[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 (21–30)
tea party
One of the real pleasures of a tea gathering is being able to feel the changing seasons.
It’s lovely to savor spring-themed wagashi sweets together with matcha, isn’t it? In March, why not try whisking tea for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) or during the equinoctial week (Ohigan)? Even among older adults, there probably aren’t many who enjoy matcha in their daily lives, so consider including it in your March events! You could invite a tea instructor and host a formal tea ceremony, but it might be just as nice to keep it casual and have staff whisk the matcha.
Don’t worry too much about strict etiquette—let’s simply enjoy the matcha, the wagashi, and some good conversation.
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.
White Day Fun Trivia Quiz
March 14 is White Day.
How about enjoying some trivia related to White Day with older adults? Some seniors may have given or received chocolates on Valentine’s Day, and some are excited to spend White Day in March.
Let’s make this lovely event even more fun with a trivia quiz.
It’s said that each White Day return gift carries its own meaning.
You can create trivia questions with a bit of creativity, such as about the origins of White Day.
Enjoy a delightful time with interesting trivia!
Easy botamochi made with a rice cooker
In March, there is a long-standing Japanese event called the spring equinox (Haru Higan).
This time, we’d like to introduce botamochi, which you can make in a rice cooker to mark the occasion.
You can make three kinds at once: kinako (roasted soybean flour), sesame, and sweet red bean paste.
You’ll cook glutinous rice in the rice cooker, but you’ll cook regular white rice together with it.
Doing so is said to keep the botamochi from hardening over time.
There are lots of tips for making it easily and deliciously, even by hand.
Some older adults may have made botamochi to offer during Higan in the past.
It’s a great March activity that’s likely to spark fond memories as you cook.
theater
March 27 is World Theatre Day, established by the International Theatre Institute of UNESCO.
It’s meant to encourage people to think about world peace and culture through theatre.
To help older adults learn about this day, why not include a theatre outing in your March recreational activities? You could invite a local theatre troupe for a full-scale performance, or, if possible, have staff put on a homemade play—both would be wonderful! A recreation that’s different from the usual also stimulates the brain and can be very effective.
Hinamatsuri Multiple-Choice Quiz
Let’s help older adults have fun with quizzes and relieve stress at the same time.
Many seniors reportedly feel stressed by worries about things they can no longer do or about their health.
In fact, when you’re thinking through quiz questions, you’re focused, which makes you less likely to feel stress and can also provide a refreshing change of pace.
With that in mind, we’d like to introduce a “Hinamatsuri Multiple-Choice Quiz” that’s perfect for March.
Because it’s a three-choice quiz, it’s easy for older adults to answer.
It should also feel easy to give it a try, right? Quizzes naturally spark conversation with people around you, so they’re great for boosting communication too.
Enjoy a fun time with the Hinamatsuri three-choice quiz!
a walk
In March, it gradually starts to feel like spring, and there are more and more days when you can feel the warmth, right? Warm days like that are perfect for a stroll.
And I’m sure all of you will slowly start feeling a stronger urge to go outside.
How about bundling up and going out for a walk? Even if you can’t walk long distances, just stepping outside to see the wildflowers beginning to bloom here and there or the swelling buds will surely warm your heart.
As you feel the arrival of spring, I’m sure conversations will start to flow.
