[For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
February still brings lingering cold, but let’s hold events and get through it together with smiles and fun! When it comes to events that liven up February, the classics are Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.
There’s also Cat Day, Mount Fuji Day, and Kabuki Day.
Recreational activities that let you enjoy seasonal traditions with seniors create special moments that warm both heart and body.
From bean-throwing and heart-themed games to exercises full of seasonal flavor, we’ll introduce ideas packed with February-specific touches.
Move your mind and body, and enjoy a time filled with smiles.
- Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
- For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- [For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring
- [For seniors] A handmade calendar you’ll want to make in February
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Valentine’s Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [Day Service] Setsubun decorations that bring smiles. Ideas for enjoying them with a variety of materials.
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using a Variety of Materials
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack Making
[For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas That Bring Out Everyone’s Smiles (11–20)
Valentine’s Gift Exchange Tournament
When it comes to February events, Valentine’s Day is the first that comes to mind.
Let’s exchange gifts with the people close to us to show our appreciation.
The rules are very simple: when you hear the handclap, pass your gift to the person next to you in the opposite direction.
During the chorus, raise the hand holding the gift and sway both hands as you dance.
When the music stops, you succeed in the game if you keep the gift you’re holding.
A slow song that everyone knows is recommended.
It might also be easier to prepare if you set a uniform budget for the gifts in advance.
Let’s gather love!
This is a game where you sit on a chair inside a ring and use a broom and dustpan to gather balls that are rolling around.
There are three types of balls—colored balls, tennis balls, and ping-pong balls—and once collected, you put each type into its designated basket.
Compete to see how many you can gather within the time limit.
You’ll need to be careful not to put the balls into the wrong baskets, so it’s a game that uses your head, too.
Try treating the balls as symbols of love and play it on Valentine’s Day.
You can easily make the ring by connecting pool noodles.
Making Valentine’s chocolates
February means Valentine’s Day! How about enjoying some Valentine’s chocolate making with an easy recipe? Arrange chocolate bars of different colors on a sheet of parchment paper and warm them in the microwave.
Give them a gentle swirl with a toothpick to create a beautiful marbled pattern.
Then simply decorate the top with store-bought cookies and chocolates however you like.
Once it’s chilled and set, break it up casually like chocolate bark and pop the pieces into cute gift bags.
You can create impressive homemade chocolates without any complicated steps, so give it a try!
Ehomaki Rolling Game
The custom of eating a whole sushi roll called ehomaki in silence while facing the year’s lucky direction on Setsubun is said to have become a nationwide trend since the 2000s.
Around Setsubun, various types of ehomaki are sold to wish for good luck in the coming year, but for older adults, finishing one in a single go can be difficult and even dangerous.
So why not try making your own ehomaki by rolling seaweed and fillings using materials sold at 100-yen shops? It’s easy to make, provides finger dexterity training, and is a safe activity—highly recommended.
Making ehomaki (lucky direction sushi rolls)
Ehomaki are said to bring good fortune when you face the year’s lucky direction and eat them in silence while wishing for a year of good health and prosperous business.
Store-bought rolls can be so large that they’re hard to finish, and since it’s considered best to bite into an ehomaki rather than slice it, cutting it up can feel a bit inauspicious.
In that case, why not make your own ehomaki in a size you can finish by yourself, using your favorite fillings? Prepare easy-to-eat ingredients like egg and tuna, and enjoy making ehomaki freely without worrying about the types or number of fillings!
Oni out, ball toss
Setsubun is a major event in February, and bean-throwing to drive away bad things is a classic tradition.
Let’s have everyone try a game inspired by Setsubun’s bean-throwing that combines target throwing and a ball-toss.
Baskets are lined up in front with masks of oni (demons) and more attached, and the rule is to aim for the baskets with higher points and throw the balls.
While judging which baskets the balls can realistically reach, encourage participants to pay close attention to how they throw the balls as well.
[For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas That Bring Out Everyone’s Smiles (21–30)
Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)
The only time you can throw beans with all your might to drive away demons is Setsubun! Let’s make sure everyone can fully enjoy this once-a-year traditional event at places like day-service centers as well.
Staff, please get into character as the oni (demon) on this day! Throwing real beans is fine, but if any are missed during cleanup, they could cause someone to slip and fall.
To keep it safe, we recommend using crumpled newspaper balls or similar substitutes.
After the bean-throwing is done, let’s all eat Setsubun beans together and pray for a happy year ahead.