[For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes

Ping-pong ball catch

Now hiring care workers! Is there anyone who can plan recreation activities like these??? #nursinghome #careworkers #recreation

May and June, when temperatures gradually rise and it feels good to get moving, are the perfect season for exercise.

Prepare some fun activities and gently loosen up bodies that got sluggish over the winter! This time, we’re introducing “Ping-Pong Ball Catch.” Attach strips of duct tape in a grid pattern across a hula hoop, then have someone hold it with the sticky side facing up.

From a distance, throw ping-pong balls and have them catch the balls on the taped area.

Adjust the size of the hoop according to participants’ abilities so everyone can enjoy it.

It also serves as upper-limb training while you play, making it a great recommendation for recreational activities in senior care facilities.

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kojifumi

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Target practice with plastic bottles

[Kamo Day Service Ai] Recreation / Target Practice with Plastic Bottles #shorts #nursingcare #fun #dayservicerecreation

Let’s try a challenge while sitting in a chair or wheelchair! Here’s an idea for a “PET bottle target-shooting” game.

By including activities that can be done while seated, how about reducing resistance to exercise even just a little? For PET bottle target-shooting, combine a cut plastic bottle or a plastic cup with a balloon to launch a ball toward the target.

It works well to stack paper cups to create the targets.

With focused aiming, you’ll likely knock down all the targets and feel great!

Paper core feed

Showdown! #DayService #Recreation #Nichinan #Miyazaki #Teamwork #DayServiceRecreation #Rec

Games that everyone cooperates on really get people interacting and create a lively atmosphere.

This time, we’d like to introduce “Paper Core Relay,” a game with simple movements that anyone can enjoy.

Prepare a long table, and have both teams sit along the sides.

Stretch a strip of plastic ribbon (suzuran tape) from end to end, and have the first and last players hold each end of the tape.

At the start signal, the first player begins threading paper cores onto the tape one after another.

The team that sends even one more paper core than the opposing team within the time limit wins.

It’s also fun to plan strategies together!

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Tug-of-war with a newspaper using your feet

Quick “newspaper tug-of-war” with feet

Tug-of-war is one of the most exciting events at a sports day, isn’t it? It brings everyone together to cheer as a team and deepens communication.

This time’s “newspaper tug-of-war with your feet” can be done while seated, making it an easy activity for older adults of all abilities to join.

To keep it safe, be sure to sit firmly in a chair and hold onto the handrail while participating! The key to winning is to skillfully use your feet to pull the newspaper toward you.

Please enjoy it together with everyone.

Using your feet also helps strengthen your muscles and core, so it’s highly recommended.

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Nanaka

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Bell cracking

[Day Service] Sports Day

The real thrill of a sports day is everyone on the team doing their best and getting lively over wins and losses, right? This time, we’d like to introduce “Suzu-wari,” a team event that really gets the crowd going.

You’ll need two large colanders, red and white tissue paper flowers, and some balls.

Attach the red and white tissue paper to the large colanders, then face the openings of the colanders together and stick them to create a big kusudama (paper ball).

If you put small pieces of paper in various colors inside, it’ll look beautiful when it opens, like a shower of confetti.

Once you hang the kusudama, all that’s left is for the players to throw balls at it! It’s fun and also serves as training from the shoulder to the fingertips, so even those who aren’t fond of rehabilitation will be happy to participate with this activity.

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Escape from the Balloon Tower

[Cheerful Recreation 🏀] 100-yen store activity gets super lively! Did the balloon escape from the tower?

Seasonal events are very important for older adults.

Among them, the spring and autumn sports days are great opportunities to show what they can do.

This is especially recommended for seniors who enjoy physical activity.

The game we’re introducing, Escape from the Balloon Tower, involves building a tower with zip ties, placing balloons inside, and fanning them out of the tower using uchiwa (hand fans).

Four teams compete.

Because players fan with full effort, it’s a good way to strengthen the hands and arms.

You time the attempts, and the team with the fastest time wins—making it a very exciting game.

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Nanaka

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Balloon Baseball

[Cheerful Rec 🏀] Home Run Derby at 80! Next week’s activity has to be this: Balloon Baseball Game

Aim for a home run! Here’s an idea for balloon baseball.

The hardball used in regular baseball is very hard and makes a sharp “clang!” when it hits the bat.

This time, let’s try balloon baseball by using a balloon instead of a hardball.

What you’ll need: duct tape, a balloon, and a pool noodle.

Place the roll of duct tape on the table as is, and set an inflated balloon on top of it.

Grip the pool noodle firmly, and if you give it a good swing to launch the balloon, it’ll feel refreshing, too.

It’s also nice that you can try it while seated.