For Seniors: Enjoy the Rainy Season—Event Ideas Perfect for June
June often brings rainy weather and many dull, overcast days, doesn’t it?
Older adults may also find it hard to lift their spirits and may be reluctant to move their bodies.
So this time, we’re sharing some event ideas recommended for June.
We’ve gathered events you can do indoors without worrying about the weather, as well as recreational activities that allow seniors to move gently without strain.
Events tied to June observances like Father’s Day and Wagashi Day sound fun, too.
On the occasional sunny day, it could be enjoyable to go for a walk to spot seasonal plants and animals—like hydrangeas and snails—that you can only appreciate now.
Even the gloom that comes with the rainy season can turn into smiles.
We hope everyone has fun together and that the facility feels brighter and cheerier.
[For Seniors] Enjoy the Rainy Season: Perfect Event Ideas for June (1–10)
3 umbrella-based recreation ideas
Let’s introduce three umbrella-based activities perfect for the rainy season.
1) Beanbag Collector with an Umbrella: Using the umbrella’s handle, compete to see how many beanbags you can collect within 30 seconds.
2) Umbrella Roulette: Write prompts on the umbrella, roll a ball, and toss it toward the umbrella to see which prompt it lands on—enjoy the surprise.
Be sure to choose prompts that older adults will find enjoyable.
3) Ring Toss: Use the umbrella’s handle as the target and throw rings onto it.
It’s a game that tests concentration as you see how many rings you can land.
These are all indoor activities, so give them a try and have fun!
Moisture-tolerant plants I want to plant in June
Many older adults enjoy gardening or love flowers.
How about planting some recommended plants for Japan’s rainy season in June? Be sure to choose varieties that are resistant to humidity.
It might be best to select ones you can plant in June and enjoy all the way into autumn.
Hydrangeas and Japanese irises are also plants that handle moisture well.
You can plant them and enjoy their peak during the rainy season.
Gardening together during breaks in the rain is sure to be lively and fun.
Senior Senryu Contest
In June, as we enter the rainy season, we’d like to introduce a senryu event you can enjoy indoors.
Senryu are composed in a five-seven-five rhythm.
Haiku use the same five-seven-five pattern, but unlike haiku, senryu do not require seasonal words.
They characteristically portray human feelings and social events with satire or humor, often in a conversational tone.
Salaryman senryu are well known, aren’t they? Let’s invite older adults to compose verses that weave in humor about what they usually think and feel.
Casual senryu from seniors might spark laughter and liven up the room.
Making plum syrup
Here’s how to make a delicious, seasonally inspired plum juice.
Prepare green or fully ripe plums, rock sugar, and a large container.
The key is to choose unblemished plums and prepare them carefully.
Sterilize the large storage container and let it dry before use.
Layer the plums and rock sugar like a mille-feuille.
Make sure you have enough space so you can work comfortably without straining.
It’s also a good idea to explain the purpose and benefits of plum juice as you go.
Enjoy making your tasty plum juice!
Making Umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums)
June 6 is said to be Ume Day, established by the Kishu Ume Association.
When June comes, supermarkets and home centers line their shelves with a variety of products for making umeboshi, don’t they? Making umeboshi is also a great recommendation for June events at senior facilities.
Some older adults may have made umeboshi every year.
If they have a plum tree at home, some may even have started with the “ume work” of removing the stems from the harvested plums.
If you host a umeboshi-making event, older adults could serve as instructors and really liven up the occasion.
Rainy Season Health Exercises
In June, the rainy season often brings a steady drizzle that raises humidity.
Floors tend to absorb more moisture and can become slippery.
To help prevent falls, try recommended health exercises for June.
While seated in a chair, extend your wrists forward and move them, or place your hands on your knees and stretch the backs of your thighs—these are the kinds of exercises you can do.
Chair-based exercises are easier for many older adults to try.
And because they can be done slowly while seated, seniors can enjoy moving their bodies at a comfortable pace.
Music Therapy: Nostalgic Kayōkyoku (Japanese Popular Songs)
Many older adults have probably listened to nostalgic kayōkyoku (popular songs) at least once.
During the rainy season when it keeps pouring, try spending time indoors listening to or singing those classics.
As the familiar tunes and lyrics play, they will likely bring back memories from that time—like songs you listened to with friends or sang together at school—and music is said to revive the feelings and emotions tied to those moments.
What’s more, listening, singing, and moving your body to the music can help stimulate the brain.
It might even spark lively conversations about memories from those days.