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: 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.
Prefecture Quiz
Quizzes and riddles are simple and exciting activities even for seniors.
How about trying a themed quiz limited to Japan’s prefectures? Prepare questions related to prefecture names, kanji, and so on.
Don’t set a time limit—let participants think slowly and carefully.
Even if they don’t know the answer, the act of thinking itself trains the brain.
Be sure to have hints ready for when they get stuck.
For Seniors: Fun Activities for February — Get Excited with Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (101–110)
Shoo Away Game
Let’s play a fun game using balls made from crumpled paper.
It’s called the “Shoo-It-Away Game.” Crumple up sheets of paper or newspaper into balls and place them in a horizontal line in the center of the table.
Before you start, put a strip of tape across the middle of the table to mark the center line.
This tape divides the table into your side and your opponent’s side.
When the game begins, use your hands to push the paper balls into your opponent’s territory on the opposite side.
The rules are simple, but it sounds like it could get exciting.
If you make the paper balls pink, they’ll look like cherry blossoms—perfect for an April game.
It also encourages conversation among participants and can help promote communication among older adults.
A demon made by winding yarn
Here’s a simple craft idea for making an oni (ogre) decoration.
Cut cardboard into a square and create the oni’s face.
Wrap the cut cardboard with yarn in colors you like, such as blue or red.
Attach the facial features, and your oni is complete.
You can display it on a decorative fan base for a festive look, or mount it on construction paper or colored paper for a lovely finish.
To give it a Setsubun feel, arrange holly leaves or plum blossoms around the oni to create a lively atmosphere.
It’s also fun to make several Setsubun-themed parts together with older adults.
You can prepare the parts in advance, let the seniors choose the pieces, and have them finish the work in their preferred style.
Etegami for Setsubun
One of the charms of brush-and-paint picture postcards is that you can freely combine text and images.
In February, how about drawing Setsubun motifs such as Otafuku, oni (demons), and the beans used for bean-throwing to invite good fortune? For Otafuku, give the cheeks plenty of volume and a cheerful smile; for oni, emphasize the horns and fangs to boost their impact.
If you can, finish by stamping a seal—such as one carved from an eraser—for a signature touch.
Even if you’re not skilled at drawing, that can actually add a charming, rustic feel, so anyone can try it with ease.
Cute origami oni wreath
When you think of Setsubun, you might picture scary ogres, but this time we’ll make a cute Setsubun wreath with origami.
We’ll create the base of the origami wreath, and since the steps aren’t complicated, it’s easy for seniors to try.
You’ll make several identical pieces for the base, so once you master how to fold one, the rest becomes simple.
After completing the wreath base, prepare parts related to Setsubun, such as ogres, Otafuku masks, and holly leaves.
You can make the parts together with seniors, or use items sold at 100-yen shops.
Even seniors who find it difficult to sense the seasons may be able to recall February through the crafting activity and by seeing the Setsubun wreath displayed on the wall.
Goldfish Game
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.