![[For Seniors] Collection of Activities to Experience in July: Introducing Tanabata Games, Snack Recreations, Exercises, and Even Brain Training](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kIoY30uC21I/sddefault.jpg)
[For Seniors] Collection of Activities to Experience in July: Introducing Tanabata Games, Snack Recreations, Exercises, and Even Brain Training
Speaking of July, Tanabata comes to mind—if you incorporate activities inspired by starry skies and the Milky Way, you can fully savor the seasonal charm.
In this article, we’ve compiled activities perfect for July, tailored for older adults.
From games you can enjoy while seated and crafts that exercise fine motor skills, to sing-along exercises that refresh the body and quizzes ideal for brain training, there are plenty of recreational activities to gently stimulate both body and mind.
Why not spend a smile-filled moment while feeling the story of Tanabata?
Tanabata Recreation (1–10)
Flowing Ball GameNEW!
Tanabata is an important event in July, and since the Milky Way is an essential element of Tanabata, it also evokes the image of flowing water.
Focusing on that flowing water, this game has players send balls rolling as if they were flowing somen noodles, and others try to catch them.
The rules are simple: scoop the rolling balls with a ladle and compete to see how many you can place into a basket.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing the angle and making other tweaks.
Another recommended variation is to roll capsules containing pieces of paper; the papers list prizes, which should make things even more exciting as players aim carefully.
The Tale of Tanabata-samaNEW!
Speaking of big events in July, Tanabata is a traditional festival told alongside a romantic story.
Let’s take a moment to recall what that story was, so we can deepen our connection to it.
Don’t just listen to a reading—pause at points like the characters’ names and turn it into a quiz to add an element of thinking.
If there are parts you remembered incorrectly or didn’t know, share them and get everyone excited together.
Star shooting gameNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@hirose_ds/video/6983070638902709505When it comes to July events, Tanabata is one that’s closely connected with stars and constellations.
Let’s let people feel the event’s story through a target-shooting-style game inspired by the night sky’s stars and shooting stars.
The rules are simple: targets with point values are arranged on a table, and players slide star-decorated pieces toward them.
Targets featuring Orihime and Hikoboshi are worth higher points; if you place those farther away, it should encourage even greater concentration.
Making tanzaku (paper strips)
On Tanabata, we decorate bamboo branches with tanzaku slips bearing our wishes.
I’m sure many of you, as children, freely and boldly asked the gods for what you wanted.
So let’s have older adults enjoy making Tanabata tanzaku as well.
The slips themselves are easy to make using colored construction paper or origami paper.
Have them write whatever they like on them.
As adults, we rarely have chances to write down our wishes, so it might feel fresh and engaging.
It will also be fun to see what everyone wishes for!
Shooting Star Catch Game
It’s a game where you compete to see how many shooting stars sliding down from the Milky Way you can catch.
You can probably make the Milky Way and the shooting stars yourself using cardboard, colored construction paper, origami paper, and raffia ribbon.
You can use any tool to catch the shooting stars, but if it has depth, the difficulty will be easier, while a flat tool will make it harder because the stars will fall off the edges.
Try making stars in various colors and sizes and have fun! It’s also a great idea to assign different points to each star and compete by total score!
Tanabata Race
This is a race where you load star pieces, representing the Milky Way, into paper boats.
Participants should split into two teams.
Sit facing each other across a table, and each person holds one scoop made from a milk carton.
When the game starts, a representative gently pulls the string attached to the boat.
As the boat passes in front of each participant, scoop up stars and put them into the boat.
Compete to see which team can load more stars onto their boat.
Scooping is trickier than it looks, so try to figure out how to scoop more quickly and efficiently.
Tanabata Fishing Game
Scatter star-shaped construction paper across a sheet and place snacks on top, then enjoy fishing for them.
The anglers hold rods and wear Orihime or Hikoboshi masks on their heads.
There’s no time limit, but it might also be fun to split into teams and see how many people can catch something in a row.
You can make the rods yourself with a stick, string, and a hook, and just tape a rubber band onto each snack.
Enjoy taking the caught snacks home as souvenirs or eating them together during snack time.