[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)
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.
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.
Valentine’s arrangement
Valentine’s Day is coming in February.
Many seniors have experience giving chocolates or presenting bouquets in the past, don’t they? This “Valentine’s Arrangement” involves putting chocolates and flowers into a clear bag to create a gift.
Making a present for someone special is such an enjoyable activity, isn’t it?
Hit the Heart! Game
Valentine’s Day is an event for expressing your feelings to someone special, and hearts are an essential motif for conveying gratitude and romance.
This is a game that focuses on the idea of trying to capture that Valentine’s heart—like a target-throwing game.
The target is human-shaped, and the large heart in the center has a structure like a large hole with a cover.
The rule is to throw sticks toward it.
A key point is that you throw not a ball but sticks styled like arrows.
Make sure players carefully control their throwing technique and the force they use.
Heart Fishing Game
Valentine’s Day is one of the big events in February, and heart motifs are a must-have, cheerful symbol for the occasion.
Let’s have participants try a game that fully incorporates those heart motifs to “reel in” their targets.
Attach heart shapes with clips to cans wrapped in paper, and have players catch them using a fishing rod with a magnet.
By varying the weight of the cans, the force required to lift them changes, helping players become more aware of controlling their strength.
Good fortune tea
In February, many elderly care facilities incorporate Setsubun into their events.
While most people are familiar with customs like throwing roasted soybeans and displaying holly with sardines, have you heard of “fukucha” (good fortune tea)? Fukucha is also believed to ward off evil and is easy to make, so consider serving it to older adults during your Setsubun event! To prepare it, bring water to a boil and simmer roasted soybeans for about five minutes.
Then put some salted kelp and a pickled plum (umeboshi) in a teacup, pour in the soybean broth, and it’s ready to serve! Since many older adults find hard soybeans difficult to eat, offering fukucha is a great way to let them enjoy the seasonal tradition.
[For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas That Bring Out Everyone’s Smiles (21–30)
Song exercise: Mount Fuji
February 23 was designated “Mt.
Fuji Day” in 2001.
The reason for this date is said to be a play on sounds in Japanese: 2 = fu, 2 = ji, 3 = san (Fuji-san).
As a February activity, how about trying a seated exercise set to the children’s song “Fujinoyama”? You can move your arms in a figure-eight to evoke Mount Fuji, or slowly spread your hands and feet to the sides.
The melody is very calm, so it’s easy to move your body without strain.
If you know the song, feel free to sing along and enjoy it.