[For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
In this article, we introduce super exciting team-based recreational activities for older adults!
They might bring back nostalgic memories of your school sports days.
As the games progress, things can really heat up and turn into a thrilling competition!
Some activities can be done while seated or started with simple tools, so feel free to use these as a reference.
Making it a team competition might also be a chance to get friendly with people you don’t usually talk to.
We hope everyone has a great time together!
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[For Seniors] Exciting Team Competition Recreations (71–80)
Ball fishing game
Let me introduce a game that lets you practice fine motor skills while having fun.
It’s a game where you use a stick to pick up rubber balls.
The tip of the stick is fitted with the sticky side of tape, so the rubber balls attach to it.
It gets even more exciting as a two-player competitive game for older adults.
You’ll grip the stick and move your arms and hands a lot.
The person who picks up more balls than their opponent wins.
It can be played while seated, and with a bit of ingenuity, people who have difficulty moving their bodies freely can also participate.
Please use this as a reference and enjoy a fun time.
Mountain Cup
Some of you may have played golf back when you were working at a company.
Let us introduce the Mountain Cup, an activity that can bring back those memories.
As the name suggests, the course is shaped like a mountain.
Place a basket in the center, and lay plastic or cardboard boards—on which a ball can roll—over the top.
Make a hole in the center of the board, and roll the ball as you would in golf to get it into the central hole.
It’s easier to enjoy indoors than ground golf or gateball.
It’s likely to be fun for many older adults.
Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors
It’s sure to be an exciting match! Try the Newspaper Janken challenge! Have two older adults sit facing each other.
Place a long, narrow strip of newspaper on the table, then play rock-paper-scissors.
The winner tries to grab the newspaper, while the loser must hold it down so it can’t be taken.
By the way, if the newspaper tears, you lose.
It’s a brain-engaging activity where you play janken, instantly recognize the outcome, and act immediately.
Recreations that use both mind and body stimulate the brain and can help prevent dementia.
Enjoy a fun time laughing together with other participants.
Newspaper Pull-Out Game
Here’s a game you can enjoy using old newspapers.
All you need are newspapers, a basket, and some tape.
Open the newspaper, cut it in half, and tape the pieces together lengthwise to make a long strip.
You can add more later, so adjust the length according to the participants’ condition and ability.
Roll the long newspaper strip into a cylinder, place it in the basket, and you’re ready to go.
When the game starts, use your hands to wind it up as fast as you can—whoever finishes first wins.
It’s simple, fun to watch, and great for large groups.
Because it also trains upper-limb function while playing, it’s recommended as a recreation activity in senior care facilities.
Balloon volleyball with newspaper-stick bats
Balloon volleyball played using rolled-up newspaper sticks lets you reach farther with the tool, while also challenging more delicate control of force.
It’s also important to treat the table like a volleyball court: set up a proper net in the middle so you can enjoy the volleyball atmosphere.
The higher the net, the more it encourages players to hit the balloon upward, which naturally directs their gaze up and can help improve posture.
Rather than focusing on winning, encouraging players to keep the rally going will likely help them enjoy it for longer.
Ball Grabbing Game
Let’s play a game where you grab balls using newspaper.
All the tools used in the game are made from newspaper.
Make the balls by crumpling newspaper into a sphere, and make the grabbing sticks out of newspaper as well.
You can create everything you need for the game using everyday materials.
Place several balls inside a circle, grab them with the stick, and put them into a basket.
If you set a time limit, the game gets more exciting.
Forming teams and competing for the best time will make it even more fun.
Paper cup drop
Here’s a game using paper cups.
Line up the paper cups in a row.
Use the lined-up cups as targets and have older adults throw a ball at them from a short distance away.
Depending on where you set up the cups, the goal is to throw the ball so that the cups tip over or fall to the floor.
Even if they don’t hit the cups perfectly, it’s likely to spark laughter and provide a nice change of pace.
It can also encourage conversation with others and help expand social interaction among older adults.
Paper cups are sold at 100-yen shops, so preparation is easy.