[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] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Brain-training quizzes for January: Let’s have fun with New Year and winter trivia
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas: Boost Your Luck with New Year Decorations and Good-Luck Charms
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- Recreation Activities to Liven Up January Events for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- 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)
January 25: Steamed Bun Day, making Chinese-style steamed buns
January 25 is Chinese Steamed Bun Day.
It’s said to be based on the day when the lowest temperature in Japan’s meteorological history was recorded.
The day carries the hope that people will warm up by eating piping-hot steamed buns on a cold day.
How about incorporating steamed bun making into your January snack recreation? It’s easy if you use sliced bread for the dough and gyoza for the filling.
Wrap cooked gyoza with sliced bread (with the crusts cut off).
Using plastic wrap while wrapping makes it easier.
Then microwave the wrapped gyoza, and you’re done.
Since this can be made while seated at a table, many older adults are likely to be able to participate in the snack activity.
Visiting a shrine and bean-throwing
When you think of New Year’s, many people probably think of hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.
While many of us went every year when we were younger, it can be difficult to go as we get older.
For seniors in that situation, an indoor hatsumode can be a delightful alternative.
In the day service featured in this video, they made a small, homemade torii gate and had the seniors come to pay their respects.
The handmade coins used as offerings and the fortune slips (omikuji) add to the atmosphere and are wonderful touches.
A hatsumode recreation is perfect for kicking off the new year—give it a try for inspiration!
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.
[For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games (11–20)
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!
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.
Omikuji game
How about enjoying a fortune-telling omikuji game? Put sticks marked with numbers into a plastic bottle, then shake and try to get as many sticks out as you can within the time limit.
Compete on how many sticks you got out or the total of the numbers on them.
At the end, choose one of the sticks you drew and receive the matching-number omikuji to enjoy your fortune.
Shaking harder doesn’t necessarily get more sticks out, so think about how to move it to draw more effectively as you play.
Decorate the plastic bottle to give it an omikuji feel.