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[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games
January brings cold winds and a lingering chill in the air.
Here are some recommended recreational activities and games for older adults that are perfect for January.
We’ve gathered many options that can be enjoyed in a warm indoor setting!
As the weather gets colder, people tend to move less—so let’s get the body moving through games!
And of course, January means New Year’s.
New Year-themed activities and games might help older adults recall fond memories of the games they played in their childhood.
Enjoy a fun time with January-themed recreation while sparking lively conversations.
[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games (1–10)
Balloon Hanetsuki
Hagoita is a classic New Year’s game.
You use a paddle to hit a shuttlecock back and forth, similar to badminton.
The real shuttlecock has a weight, so it can get quite fast, which unfortunately makes it unsuitable for playing indoors.
That’s why balloon hagoita—using a balloon instead of a shuttlecock—is recommended! Balloons don’t hurt if they hit you, and because they float and fall slowly, even people who aren’t good at sports can enjoy the game.
You can compete to see how many hits you can make without letting the balloon touch the ground, or play rallies with a partner for fun.
New Year’s Day True-or-False Quiz
When you think of New Year’s, what comes to mind? Many of you probably think of things like kagami mochi, the first sunrise of the year, kadomatsu decorations, and New Year’s cards.
There are many unique customs during New Year’s Day and the New Year period that differ from everyday life.
So, let’s enjoy a “Aru-Nashi” quiz with older adults on New Year’s Day.
Prepare several keywords for the “has” group and the “doesn’t have” group, and have participants figure out what the items in the “has” group have in common.
Recalling words stimulates the brain and can have brain-training benefits.
In addition to Aru-Nashi quizzes, quizzes whose answers relate to New Year’s Day or the New Year are also recommended.
Be sure to liven things up with quizzes when spending time with older adults!
Battledore and Shuttlecock Tournament
Hanetuki, a traditional New Year’s game that has long been loved, is said to symbolize warding off misfortune for the year and wishing for health and growth.
Many people likely have fond memories of playing it with family and friends when they were young.
How about trying hanetuki at a senior care facility? As shown in the video, using a balloon in place of the shuttlecock lets everyone play safely without risk.
You can also use a paper fan instead of a battledore to make it easy to try.
Because the aim of hanetuki is to hit the incoming shuttlecock back with the battledore so it doesn’t fall, it helps build quick reflexes.
It also involves large body movements, making it perfect for recreation in senior facilities!
Big kendama
How about a “Giant Kendama” as a recommended recreation activity for January? The materials are pool noodles, paper cups, colored balls, and string—all available at 100-yen shops.
Using the video as a guide, attach a string to the bottom of a paper cup and secure a colored ball to the end of the string.
Then attach the pool noodle to the paper cup, and your Giant Kendama is complete! The rules are the same as a regular kendama: it’s a success if the ball lands in the cup.
Because the handle is made long with a pool noodle, it’s trickier than you might expect.
Older adults will surely get absorbed in it like when they were children.
New Year’s Song Exercise
How about enjoying some sing-and-exercise time with the well-known New Year’s song? For many, just hearing this tune brings a warm feeling that the New Year is just around the corner.
Let’s get our bodies moving energetically to the music.
It includes many easy-to-understand movements, like those of an octopus and a spinning top, so it’s simple to join in.
The key is to make each movement big and expressive! Since the exercises can be done while seated, they’re perfect for recreational fitness activities for older adults.
Use this sing-and-exercise routine to have fun and get through the cold winter!
Exercises to warm up the body
January is one of the coldest months of the year.
There are events like New Year’s shrine visits, but it can feel like a hassle to go outside.
When you spend many days indoors, lack of exercise becomes a concern.
To help with that, indoor exercises are recommended.
Doing simple exercises improves circulation and warms up your body.
They say that cold is the root of many illnesses, so let’s warm up with exercise and aim to stay healthy! For those who find standing difficult, seated exercises are also recommended.
Even just moving your upper body will warm you up!
January Trivia Quiz
It’s a quiz that covers a wide range of January-specific topics, including New Year’s events, customs, and history.
Because the questions are drawn from diverse themes, you naturally encounter bits of knowledge you might feel you know but actually don’t.
The simple question format makes it easy to jump in, and getting an answer right is satisfying, while even a wrong answer rewards you with fun trivia.
If you play with family or friends, the answers spark conversation and make it enjoyable across generations.
It’s well-balanced content that’s easy to enjoy at the start of the New Year and offers learning value, too.