[For Seniors] Activities to Enjoy March: Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreation
March, when it gradually gets warmer, is a season that lifts our spirits as we feel the signs of spring.
Why not incorporate seasonal activities into recreational programs to enjoy with older adults? We’ve gathered ideas full of seasonal flair—from games and crafts themed around spring icons like cherry blossoms, butterflies, and bamboo shoots, to snack-time activities that spark the appetite with sweet aromas, and even music sessions that make you want to move.
Many can be done while seated or prepared with familiar, easy-to-get materials, so be sure to try them in your daily recreation programs.
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[For Seniors] Enjoying March: Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Activities (11–20)
Spring Wild Edibles Quiz
March is the season when lots of spring mountain vegetables start to appear, isn’t it? They can be a bit strong in flavor, so many people may have disliked them as children but grown to appreciate their taste as adults.
How about having some fun by making a quiz about these wild vegetables? From varieties that foodies know to ones you can find at the supermarket, you can learn the names of many kinds! Try getting people to guess the names from photos of the vegetables, or identify which mountain vegetables are used from pictures of dishes—get creative with the questions.
Learning about the origins of their names together could make it even more exciting.
Strawberry picking
The strawberry-picking recreation activity looks like something seniors can enjoy too.
The key is to make strawberries out of paper cups and hang them from a hanger.
Grabbing the strawberries with a reacher/grabber can also help improve grip strength.
Skillfully moving the hanger and neatly picking up the strawberries are perfect for boosting dexterity and concentration.
If everyone joins in and has fun together, smiles are guaranteed.
The appeal is that you can move your body while enjoying a new game.
Why not give it a try with everyone?
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 Café
March 3 is Hinamatsuri, also known as the Peach Festival, a day to celebrate and pray for girls’ healthy growth and happiness.
While hina-arare (colorful rice crackers) are commonly eaten for Hinamatsuri, how about enjoying a buffet-style Hinamatsuri café this year? Just seeing an array of colorful sweets lined up is enough to lift your spirits.
Choosing your favorites from so many varieties is fun, and it’s sure to spark lively conversation like, “This is delicious!” and “This one’s great too!” Please enjoy a delicious Hinamatsuri!
Learn about the customs of Ohigan (the equinoctial week)
Many older people are likely familiar with the customs of Ohigan.
Still, how about reviewing them once more and learning about them in greater depth? Ohigan occurs in both spring and autumn, when we visit graves to honor our ancestors.
In addition to the traditions and trivia of Ohigan, it’s also a good idea to learn proper etiquette for visiting graves.
It’s a recreational idea that will surely make you want to share what you’ve learned with your family when you get home—both enriching your knowledge and sparking conversation.
Music activity with spring songs
How about some indoor music recreation for March, when the chill still lingers? Here are Japanese songs perfect to sing in March.
There are many songs that suit spring, such as Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), Spring Has Come, Bush Warbler, and Auld Lang Syne.
Listening to music can help calm the mind and relieve stress.
Hearing nostalgic songs can also prompt you to recall happy memories from the past.
It can serve as a communication tool that helps older adults reminisce and enjoy sharing stories with one another.
Since these are songs many seniors are familiar with, try incorporating them into your recreation time.
For Seniors: Activities to Enjoy March — Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreation (21–30)
Let’s make flowers bloom on a withered tree.
When the warm spring arrives, the cherry blossoms come into full bloom, but in March many regions are still just beginning to bloom, aren’t they? How about enjoying an early cherry blossom viewing as a recreation activity at a senior facility? This game is called “Let’s Make Flowers Bloom on the Withered Tree.” As the name suggests, you toss cherry blossom flowers onto objects that resemble tree branches to make them look fully bloomed! If the flowers land on paper plates placed at the tips of the branches—with points written on them—you earn those points.
This game can be enjoyed while seated, making it appealing because everyone can participate together.
Please enjoy a full bloom of cherry blossoms with this game!