For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow

Making Ehomaki (lucky sushi rolls)

Ehomaki-making experience as a Setsubun recreation at the nursing home!

Ehomaki has now become a familiar seasonal custom for Setsubun across Japan.

It’s a tradition where you face the year’s lucky direction and eat in silence on Setsubun day to pray for a year of health and safety.

Said to have originated in Osaka, it has long been beloved in the Kansai region, but it has spread nationwide, and you now see banners in supermarkets and convenience stores well in advance of the day.

Let’s make ehomaki and enjoy them together! If you prepare the fillings and vinegared rice in advance, then set things up so all that’s left is to place the rice and fillings on the roasted nori and roll, even those who aren’t confident in cooking can have fun.

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utatane

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Constellation observation

Winter Stars ~The Winter Diamond Rising in the Eastern Sky~

In February, when the harsh winter cold sets in, the air is clear and the stars in the night sky appear sharper.

Simply gazing at the wide expanse of stars is wonderful, but why not try looking for constellations by paying attention to directions and other clues? Start with famous constellations like Orion, explore what others are out there, and let your thoughts drift across the night sky.

Bright stars are often part of constellations, so you might find a bright star first and then identify the constellation it belongs to.

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kappamaki

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Holly Sardine Origami

How to fold a Setsubun origami holly-and-sardine (Hiiragi Iwashi) [with audio commentary] — Easily make a cute Setsubun decoration!

When you think of Setsubun, ogres and bean-throwing probably come to mind right away, but have you heard of one of the traditional decorations called hiiragi iwashi? It’s a Setsubun ornament based on an old custom: you skewer a grilled sardine head onto a sprig of holly with leaves and display it at your entrance to ward off misfortune and evil.

Let’s try making this hiiragi iwashi using origami.

You’ll need origami paper, glue, and a pair of wooden chopsticks.

The sardine’s face will vary depending on who draws it, so enjoy creating a uniquely personal hiiragi iwashi.

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utatane

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Setsubun True-or-False Quiz

Setsubun True-or-False Quiz [Bean-Throwing]

Setsubun is one of Japan’s long-standing customs.

It’s said that during the Edo period, the style of throwing roasted soybeans, as it’s done today among ordinary people, became established.

Would you like to enjoy Setsubun’s rich history with a true-or-false quiz? Older adults may feel a sense of accomplishment when their answers are correct, and even when they don’t know something, it becomes a fun way to learn new facts.

Of course, because it’s a quiz, it can stimulate the brain and may help prevent cognitive decline.

It’s recommended as a recreation activity and also as a great conversation starter when talking with older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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Goldfish Game

Goldfish game #nursingCare #nursingHome #careFacility #recreation #rec #elderly #game #KitasunaHome #dayService

At festival stalls, there’s usually a goldfish scooping game, right? Besides scooping, here’s a fun game that uses goldfish as the theme.

Two people hold the ends of a face towel, and place a goldfish plushie or a crafted goldfish on the towel.

While shaking the towel, they toss the goldfish into a basket that’s been set up in advance.

Assign points based on the size of the basket and the distance to the basket.

This innovative goldfish game should be enjoyable for older adults as well.

It also seems like it would be exciting to play as teams.

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Nakajima Junko

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ball rec

Senior Brain-Training Exercises: Ball-Based Recreation for Preventive Care

Recreational activities that use soft, lightweight balls are recommended for older adults.

Throwing and catching the ball engages various physical and sensory abilities such as muscle strength, grip strength, and dynamic visual acuity.

Simply touching a ball that can roll or be squeezed is also enjoyable for its tactile feel.

This is said to have beneficial effects on the brain as well.

There are ball-based activities that can be done while seated in a chair, making them accessible to many seniors.

Have the participants sit in a circle and pass the ball forward and backward.

If someone can stand steadily, have them walk to the side and hand the ball to the person next to them.

This helps improve core balance.

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Nakajima Junko

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Beanbag basket made from newspaper

Recreation for Seniors: Lively Setsubun Activities! Tear the Newspaper! Beanbag Toss into a Basket

Setsubun is a major event in February and carries the meaning of praying for a happy year.

This is a game inspired by bean-throwing, which is essential for Setsubun to drive away demons, played like a target game where you throw beanbags at a goal.

You attach newspaper sheets labeled with the characters for “oni” (demon) and “fuku” (good fortune) to baskets, and throw beanbags into them.

The rule is to throw beanbags at the “oni” and avoid hitting “fuku,” so be mindful of controlling your throws.

The throwing motion helps train the wrist and the whole body, and aiming for longer throws also boosts concentration.

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