For Seniors: Festive Attractions to Liven Up Festivals—Games and Recreational Activities

Balloon basket

Senior Recreation: Build responsiveness to unexpected movements! Balloon-based activities for day services and elder care

This activity has participants gently hit a balloon and try to land it in the basket in front of them.

Encourage them to pay close attention to the direction they hit the balloon and how much force they use.

In addition to aiming to get it into the basket in a single hit, it’s also recommended to add a variation where they bounce it upward a few times before aiming for the basket to develop their sense of balance.

By thinking about the direction to bounce the balloon and moving to retrieve it, they can train not only their bodies but also their reflexes and decision-making skills.

It would also be exciting to turn it into a cooperative game where everyone stands in a large circle and targets a basket placed in the center.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

Can Stacking Game

What's the highest you can stack? 'Can Stacking Game'

It’s a game where you stack empty cans and compete for points.

It looks simple, but empty cans are surprisingly light, and once you stack them, they become unstable and hard to balance.

Even among empty cans, the balance differs between the standard 350 ml and 500 ml sizes.

For the taller 500 ml cans, points are doubled, and you compete on how many you can stack within the time limit.

If your stack collapses along the way, you can start over as long as you’re still within the time limit.

Let’s write everyone’s scores on a chart and see who gets the highest score!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Tuna pulling

Autumn Sports Day #fish #single-hook fishing #day service #Maebashi City #Egimachi

Summer festivals are lively, so the excitement really builds, doesn’t it? Tug-fishing is great even for seniors who might think they can’t enjoy it because the movements are different from when they were kids.

The version we’re introducing can be enjoyed while seated.

It’s a game where you wind a string around a stick to reel in a fish.

It gets even more exciting if two people compete.

The key to winning is quick hand movements.

Choosing fish that are in season during summer adds a nice seasonal touch and is highly recommended.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nanaka

Report a problem

Newspaper ball rolling relay

Two-person teamwork, everyone teamwork: 'Newspaper Ball Rolling Relay'

This is a recreation activity where you compete to see how fast you can roll a ball placed on a sheet of newspaper.

It’s suitable for small to large groups, so it’s also recommended for situations where you want to promote interaction among older adults.

Arrange chairs facing each other in alternating rows, and have two people hold the ends of a sheet of newspaper.

Roll the ball you’re given onto the next person’s newspaper, and if it makes it into the basket, that’s a goal.

You can enjoy variety by rolling different types of balls, such as a regular ball, beanbags, or a beach ball.

Give this event a try to experience the fun and sense of unity that comes from doing an activity together.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

Ring Relay

Spring Sports Day 3: Ring Relay

Festivals are events best enjoyed with a crowd.

Let’s liven things up with a “Ring Relay.” For preparation, make rings of large, medium, and small sizes using paper or toilet paper rolls, and pass them along to the next person by threading them onto chopsticks.

It works well as a game for small groups, and it’s also fun as a team competition for larger groups.

Through the relay, you’ll create opportunities to interact with those around you, helping to promote communication.

Since it can be done while seated, it should be easy for older adults to participate too.

Enjoy your time!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

portable Shinto shrine (mikoshi)

Summer Festival Week at Day Service Tamagawa Gakuen Begins

The mikoshi is an essential mood booster for summer festivals! It’s so much fun to carry the mikoshi together to the festival music.

If staff at a facility are going to carry it, why not make a flashy, high-energy one? And if older adults will be carrying it, consider making a lightweight version.

It may be just an event where you carry the mikoshi, but it really gets lively, so it’s highly recommended! You could also have people join the festival music by playing simple rhythms on drums and the like—it would make for a great memory.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

smart ball

Recreation day service smart-ball style elderly care

“Smart Ball” is a game where you roll balls on a board set at a slant, kind of like a pachinko machine laid on its side.

You used to see it a lot at festival stalls.

This version shows you how to make a DIY Smart Ball game.

It’s an easy craft: just take a table with one leg folded to create an incline and stick on halved styrofoam bowls.

If a table won’t work, you can build an inclined surface with a large cardboard box instead.

Then compete to see how many balls you can land—or tally points and play for a high score!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem