[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.
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- Snacks and activity ideas for seniors to enjoy in January
- [For Seniors] January Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Brain training with quizzes about New Year and winter.
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games (1–10)
Daruma making
Let’s try a hands-on craft perfect for January: making a daruma! First, cut thick paper into a circle to create the base.
Take a sheet of red construction paper, crumple it once to add texture, then tear it into pieces and glue them onto the base.
Add patterns to complete the daruma’s body.
Next, draw the face on a separate piece of paper, cut it out, and glue it onto the base—your daruma is done! It’s very simple, so give it a try.
Daruma are traditionally red, but I think it would look cute in any color you like.
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.
Making amazake
Did you know that amazake, a sweet drink that has long been loved by many, offers a variety of health benefits? In fact, amazake is rich in dietary fiber, which helps improve gut health and can moderate the rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
It may also promote healthy hair and skin, and aid in recovery from fatigue! Why not make some amazake and serve it to older adults? All you need is koji and water.
Mix koji with hot water and keep it warm at 55–60°C (131–140°F) for about six hours.
Using a yogurt maker or a rice cooker makes it easy.
Add hot water to taste to the finished mixture, and your delicious amazake is ready.
It contains no added sugar and 0% alcohol, so it’s safe for older adults to enjoy!
[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games (11–20)
Paper cup kendama
As a fun New Year’s activity, I recommend the “paper cup kendama.” Kendama has long been a popular game among children, so many of you have probably played it before.
Let’s make a kendama using paper cups and a colored ball! You’ll also need cardboard and string.
You can get everything at a 100-yen shop.
Attach paper cups to a long piece of cardboard and tie on the string.
Then attach a colored ball to the end of the string, and your paper cup kendama is complete.
There’s also a variation using paper plates for those who find the paper cup version difficult, so be sure to check that out.
It’s easy to make and won’t hurt even if it hits you, making it perfect for recreational activities in senior facilities.
mochi pounding
When it comes to New Year’s traditions, mochi pounding definitely comes to mind.
Many older adults probably remember enjoying mochi pounding at home when they were young.
Why not recreate that experience as a recreation activity by preparing a mortar and pestle? Get everything ready in advance and start the activity from the mochi-pounding itself.
Since it requires physical strength, it’s important for staff to provide support throughout.
Please be extra careful to prevent falls and choking.
Let’s incorporate a mochi-pounding event as a recreation idea—fun to do and delicious to eat.
It’s sure to be a joyful time filled with smiles.
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.
New Year’s Quiz
How about a New Year quiz that’s perfect for activities in senior facilities in January? This video features a variety of quiz questions related to January.
Even seniors with a wealth of knowledge might encounter something new! Brain training can help improve cognitive function and may help prevent dementia.
Individual matches can get exciting, but turning it into a team competition is also recommended, as it encourages communication among participants.
Enjoy brain training and put it to good use for dementia prevention!