[For Seniors] Enjoy May! Recommended Recreational Activities and Games
May is full of events, isn’t it?
Did you know that in addition to Children’s Day and Mother’s Day, there are also days like Makeup Day and Hyakunin Isshu Day?
In this article, we’ll introduce May-themed recreational activities and games for seniors.
It’s perfect for those thinking, “What should we do for May activities?”
With the warm weather, why not enjoy recreation not only indoors but also outdoors?
These activities will enrich the minds and bodies of older adults.
Let’s savor the feeling of the season in May through these recreational ideas.
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[For Seniors] Enjoy May! Recommended Recreational Activities and Games (31–40)
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.
Shishamo Game
In May, carp streamers swim pleasantly through the sky, don’t they? As you might expect, it’s hard to grab a swimming carp streamer with a quick “gotcha!”, but tiny smelt—especially ones made of paper—should be easy to catch! Shishamo are in season in autumn, but since they can be frozen, we can enjoy them all year round now.
Here’s a shishamo game that uses that theme! Make little shishamo by rolling small pieces of paper into tubes and drawing eyes and fins.
Insert a straw or similar, and compete to see how quickly you can transfer them to the neighboring plate.
Since you use your hands and fingers, it’s great for rehabilitation too! Savor an autumn delicacy in May—try grabbing it fast!
Let’s take a bath with iris leaves
May 5th is Tango no Sekku, also known as the Iris Festival.
How about trying a shobu-yu (iris leaf bath)? Iris leaves have long been regarded as an herb that wards off evil.
A shobu-yu is said to have many benefits, including promoting circulation and easing pain.
Warm your body while enjoying the pleasant fragrance of the iris leaves, and stay healthy as the seasons change!
Fly, carp streamer!
Throwing carp streamers? It’s “Fly, carp streamer!” You stuff paper or something similar into a small fabric carp streamer to add a bit of weight, then take turns launching the carp streamer.
You can compete to see who can throw it the farthest, toss it into a target zone with point values to compete on score, or make it a team competition.
It’s an easy recreation activity you can even do while seated.
Carnation bouquet
Mother’s Day is in May, isn’t it? Some senior homes and welfare facilities may also hold Mother’s Day events.
When it comes to Mother’s Day gifts, carnations are the classic choice.
Here, we’ll introduce an origami bouquet featuring carnations.
Fold origami paper and use scissors to cut and shape the carnations.
Make the stems and leaves as well, then attach the carnation flowers.
Create several carnations, place them in an origami bouquet sleeve, and you’re done.
The finished bouquets can be presented by staff to senior residents as Mother’s Day gifts.
Of course, this also makes a great craft project for May.
[For Seniors] Enjoy May! Recommended Recreations and Games (41–50)
Total Concentration PET-bottle Kendama
Did you know that May 14 is Kendama Day? It’s said that when older adults play kendama, it brings back memories and activates the brain.
Also, moving the arms and fingertips and guiding the body to a target position is very good for both the brain and the body.
Why not try making this kendama yourself and playing with it? It’s easy to make: tie a string to the opening of a plastic bottle, and attach a paper cup to the other end of the string.
That’s it! Hold the bottle by the body and try to catch the opening side with the paper cup to play.
Tug-of-war with newspaper hats
Here’s a simple recreation you can do with just a newspaper: “Newspaper Hat Tug-of-War.” Punch two fairly large holes in a sheet of newspaper, and have two people sit side by side, each putting their head through one of the holes.
At the starting signal, they pull against each other; whoever’s side tears loses.
If you pull too hard, your own side might tear, so try balancing pushing and pulling as you play.
Wearing a newspaper samurai-style helmet (kabuto) really lifts the mood, too!