[For Seniors] March-Themed Event Activities
In this article, we introduce March events and recreational activities for seniors!
March is full of occasions like Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) and White Day.
Elderly care facilities such as day services often hold a variety of events every month.
Of course, classic recreational activities are fun, but these ideas are also recommended when you want to change things up a bit and try something different.
Many of them can be enjoyed at home as well, so please feel free to incorporate them.
- [For Seniors] Activities to Enjoy March: Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreation
- [For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack Making
- For Seniors: Recommended Wall Decoration Ideas for March
- For Seniors: Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Daycare Services
- [For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- [For Seniors] Haiku for March: Enjoying a Spring Moment with Famous Verses
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Cherry-Blossom Viewing! Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Brighten Up Hinamatsuri: Wall Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Spring Haiku. Spring Activity
- For Seniors: Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in April
[For Seniors] March-Themed Event Activities (1–10)
Hishimochi Tower Game
Here’s a perfect game for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day): the Hishi Mochi Tower Game.
It’s an easy, sit-at-the-table activity, so it’s recommended for seniors.
Cut thick paper in “pink,” “white,” and “green” into strips and form rectangles.
You can also repurpose empty milk cartons.
Once they’re ready, stack them like a tower, alternating colors.
If your hishi-mochi tower falls, you lose.
By the way, the colors of hishi mochi are said to symbolize: pink for peach blossoms, white for snow, and green for fresh greenery.
It might be nice to stack them in that order, too.
Since preparation is simple, give it a try for Hinamatsuri!
Hinamatsuri Party
When enjoying recreation in a large group, such as at a day service, how about hosting a Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) party? It would be exciting for everyone to dress up as the Emperor and Empress dolls, the three court ladies, and the five musicians, and recreate a realistic tiered display together.
Dancing to songs related to Hinamatsuri or holding a quiz competition also sounds fun.
Preparing snacks like dango for everyone to share is a great idea, too.
Here’s hoping your Hinamatsuri party is lots of fun and becomes a cherished memory!
Hinamatsuri Exercise
Here’s an exercise you can do while seated, perfect for March.
Move your legs and arms to the tune of the children’s song “Ureshii Hinamatsuri.” This exercise is expected to help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.
Many older adults have probably heard or sung “Ureshii Hinamatsuri” at least once, right? Exercises set to a familiar song are easier to get into.
Some of the moves also match the imagery of the lyrics, making them easier to remember and perform.
It’s fine to start once you’ve gotten used to it, so try doing the exercises while singing along.
[For Seniors] March-themed Event & Recreation Ideas (11–20)
Hinamatsuri Doll Carrying Game
Place the hina dolls and the imperial prince and princess made from cups on a base attached to a string.
Participants should pull the string with their feet to reel in the base.
Try not to knock over the dolls as much as possible.
You can decide the winner by how many cups remain standing, or assign points in advance and compete based on the points of the dolls that stay upright.
Since you have to use your feet firmly to pull it in, it’s also perfect for a lower-body workout!
Hinamatsuri Target Game
It’s a game where you throw balls at a target inspired by a tiered hina-dan display.
Hula hoops are used for the target’s frames, and they’re covered with tape that makes the balls stick.
On the tape are illustrations of the Ohinasama (Empress), Odairisama (Emperor), the three court ladies, and the five musicians, and it seems the score varies depending on where you hit.
As expected, the tape beneath the Empress and Emperor likely yields higher points…
It’s a game everyone can enjoy, letting you get moving while soaking up the Hinamatsuri spirit!
Hinamatsuri Bag Toss Game
Attach illustrations of the Ohinasama and Odairisama to plastic bottles, then cover them with bags.
At the start signal, participants use uchiwa fans to send air and blow the bags off the bottles.
Prepare several bottles, and make the rule that the person who removes all their bags first wins.
Bags won’t fly off if you fan them from the front, so the key is how well you strike the fan against the table to send air from below.
Also, be careful: if you don’t send air continuously, the bags will fall back down.
Hina Doll Rearrangement Game
The Hina Doll rearrangement game is a delightful recreation that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Working in pairs, participants cooperate to skillfully arrange paper-cup Hina dolls.
It’s charming because it lets you enjoy a traditional atmosphere in a new way.
The task of lining up the dolls in order can also help stimulate the brain.
It seems like a wonderful time where you can reminisce with fond memories while engaging your mind.
Why not try it together with older adults and have fun as you work on it?