[For Seniors] Recommended Events for May: A Roundup of Ideas That Get Everyone Engaged
May is a refreshing season that makes your heart feel light.
As the weather warms up, it becomes easier to hold events at facilities and similar venues.
It’s also a time when older adults may feel like trying new things, isn’t it?
With that in mind, we’re introducing recommended May events for seniors.
We selected activities designed so that even those who find it difficult to move around can still enjoy themselves.
May features many events and observances, such as Golden Week, Children’s Day (Tango no Sekku), and Mother’s Day.
There are also interesting commemorative days that make event planning fun, like “Makeup Day” and “Hyakunin Isshu Day.”
Through these events, seniors within the same facility can communicate more and deepen their connections.
We hope everyone enjoys them together.
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- [For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Koinobori Indoors: Wall Decoration Ideas Collection
- [For Seniors] Celebrate Children's Day: Make Your Own Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
- For Seniors: Enjoy the Rainy Season—Event Ideas Perfect for June
- [Childcare] Let's make and display in May! Wall Decoration Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Introducing trivia related to May!
- For Seniors: Snacks to Make in May That Capture the Season
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
[For Seniors] Recommended Events for May: A Roundup of Crowd-Pleasing Ideas (1–10)
Koinobori Soufflé Cheesecake
For Children’s Day events, it’s also recommended to prepare luxurious sweets and enjoy a festive celebration.
Perfect for events at senior care facilities as well is the Koinobori Soufflé Cheesecake introduced here.
It looks like a koinobori carp streamer, is cute, and easy to make—highly recommended.
Making it together lets everyone enjoy the fun of cooking and the appeal of teamwork.
Just mix the ingredients, pour into cups, and bake in the oven—that’s it! The final decorating step really sparks creativity.
Enjoy customizing your own designs.
Koinobori Rocket Challenge
Speaking of major events in May, Children’s Day comes to mind, doesn’t it? When you see carp streamers, doesn’t it remind you of your own childhood? The carp streamers swimming high in the sky look grand and carefree, don’t they? This time, I’d like to introduce a game that uses those carp streamers.
The Carp Streamer Rocket Challenge is a game where you launch a carp streamer rocket.
It’s very easy to make using just a paper cup and a plastic umbrella bag.
Creating hoops and launching the carp streamer rocket to score points sounds like it would be a lot of fun too.
Koinobori and kashiwa mochi
For many people, Children’s Day is synonymous with koinobori (carp streamers) and kashiwa mochi.
The oak leaves are considered auspicious because the old leaves don’t fall off until new buds appear.
That’s why kashiwa mochi is seen as a lucky sweet that expresses wishes for children’s healthy growth.
This time, we’ll introduce an easy koinobori kashiwa mochi you can make in the microwave.
Knead the dough, divide it into appropriate portions, and shape them.
If you add strawberries to the red bean paste, the sweetness gains a touch of tartness for a refreshing taste.
Finish by decorating them as carp streamers, and they’re ready to enjoy.
[For Seniors] Recommended Events in May: A Collection of Ideas That Will Liven Things Up (11–20)
Recommended Exercises for May
Many senior and welfare facilities probably do daily exercises, don’t they? Here are some exercises perfect for May events and recreational activities.
Have the seniors share things that evoke May, and do exercises while singing May-related songs like “Koinobori.” You can incorporate these not only into special events and recreation, but also into your regular exercise routines.
By doing movements inspired by May, some seniors may feel a sense of the season.
It might even spark lively conversations about their memories of May.
Caregiving Exercise: The Apple Song
May is the season when we feel warmth and a refreshing breeze, isn’t it? The pleasant weather may inspire some older adults to get moving.
So let’s do some seated exercises suitable for elder care.
We’ll move along to the lyrics of “Ringo no Uta,” the first big hit song after the war.
If it’s a familiar song for older adults, it should make it easier to engage in the exercises.
Be sure to enjoy exercising while singing together.
Some older adults may find themselves humming the nostalgic lyrics and recalling fond memories.
Tea Picking Rec
From late April to early May is said to be the season for picking the first tea leaves.
Some older adults may enjoy fresh new tea.
For a May activity, how about a recreation set to the children’s song “Chatsumi” (Tea Picking)? Place long, thin strips of newspaper in a box and use sticks to scoop them up as if picking tea leaves.
Having older adults help cut the newspapers into long strips also provides fine motor training for their fingertips.
Doing this while singing or listening to “Chatsumi” can help them feel the season.
Picture letter of May
Etegami postcards are wonderful, aren’t they? Have you ever tried drawing one? Some people shy away, thinking they lack artistic talent or that it seems difficult, but these days there are plenty of tutorial videos and guidebooks.
The beauty of etegami is that even if it’s not perfect, your feelings still come through.
Why not draw one for someone you haven’t seen in a while or someone you want to thank? Your feelings will surely be conveyed, and they’ll be delighted.
