[Easy to Start!] Simple Recreational Activities to Enjoy in Nursing Homes
The more difficult a recreation activity is, the more effective it can be for brain training and physical benefits—but for people who aren’t fond of such activities, it can become even more off-putting.
There’s also the issue that activities requiring a lot of preparation or elaborate materials can be hard to set up.
In this article, we’ll introduce easy, enjoyable recreational activities.
How about using simple, convenient activities to spark communication? And if you’re getting tired of the basics, adding just a small twist can make them much more fun!
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- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Recommended Easy Strength Training
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- Recommended simple exercises for recreational activities for the elderly
[You Can Do It Right Away!] Simple Recreational Activities to Enjoy at Nursing Homes (21–30)
Beanbag Bingo
This is a game where players alternately place beanbags on a grid, and the first to make a line of four wins.
It’s important to aim to complete a line with your own color, but you should also be mindful of blocking your opponent’s line.
Using beanbags is another key feature—the action of carrying and placing them on the grid helps develop grip strength and provides arm exercise.
The game strongly emphasizes strategic thinking, as play style varies by player, so you’ll need to adapt your strategy depending on your opponent.
By playing repeatedly, you may even discover your own surefire winning methods.
karaoke
Karaoke is something you can enjoy even in a short bit of free time, and it’s great for relieving stress.
There’s a unique pleasure in singing at the top of your lungs that nothing else can replace.
Solo karaoke is fun, but getting lively with a group also sounds exciting.
Another way to enjoy karaoke is to use a machine with a scoring feature.
It will surely motivate you to go to karaoke.
Plus, since it analyzes your singing voice, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to improve.
Tower game
Here’s an idea for a tower game that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Stack paper cups to build a tower, and once it’s complete, place a ball on top.
You can challenge yourself to see how fast you can do it, or compete against another person for extra fun.
In this kind of tower game, it’s common for the tower to collapse if you rush.
Try to proceed with a bit of tension, wondering, “Will I knock it down?” That way, when you manage to do it quickly, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.
PET bottle bingo
This is a game where you alternately place plastic bottle caps on a base made of a board with rods attached, aiming to create a row of four of your own color.
The key feature is its three-dimensional structure, stacking upward, which offers strategic maneuvers different from a flat board.
Because the caps have holes that slide onto the rods, it also helps develop fine motor skills and concentration.
It’s easy to focus on horizontal rows because they’re more visible, but the key to winning is how you mix in vertical and diagonal rows within that play.
Bowling
I’m sure there are many people who used to enjoy bowling when they were younger.
Why not try a handmade version you can enjoy indoors? Use plastic bottles as pins, and a rubber ball you can pick up at a 100-yen shop for the bowling ball.
You can make the plastic bottles all the same size, or vary the sizes and turn it into a point-based game to make it more exciting.
It’s also a great idea to decorate the pins by wrapping them with colored construction paper.
Let everyone experience the satisfying feeling when the pins topple over.
Easy to make! Ping-pong Ball Bingo
Bingo is usually something you enjoy on paper, but how about trying a more game-like version? Ping-Pong Ball Bingo is a tabletop bingo game using an egg carton and ping-pong balls.
To make the base, simply prepare four empty egg cartons, open them up, and staple the four together—done! To play, place the egg cartons in the middle of the table and bounce ping-pong balls on the table so they land in the cartons.
If you line up three or more balls of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, you win.
Split into teams by ball color and face off!
Get Excited! Beanbag Toss Bingo Game
It’s a cooperative game where everyone aims for bingo, incorporating the action of tossing beanbags.
Nine baskets are placed in the center of a seated circle, and players throw beanbags to land them on top of each basket.
If you place five or more beanbags, you clear that basket, and you work toward bingo using the baskets you’ve cleared.
In addition to adjusting the strength of each throw, be sure to focus on cooperating so your beanbags don’t collide with your teammates’.
It’s a game that lets everyone enjoy striving for a common goal while getting plenty of physical activity.