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

Get in a circle and amp it up! Ball game

Pitching Rec: Get Excited in a Circle! Recreation Using a Rubber Ball [Senior Brain-Training Exercise]

A recreation activity where everyone sits on chairs, forms a circle, and tosses a ball to each other.

Since you never know who will get the ball next, it’s a thrilling, heart-pounding game.

Forming a circle also helps deepen interaction among participants, which is a big plus.

And because a rubber ball is used, it’s safe as well.

As for how to throw, you can pass it with a one-bounce method, which builds strength by bouncing the ball off the ground.

It’s also exciting to fake a throw to add a bit of feinting and liven things up.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nanaka

Report a problem

Animal sound brain training

[Whiteboard Brain Training] See and react! Answer with the animal sounds. Difficulty ★★★ Senior Recreation

It’s a game where you read the written name of an animal, think about which sound that animal makes, and answer.

It tests your ability to connect memories—how quickly you can imagine the sound from the animal’s name.

Start by checking which animal makes which sound, then move on to the letter chart.

Because you can reach the answer by thinking carefully, it’s also important to be mindful of speed.

The process of thinking from the written word and then saying it aloud helps activate the brain.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

Northern Country Spring Exercises

Northern Country Spring Exercises

We would like to introduce an exercise set to the classic song “Kitaguni no Haru,” which most older adults are likely familiar with.

March in place during the intro, then raise and lower your hands, do open-and-close (grip-and-release) movements, and tap your hands, shoulders, and knees.

There are also twisting motions for the neck and torso, so be careful not to overexert yourself.

It’s a good idea to review the movements beforehand if it’s your first time.

When doing this as a recreation activity at a senior facility, giving prompts such as “Next is marching in place,” each time will make it more enjoyable.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Word Bingo!

[Dementia Prevention] Bingo with Words! — The “Words Starting with ‘Ka’” Edition — Also recommended as a recreation activity for day service centers!

Let’s enjoy a wordplay-based bingo game called Word Bingo! The bingo card has 9 squares, and you fill them with words that match a given theme.

For example, if the theme is “words that start with ‘ka,’” you fill the squares with words that begin with ‘ka’ that you can think of.

When the representative announces their nine ‘ka’ words, check whether any of them match the words on your card; if they do, mark them.

You win when you complete a line vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

A great thing about this bingo is that it’s fun for large groups.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Let’s find words within a word.

Recreation for seniors: super easy and fun brain training even during the COVID-19 pandemic! Word-search game

I’d like to introduce a game where everyone can play at the same time and get excited: a “find words inside a word” game.

In this game, you rearrange or extract letters from a given target word and see how many other words you can make.

For example, if the target is “とうもろこし” (corn), you can make words like “うし” (cow) or “しも” (frost).

Decide on a target word and a time limit, and you can compete to see who can find the most words.

You can also share with each other, saying, “Here are the words I found.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

combined paper cup

Senior recreation · cooperate together · exciting/engaging · combined paper cups

Here’s an introduction to a recreational activity called “Combining Paper Cups.” Prepare one rubber band with several strings tied to it.

Using the rubber band setup, pick up a paper cup and stack it onto another.

Adjust the rubber band by pulling or loosening the strings.

It’s a fun game that also provides gentle arm exercise, making it highly recommended.

Because it’s done with several people, it naturally encourages cooperation and interaction, which helps promote communication.

Talking with others also stimulates the brain, offering potential brain-training benefits.

The interaction itself becomes something to look forward to and can help you feel more lively and positive each day.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Treasure Hunt Game

Recreation for seniors: Newspaper activities and an easy one-handed treasure hunt

Let me introduce a treasure-hunt game you can enjoy using just one hand.

You’ll need a cardboard box, a basket, some newspaper, and lots of colorful balls.

Put the balls in the box, then tear the newspaper and add it on top so the balls are hidden.

Place a basket next to the box, and you’re ready.

Decide which color ball will be the “treasure,” then on “Ready, go!” reach into the box with one hand and search for the balls.

The first person to pull out three balls of the designated color wins.

It’s fun with small numbers or in groups, making it a great recommendation for recreational activities in senior care facilities.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem