Activities perfect for July for seniors: Introducing games and recreational options
When it comes to July traditions, Tanabata immediately comes to mind.
How about incorporating Tanabata-themed activities as a way to enjoy July? There are plenty of lively ideas, such as games inspired by Orihime and Hikoboshi and star-toss games.
In addition to games, we also introduce craft projects like bamboo decorations and tanzaku wish strips.
Working together on Tanabata-themed activities and crafts will warm everyone’s hearts.
Spend a joyful summer moment full of smiles together with older adults.
- [For Seniors] July Events: Recommended Recreation Ideas for Senior Facilities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Enjoy July! Easy and Fun Snack Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities Introduced
- [For Seniors] Summer Haiku: Ideas to Feel the Season
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Recreations to Experience in August
- [For Seniors] June-Themed Activities: Recommended Recreation and Game Collection
- [For Seniors] Fun Activities That Liven Up Cool Evening Festivals and Summer Festivals
- [For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Lively Whiteboard Activities
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
Indoor Recreation & Games (21–30)
Enjoying food stalls in a yukata
Savor summer in quintessential Japanese style.
Here are ideas for enjoying festival stalls in a yukata.
When it comes to summer, cool-evening festivals and summer festivals are major events.
Why not take this opportunity to change into a yukata and enjoy the event with your whole being? Slip into a beloved yukata and you’ll naturally stand a little taller and feel refreshed—no doubt about it! Nostalgic summer memories will come flooding back, and conversations will flow.
Even if going out is difficult, festival stalls set up in your facility or garden can spark excitement and joy.
It’s sure to be a wonderful event spent in a gorgeous yukata.
Beanbag Tower
Many older adults may have played otedama (traditional beanbags) when they were young.
Some might even have played otedama with their children or grandchildren.
Here’s a game that uses those beanbags to build a tower.
The rule is simple: place a paper cup upside down as a base and compete to see how many beanbags you can stack on top.
By handling and stacking the beanbags, you can expect to improve or maintain fine motor balance and concentration.
You can focus and play alone, or make it a team competition for extra excitement.
If you like, please give it a try.
paper sumo
People currently using day services and the like likely belong to a generation that often played paper sumo as children.
Controlling paper wrestlers while adjusting your strength is trickier than it looks and can be quite absorbing.
It’s great that, even with differences in physical strength or mobility, everyone can enjoy the game on almost equal footing.
It might also be fun to draw and make your own wrestlers by hand and compete with a one-of-a-kind wrestler found nowhere else in the world.
Exercises you can do while sitting (1–10)
Singing and exercise medley of summer children’s songs
As an indoor exercise activity, seated calisthenics are a classic choice.
Even while sitting, you can move your body well and refresh your mood, so give it a try and dance along.
You can use any music you like, but if you want something widely recognized that everyone can hum to, summer children’s songs are recommended.
There are plenty of summer-themed nursery songs such as “Kamome no Suiheisan” (Seagull Sailor), “Fujinoyama” (Mount Fuji), and “Ware wa Umi no Ko” (Child of the Sea), so pick some popular tunes.
Loosen up your body by spreading your arms and marching your feet to the rhythm!
Shoulder Tapping Exercise: Tanabata Version
Here’s a great recommendation for a recreation activity that’s perfect for Tanabata on July 7.
It’s a shoulder-tapping exercise often used in senior care facilities, adapted to a Tanabata song.
Since it can be done while seated, seniors of all abilities can enjoy it.
Plus, many people will recall old memories through the nostalgic song, which may also help prevent dementia.
radio calisthenics
This radio calisthenics routine is easy for elderly people who use wheelchairs to do.
There’s also a seated version, so no worries.
You can enjoy exercising at a good tempo along with the music.
By the way, the current Radio Calisthenics No.
1 has been broadcast since 1951 and is actually the third generation.
It’s a very historic exercise, isn’t it?
Soran-bushi exercise
The Soran Bushi, a folk song from Hokkaido, is probably a song that many older adults have heard at least once.
These days, it’s often performed at school sports festivals as well.
Some of you may even remember watching your children or grandchildren dance to it at their sports day.
Let’s try doing some exercises to the familiar Soran Bushi melody.
Since the movements are done while seated, even those who find it difficult to stand can participate.
It would also be exciting for everyone to dance together at a summer festival.