Lovely senior life

For Seniors: Simple and Fun! November Recreation Ideas

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
Work experience in a hospital as a physical therapistNakamū
I worked as a physical therapist at a general hospital for about four years. I’ve supported a wide range of patients, from those needing emergency rehabilitation to those doing rehabilitation at home at a comfortable pace. As a writer, I’d be happy to share health-related information with many people. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you!

Here are some November activities and recreations we recommend for older adults.

As November arrives, the scenery begins to shift from autumn to winter, and the temperatures drop quite a bit.

It’s a season where you can enjoy a different kind of seasonal beauty than in the height of autumn, but many older adults may find it hard to move as they’d like due to the cold and end up staying indoors.

With that in mind, this article gathers seasonal games and recreational activities that can be enjoyed indoors.

These ideas are also great for community gatherings and day service settings.

We hope everyone has fun together!

For Seniors: Simple and Fun! November Recreation Ideas (21–30)

Singing Brain-Training Exercise

Song Brain-Training Exercises for Seniors: 30-Minute Course – Recreation, Children’s Songs, Preventive Care, Day Service

Singing Brain-Training Exercise

This is an exercise routine that aims for fun and health by moving your body to songs, with autumn-themed music to help you feel the season.

We’ll start with warm-ups to loosen the whole body so it can move well later.

Moving your body while singing contributes to overall health, so easy-to-sing children’s songs are recommended; we’ll immerse ourselves in the world of the lyrics through movements that match them.

Rather than only following the suggested motions, it could also be interesting for each person to think about what kinds of movements they can come up with.

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calligraphy

Calligraphy Day

calligraphy

November is the height of autumn.

Speaking of autumn, it’s long been called the “season of the arts.” While we’d love to do something artistic in the fall, going out or preparing special tools can be a hassle.

That’s why I recommend calligraphy! Since many of us tried it several times in elementary school, it’s something you can attempt without much fuss.

How about choosing some autumn-themed words and enjoying writing them over and over?

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[For Seniors] Simple & Fun! November Recreation Ideas (31–40)

Let’s grill some pacific saury!

Let's grill Pacific saury! Recreation event ★ Refresh Life Shitoro, a fee-based nursing home

Let's grill some pacific saury!

This is a game that tests balance and fine motor skills, themed around sanma (Pacific saury), a classic autumn delicacy.

Inspired by the scene of grilling sanma on a mesh grate, players place paper sanma mascots onto a mesh set on top of paper cups.

Using chopsticks to place the fish on the mesh requires precise hand movements, and balancing where each fish goes is crucial.

To add excitement, you might also have players attempt it within a time limit to deliberately make them feel rushed.

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Making dried persimmons

Let's Make Dried Persimmons: The Ultimate Preserved Treat! [Beginner-Friendly, Anyone Can Do It]

Making dried persimmons

People say ‘autumn is the season of hearty appetites’ because the harvest is abundant then.

Persimmons are also a hallmark autumn crop.

Try looking for persimmons suitable for drying at markets and the like.

The more you have, the longer the prep—like peeling—will take, but how about turning it into a fun family activity? Dried persimmons are not only sweet and delicious; they also make a good preserved food.

And you can make them quite cheaply, too!

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What comes to mind when you think of [month]?

What comes to mind when you hear “◯ month”? Just answering boosts brain activity! Stimulate with onomatopoeia [Whiteboard Recreation]

What comes to mind when you think of [month]?

This is a quiz that uses onomatopoeia—sound-symbolic words like “gaya-gaya” or “wai-wai.” For example, prepare several answers to the prompt “What comes to mind when you think of November?” Then prepare onomatopoeic clues that correspond to those answers.

“When you think of November: shin-shin—now, what could that be?” And the quiz is complete.

If you hear the onomatopoeia “shin-shin,” you think of gently falling snow.

So the answer is: “When you think of November, it’s snow.” This is how the “What comes to mind in [month]?” quiz is made.

Of course, it can be applied to other months as well.

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All-You-Can-Pack Sushi Game

The recreation activity that caught the care manager’s attention: “All-You-Can-Pack Sushi Game”

All-You-Can-Pack Sushi Game

Let us introduce a recreation activity with a sushi theme that seniors love: the “All-You-Can-Pack Sushi Game”! Since November 1 is Sushi Day, it’s perfect for November activities.

Prepare plenty of sushi models and place them in the center of the table.

Players sit facing each other for a one-on-one match and use chopsticks to transfer as many pieces of sushi as possible onto their own paper plate.

Don’t forget to wrap vinyl tape around the tips of the chopsticks to make them less slippery! It also serves as good hand dexterity training for seniors, so feel free to use this idea for home or senior care facility activities.

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Makimaki Apple Game

Let's do this for tomorrow's recreation! It gets everyone excited at the day service! The Maki-Maki Rinko Game 🍎 #dayservice #elderly #elderlyrecreation #seniors #recreation #caregiving #preventivecare #braintraining #dementiaprevention #dementia #shorts

Makimaki Apple Game

This is a “Roll-Roll Apple” game where you use fine movements of your fingers and wrist to wind up tape! Attach a length of raffia (suzuran) tape to a piece of thick paper that will serve as a plate.

Fix the opposite end of the tape to a plastic wrap core so it can be wound up.

Place an apple made by crumpling paper on top of the thick paper, and you’re ready.

At the start signal, wind the tape to pull the apple toward you without letting it fall.

The person who gets their apple to the goal first wins.

If you panic, the apple will fall, so wind the tape quickly but carefully.

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