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 with Setsubun, Valentine's Day, and Snow (111–120)
Popcorn Game
Even if you know that moving your body is good for your health, you might still feel reluctant to get active.
So here’s a fun popcorn game that lets you exercise your feet while enjoying yourself.
Sit in a chair and place paper plates on both knees.
Fill the plates with lots of crumpled-up paper balls.
Think of the paper plates as frying pans and the crumpled paper as popcorn for the game.
When someone says, “Ready, start!”, flutter your legs and march your feet to shake the paper popcorn out of the plates.
Watching the crumpled paper fall from the plates looks just like popcorn popping in a heated frying pan.
Because it’s an exercise you can do like a game, it seems like older adults can enjoy participating too.
[For Seniors] February Activities: Get Excited with Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (121–130)
Recommended for class activities! Draw your favorite demon
When you think of events in February, Setsubun probably comes to mind.
And when you think of Setsubun, you think of oni (ogres).
How about making unique oni crafts as a recreation activity? Staff can prepare the base parts in advance, such as the oni’s face, horns, and hair.
The rest can be drawn or decorated by the seniors, resulting in oni full of each person’s creativity.
Oni with one or two horns, or even a one-eyed oni—each one uniquely made by the participants.
When these oni are displayed on the facility walls and brighten up the rooms, some seniors may feel the season and grow fond of them.
It’s a project that enhances the Setsubun spirit and brings enjoyment.
Warm-Body Exercises
February, when the cold really sets in, can leave you feeling chilled even indoors.
Why not try some toasty warm-up exercises that help warm the bodies of older adults in senior facilities or day services? Once you’ve finished preparatory stretches to loosen up, start the routine.
Progress in order—from mouth-movement exercises, to ankle mobility, to scapula (shoulder blade) exercises—to gradually warm up the body.
After working the waist/hip area and down to the feet, finish with deep breathing.
By trying these easy, seated exercises, you can raise your body temperature and also expect training benefits.
Setsubun: Oni (ogre) and Otafuku (good-fortune woman)
Let’s make origami featuring the essential oni (ogre) motif for Setsubun and the otafuku (good-luck woman) motif to emphasize a celebratory mood.
For the oni motif, use triangular creases as guides and shape it while keeping the horns in mind.
For the otafuku, make good use of the white reverse side, rounding it off while aiming for a cute look.
By choosing different colors of origami paper and drawing various facial expressions, you can create your own unique Setsubun decorations.
It’s also recommended to finish it off gorgeously by mounting them on a base like a lace paper doily.
Chair exercises in February
Chair exercises can be done while seated, making them a recreation activity that even older adults who find standing difficult can participate in.
This time, we’ll introduce chair movements themed for February.
In the cold season, it’s easy to feel reluctant to move your body.
Let’s help older adults enjoy moving by imagining snowballs, plum blossoms, and skiing.
We’ll activate not only the muscles used in daily life but also those that aren’t used as often.
Doing so helps maintain and improve muscle strength and overall fitness.
Please give it a try!
Heart gift box
Let’s make a heart-shaped gift box that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day to express your gratitude to someone special.
The process involves shaping thin strips of construction paper into a heart, attaching them, and cutting to complete one side.
It’s important to fold back the side pieces to make them easier to glue, and to make sure the two hearts are different sizes so the lid can close properly.
You can add originality by choosing the overall colors and deciding on decorations.
Please proceed with the project while discussing ideas with the older adults.
Heart finger exercise
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we often picture it as a day for lovers, with heart motifs being the classic symbol.
This exercise recreates heart shapes using various finger movements, letting you feel the Valentine’s vibe while training your fingertips.
By experimenting with the overall shape of your hands and fingers, you can learn which angles make them look like a heart.
If the muscles in your hands are tense, it can be hard to form a heart, so it’s recommended to focus on relaxing your wrists and fingertips.
It also seems like a great exercise that could lead to a perfect signature pose for photos.