For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
In February, when the chill still lingers, how about spending some joyful time with activities that warm both body and soul? We’ve gathered plenty of smile-bringing ideas that capture the unique seasonal feel of February—from games themed around Setsubun and Valentine’s Day, to exercises you can do while seated, and even “snowball fights” using newspaper.
These activities can spark nostalgic memories, naturally liven up conversations with those around you, and help you feel good by moving your body—offering lots of positive effects to look forward to.
Precisely because it’s a cold season, please enjoy heartwarming moments indoors with safe, fun activities!
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [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 Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! February-Themed Quiz
For Seniors: February Activities. Get excited for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (81–90)
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?
Valentine’s Day Crafts
Speaking of February, it’s all about Valentine’s Day! Traditionally, it’s an event where women give gifts like chocolates to men, but how about making a present yourself this year? If you decorate it in a cute, unique way using familiar materials like construction paper or origami, it’ll really help set the Valentine’s Day mood!
Ehomaki Game
Let’s turn the ehomaki we eat on Setsubun into a game.
Ehomaki are filled with lots of ingredients, right? On top of paper “nori” and “rice,” place ingredients made from long, thin strips of construction paper or fabric.
The key is to prepare colors that look like real ehomaki fillings, such as red and green.
Then, using both hands, roll it up as if you were making a real sushi roll.
When it’s finished, face the lucky direction for that year and take a big bite.
This idea of making ehomaki from paper or fabric seems like something older adults would also enjoy.
It’s a perfect game to do in February.
Korokoro Pon Game
Here’s a tabletop game that uses balls.
Prepare balls of different sizes, such as ping-pong balls or rubber balls about the size of a fist.
An older adult rolls a ball from one end of the table.
On the opposite side of the table from where the older adult is rolling, hang a basket.
The game is to roll the ball and get it into this basket.
It can be played while seated, so it seems suitable for older adults who use wheelchairs as well.
Moments like “It almost went in but didn’t!” are likely to make it exciting for the participants.
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.
Dialect Quiz
February 18 is reportedly “Dialect Day,” established by an organization in Kagoshima Prefecture to preserve and pass down the Amami region’s dialects.
In that spirit, how about a quiz in February featuring distinctive dialects from around Japan? Words like namara in Hokkaido dialect meaning “very,” and karau in Fukuoka dialect meaning “to carry on one’s back,” are just a few examples of expressions that may not be understood outside their regions.
Let’s enjoy a dialect quiz together while teaching one another along the way.
[For Seniors] February Activities: Have Fun with Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (91–100)
Bag-closure Cat Fishing Game
This is a recreation activity that uses bag closures—the clips used to seal bags for items like sliced bread.
February 22 is Cat Day, so it’s also great as a seasonal event.
Plus, since you can play while seated, it’s safe and comfortable for older adults.
You place bag closures with clips attached on a table or the floor, then use a fishing rod made from a plastic wrap core, a magnet, and a string to pick them up.
It could be fun to set a time limit in advance and compete to see how many you can catch.
It’s an intuitive game that anyone can enjoy without exerting much physical effort.
Try adding your own illustrations or decorations to the bag closures and have fun with it.
