For Seniors: Simple and Fun! November Recreation Ideas
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] Fun Autumn Activities: Recreation Games
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- [For Seniors] Let’s Make It Together! Wonderful November Wall Decoration Ideas
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Day-service activities also recommended! Craft ideas for November
- [For Seniors] Guaranteed to Be a Hit! Popular Day Service Recreational Activities
- For Seniors: Easy and Delicious! November Snack Activity
- [For Seniors] Liven Up November Day Services! Fun Autumn Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Simple crafts that feel like autumn: a fun creative activity
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Have Fun! A Collection of Group Game Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun and Lively! Recommended Quiz Questions
[For Seniors] Simple & Fun! November Recreation Ideas (41–50)
Snack Activity: Marron Cream
Why not try making chestnut cream using store-bought candied chestnuts? To make it, blend the chestnuts with sugar and milk until smooth, then transfer to a pot and cook until thick and velvety.
Chill to finish.
If you don’t have a blender, you can press the mixture through a sieve instead.
Sieving can be hard work, but taking turns with everyone can make it a fun way to chat together.
It’s great spread on bread or crackers, or paired with sponge cake to make a chestnut cake.
[For Seniors] Simple & Fun! November Recreation Ideas (51–60)
Snack activity: chestnut ohagi (sweet rice cakes)
Here’s a recipe for super-cute “Chestnut Ohagi”! Put cooked rice, sugar, and salt in a bowl, mix well, and mash until it becomes slightly sticky.
Once ready, divide the mixture into five portions in the bowl.
Place some rice on plastic wrap, put a candied chestnut on top, and use the wrap to shape and wrap it.
Make five of these.
Roll each rice ball in kinako (roasted soybean flour) to coat it all over, then cover the top half with smooth red bean paste and shape it like a chestnut.
Using plastic wrap here also makes it easier.
The kinako is optional, so you can leave the rice plain if you prefer.
Finally, use sesame seeds to make the chestnut’s eyes, and you’re done! Since this recipe requires no heat or knives, it should be safe and comfortable for older adults to make as well.
sweet potato pudding
This is a recipe for sweet potato pudding made with just four simple ingredients and only a microwave.
Soften the sweet potato in the microwave, then mash it thoroughly.
Mix milk, sugar, and eggs together, and gradually incorporate them into the mashed sweet potato.
Pour the mixture into a heatproof container, cover with dampened paper towel, microwave, then chill to finish.
Garnish with whipped cream or mint leaves if you like for an extra touch of elegance!
grapes
Grapes, an autumn delicacy, have a particularly striking appearance among fruits, don’t they? Grapes are also a classic subject for torn-paper collage, so why not give it a try? You create each grape by tearing pieces of washi paper, ads, or other paper, but it’s okay if they don’t tear into perfect circles.
A variety of large and small grapes is great, and using just one color is fine too.
Grapes probably don’t even need an initial sketch, so they make a casual, easy motif for activities like day-service recreational programs.
Grape Fruiche Mousse
Here’s a creative recipe using Fruche.
For this one, we’ll use Fruche Rich Blueberry Grape.
First, add milk to the Fruche and mix well.
Next, whip heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks, then add the Fruche mixture and combine.
Transfer it to a piping bag, pipe into glasses, and chill in the refrigerator for one hour.
After an hour, take it out and top with grapes and muscat grapes to finish.
Once November comes, we often spend time in warm, heated rooms, so a chilled treat like this is nice, isn’t it?
Wreath of maple and ginkgo leaves
Let’s fold origami maple and ginkgo leaves and make a wreath! Both the maple and the ginkgo are folded up to the same basic form, and then the folds differ from there, so it’s a good idea to prepare the basic form first.
Both involve some fine, offset folds that may feel a bit tricky, but be sure to fold the details carefully.
Make three of each, connect them together to form a ring, and your wreath is complete.
Try making it with origami paper in your favorite colors!
Chocolate-coated honey apple
If you like chocolate, why not try making these Chocolate-Covered Candied Apples? They take a little time, but the steps are very simple! First, peel the apples and cut them into eight wedges.
Arrange the sliced apples in a frying pan, add granulated sugar and lemon juice, and simmer until the apples’ moisture cooks off.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Once the liquid has evaporated, lay the apples on a sheet and dry them in the oven at 100–120°C (212–248°F) for about an hour on each side.
Coat the apples in chopped, melted chocolate, chill until set, and they’re done.
Since the baking time is long, it’s the perfect chance to enjoy a good chat while you wait!