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)
Ball Grabbing Game
Let’s play a game where you grab balls using newspaper.
All the tools used in the game are made from newspaper.
Make the balls by crumpling newspaper into a sphere, and make the grabbing sticks out of newspaper as well.
You can create everything you need for the game using everyday materials.
Place several balls inside a circle, grab them with the stick, and put them into a basket.
If you set a time limit, the game gets more exciting.
Forming teams and competing for the best time will make it even more fun.
Chocolate making
With Valentine’s Day on February 14 approaching, how about making homemade chocolates with just a few simple ingredients? All you need is a chocolate bar, heavy cream, and cocoa powder.
Break the chocolate into pieces, combine it with warmed cream, and once it’s melted, pour it into a mold and chill until set.
When the chocolate has firmed up, cut it into pieces and coat them with cocoa powder—and you’re done! They’re soft and melt in the mouth, so even older adults can enjoy them safely.
If coughing or choking is a concern, try making them without the cocoa powder.
For Seniors: Fun Activities for February — Get Excited with Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (101–110)
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.
Demon-slaying with bound bowling
As a recreational activity to coincide with Setsubun, a representative event in February, we recommend “Demon-Slaying with Bounce Bowling”! This activity adapts “bounce bowling,” where pins are set on lined-up chairs and you knock them down by bouncing a ball.
Just wrap printed-out oni (demon) images around the pins to give it a Setsubun twist! Another plus is that it doesn’t require much preparation.
It’s sure to be a hit in both individual and team formats! Once everyone gets the hang of it, you can raise the difficulty by mixing in a ‘good fortune’ pin among the demons.
Bean-Throwing Game
For Setsubun, bean throwing to drive away demons and bad things is essential, and expressing your wishes through movement and voice can also raise health awareness.
This idea adds a game-like element to that important Setsubun tradition to make wishing for good health more fun.
The base materials are a paper plate and paper cups: use the paper plate to make an oni (demon) by attaching origami or yarn, then set it on paper cups marked with point values.
Line them up, throw beans, and compete for points.
It’s a game that naturally focuses attention on controlling strength—figuring out how to throw to aim for higher scores.
Candy box
For those seeking creative entertainment, making a candy box will offer a fulfilling time.
Before you begin, prepare the necessary tools such as origami paper, ribbons, scissors, and glue.
Crafting by hand is fun, isn’t it? Adding a message to your finished, handmade candy box will make it an even more heartfelt gift.
In this recreational activity that turns shared time into something meaningful, seniors take the lead, deepening communication with one another and creating heartwarming pieces.
It’s sure to be a lovely time filled with smiles.
Demon-slaying with an air cannon
Are you familiar with air cannons? They even appear as gadgets in the anime Doraemon, and they attack by using the force of expelled air.
This time, let’s make one using a plastic bottle.
Cut around the bottom of the plastic bottle, and also cut off the end of a balloon (the side you would blow into).
Stretch the balloon over the cut end of the bottle and secure it with tape to finish.
Set up a freestanding “oni” target made from construction paper and aim at it with your air cannon.
It might be tricky to knock it down with air, but it’s a lot of fun.
For older adults, it may also spark conversation with those around them and help broaden social interaction.