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 (141–150)
Beanbag Tower
Let’s stack beanbags and build a tower.
Many older adults may have played with beanbags when they were young, or even made them for their children.
This game is about stacking soft, lightweight beanbags without letting them topple.
Using a paper cup as the base to place the beanbags on will make it a bit more challenging.
However, that slight difficulty is said to help activate brain activity.
It’s a fun game that’s perfect for February, when the cold can make us reluctant to move our bodies.
Bean Toss Game
Unlike the traditional bean-throwing to hit the ogre, the “Bean Toss Game” is about throwing beans into the ogre’s mouth.
Since it’s quite tricky to get beans into a moving ogre’s mouth, try making a cardboard ogre doll with a hole for the mouth.
Adjust the throwing distance to match participants’ ages, and everyone can have a great time together.
Furoshiki bag making
These days, it’s becoming common to carry reusable shopping bags.
Still, many of us often forget them.
That’s when a furoshiki comes in handy.
By tying the corners, you can turn a furoshiki into a bag.
Since February 23 is Furoshiki Day, how about learning together how to make furoshiki bags? There seem to be several ways to make them, with different tying methods depending on what you want to carry.
Teaching someone else would surely make them happy, too.
Oni and Bean-Throwing
Why not try bean-throwing with older adults, shouting the cheerful phrase, “Demons out! Good fortune in!”? Bean-throwing (mamemaki) is a ritual in which illnesses and disasters that come with seasonal changes are symbolized as demons and driven away.
Have staff members play the role of the demons, and invite the older adults to throw beans at them.
Some participants may recall the bean-throwing they did when they were young, or with their children or grandchildren.
It could spark lively reminiscing.
And through mamemaki, we also hope they can feel the changing seasons.
Good fortune tea
This is a wonderfully warming recreation that’s perfect for the cold winter.
Let me introduce fukucha, a tea made using beans from Setsubun.
On February 3rd, saying “Out with the demons, in with good fortune” is great, but enjoying it in this more adult way is nice too.
You can make it even more enjoyable by arranging the tea with additions like plum or kelp!
Ehomaki Game
Speaking of Setsubun, it’s all about biting into an ehomaki while facing the lucky direction for the year! Let’s play a game that uses the motion of rolling ehomaki to give the brain just the right amount of stimulation.
Lay out ingredients like cucumber, salmon, and egg—made by cutting construction paper into thin strips—on a damp towel that stands in for vinegared rice.
Carefully roll up the towel so the ingredients don’t stick out, wrap it with a strip of black construction paper as the seaweed, and secure it with a rubber band—done! Compete as sushi chefs to see how many rolls you can complete within the time limit, and have everyone join the race!
In conclusion
How did you enjoy February-only activities like the Setsubun Ehomaki game and the bean-throwing exercise? It’s a season when the cold often keeps us from moving our bodies, which is all the more reason to spend time warming both body and soul while savoring the seasonal atmosphere. In addition to games and exercises, let’s incorporate a wide range of activities—like snack-time events and quizzes—and get through the cold season cheerfully and with fun!