, Orihime and Hikoboshi are waiting with smiles.
Between them is an illustration of an embrace, and when the ball reaches the goal, that section closes to create the effect that Orihime and Hikoboshi are reunited.
The course is made of cardboard, and I think the handles can be recreated with materials from a 100-yen shop.
Tanabata Concentration
@user2230836748136 Tanabata recreationConcentrationCaregiving Artisan
♬ Chu,Tayousei. – ano
Perfect for brain training too! Let’s enjoy “Concentration” in a Tanabata version.
While playing Concentration with playing cards is common, this time we’ll make original cards using construction paper.
Cut the paper into star shapes and attach Tanabata-themed illustrations like Orihime, Hikoboshi, bamboo leaves, and the Milky Way.
If you’re playing with older adults, it’s a good idea to make the cards larger and add numbers to make them easier to remember.
It could also be fun to set a rule that anyone who finds Orihime and Hikoboshi consecutively wins and is out at that point.
Let’s defeat the aliens of the Milky Way
@hirose_ds TranslationElderlyRecreationTanabata 2020AliensFishingpaper cupColor matching
♬ RAINBOW – J SOUL BROTHERS III from EXILE TRIBE feat. Yellow Claw
Let’s fish up the aliens occupying the Milky Way so Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet! This is a paired challenge where you compete by the total number of aliens you reel in.
The aliens come in different colors, so choose a color and try to catch those.
Drawing lots to decide pairs might add some exciting suspense.
In the end, it would be great if you could fish up all the aliens and let Orihime and Hikoboshi cross the Milky Way.
Both the aliens and the fishing rods can be made from familiar items like paper cups, so please use this as a reference and have fun playing.
Hoshi Tobashi Game
@hirose_ds TranslationElderlyRecreationTanabata 2020Star skipping
Original Song – Nikko – please, stop the war
Compete for points by launching stars using a launcher made from disposable chopsticks and a plastic bottle cap.
Prepare star-shaped dishes where the stars will land—if a star lands in one, you score points.
It’s a good idea to assign different point values based on the color of the dishes.
The launcher is easy to use—just press and release with your finger—so anyone can enjoy it.
Feel free to play as individuals or in teams in various formats.
Placing a base under the launcher that evokes the Milky Way will make it feel more like a festive event.
Milky Way with magnets
@hirose_ds TranslationElderlyRecreationJulyTanabataEventMagnettranslation
♬ Pop Star – Ken Hirai
It’s a game where you throw star-themed balls onto a Milky Way that’s been placed on a whiteboard.
The balls are made by attaching finely cut vinyl tape to magnets.
Since magnets stick to the whiteboard, you only need magnets on the ball side.
Everyone, throw your stars and complete the Milky Way.
You can run it as a decoration-making game, or make it fun by awarding points based on the area where the ball lands.
Taking a group photo in front of the completed Milky Way will make for an even more wonderful memory.