[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.
- [For Seniors] March-Themed Event Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack Making
- [For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas
- [March Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors!
- For Seniors: Recommended Wall Decoration Ideas for March
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Spring Haiku. Spring Activity
- [For Seniors] Haiku for March: Enjoying a Spring Moment with Famous Verses
- [For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements
- [For Seniors] Hina Matsuri (Girls’ Day) Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Recommended for Dementia Prevention Activities
- For Seniors: Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Daycare Services
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
For Seniors: Activities to Enjoy March — Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreation (21–30)
Making a calendar using your favorite flowers and plants
When spring arrives, older adults may have more opportunities to go outside for a walk, don’t you think? When you visit a park, try picking some flowers and leaves and turning them into a calendar.
Creating with seasonal plants might help older adults recall memories of spring days from the past.
It could also spark conversation and broaden social connections.
For those who have difficulty going out, using dried spring flowers is also recommended.
Calendars made with dried sweet peas or mimosa would be lovely, too.
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.
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.
Making chirashi-sushi cake
This is a “Chirashi Sushi Cake,” perfect for Hinamatsuri events.
Some older adults may have made chirashi sushi at home in the past, right? Making it at the facility might bring back memories of sharing it with family.
It’s an activity where people can enjoy the process too—chatting and reminiscing with others as they make it.
For this chirashi sushi, vinegared rice is pressed into a round cake mold.
Some seniors may find the steps a bit confusing at first.
But by arranging the ingredients on top like cake decorations, you’ll create a festive, beautiful chirashi sushi.
It’s a chirashi sushi cake that’s perfect for Hinamatsuri.
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.
Take photos with a Hina doll panelNEW!
Haven’t you ever wanted to become the Ohinasama (Empress doll) or Odairisama (Emperor doll) at least once? But actually preparing kimono and getting your hair done is a lot of work, isn’t it? So why not become the Ohinasama or Odairisama using one of those face-in-hole panels you often see at tourist spots? All you have to do is hold up the panel and put your face in, so anyone can enjoy it easily.
If everyone takes photos together while holding the panels, it will surely make for wonderful memories of Hinamatsuri.
Hinamatsuri cosplay by staffNEW!
Staff members transform into Hina dolls and have fun! This is a “serious Hinamatsuri” recreation activity.
It might be nice to dress up as the Emperor and Empress, and depending on the number of people, as the three court ladies or the five musicians.
When the staff make their entrance, the venue fills with smiles.
Coming out a little shyly is also part of the fun.
Try lining up like a real tiered Hina display, or let the participants decide the order—both are recommended.
Taking photos together will make for a wonderful, memorable day.
Enjoy Hinamatsuri together in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
