[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] Activities to Enjoy March: Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreations (31–40)
Butterfly, land on the flower.
When you spot a butterfly, it really feels like spring has arrived, doesn’t it? The way they flutter about is so cute and soothing.
In this article, we’ll introduce a recreation activity that uses butterflies.
First, treat paper plates as flowers and decorate them with origami or markers, then write point values in the center of each plate.
Use a fan to blow the butterflies, and if you land one on a plate, you earn the points written on it.
Moving the fan exercises the hands while also training concentration.
It sounds like it would be great fun and lively whether played individually or in teams.
We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful time with this recreation activity.
Race with the motion of putting on shoes!
A race that mimics the motion of putting on shoes is perfect for exercising the feet! Participants place a cardboard piece, assembled to fit the foot, over their toes and compete to see how quickly they can scoop up balls and transfer them to the neighboring container.
You can keep your shoes on or take them off—either is fine.
When the everyday action of “putting on shoes” becomes difficult, it can be a major source of stress for older adults.
By creating more opportunities to move the feet in a playful, game-like way—not as formal training—you can help them move more comfortably and gradually prevent disruptions to daily life.
A ‘Listen Carefully’ game to distinguish between two words
It’s a game where several people say different words at the same time, and the others try to distinguish what they’re hearing.
For example, two people might simultaneously say the words “ichigo” (strawberry) and “mikan” (mandarin orange).
The team then discusses whether they could make them out and what was said, and tries to give the correct answers.
It seems like good training for both the ears and the brain.
If it’s too difficult, try adjusting the number of speakers or having them speak at a slower tempo.
Short Story: The Hina Doll Family
How about a recreation activity where people share and listen to short stories? Since it’s March, we’re introducing a little tale about Hina dolls, in keeping with the season.
I suspect that, while many might feel they know the Hina doll family, there are probably more people who actually don’t.
Some parts sound like gossip, but that may be exactly what makes it lively and engaging.
Hinamatsuri ring toss
“Hina Ring Toss” is a game that combines hina dolls and ring toss! You throw rings made of paper or other materials at targets modeled after the hina dolls displayed on a seven-tier stand, and compete for points individually or in teams.
If you use a rule where any doll a ring lands on gets placed on the tiered stand, the number of targets gradually decreases, naturally increasing the difficulty.
Another recommended rule is to arrange the targets on papers labeled with point values, so the score changes depending on where the ring lands.
By adding seasonal twists like this, even classic games can be enjoyed in new ways.
[For Seniors] Enjoy March: Activities, Games, Crafts, Music, and Snack Recreation (41–50)
Plum Blossom Made with Origami
March is the season when our spirits lift as spring draws near.
Many flowers bloom in spring, but plum blossoms reach their best a bit earlier, from February to March.
How about making adorable plum blossoms out of origami to welcome spring a little ahead of time? Plum blossoms have five petals, so you start by cutting the origami paper into a pentagon and then folding it.
There are quite a few steps to follow and some detailed work involved, but moving your fingers is great brain training, so it’s highly recommended.
Assistance is needed for the parts where you use scissors to make cuts.
shell matching game
The elegant game known as kai-awase has been passed down since the Heian period.
It typically uses clams (hamaguri) whose left and right shells have matching patterns.
The shells are divided into right shells called jigai and left shells called degai.
Players try to find the degai with the same pattern as each jigai, and whoever finds the most matches wins! Because this game appears in historical dramas and period pieces, older adults may be familiar with it.
It’s easy for anyone to play as long as you have the shells, so why not give it a try after enjoying a delicious hamaguri meal?
