[For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October
In October, the heat eases and there are more days when the sunlight feels gentle.
There are also plenty of activities like autumn sports festivals and Sports Day, as well as seasonal events such as the Harvest Moon and Halloween.
October is full of fun.
Why not plan recreational events that let older adults enjoy the atmosphere of October?
Here are some event ideas, full of October flair, that seniors can enjoy.
Let’s bring seasonal joy to seniors, who may spend similar days, through events that highlight the time of year!
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[For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October (11–20)
Momotaro Game
Did you know that in Okayama Prefecture, October 7 is designated as “Momotaro Day”? Speaking of Momotaro, everyone knows he’s famous for ogre-slaying! So how about trying this “Momotaro Game,” a target-throwing game arranged to feel like ogre-slaying, as a fun activity for October? Teams of four—Momotaro, the Dog, the Monkey, and the Pheasant—take down various ogres, each worth different points.
You’ll throw beanbags made to look like millet dumplings.
Work together and defeat as many ogres as you can!
Karaoke Contest
A karaoke contest is sure to liven up your Mother’s Day recreation.
When you host one, it’s a good idea to prepare equipment to play music and a monitor so the lyrics are easy to see.
Asking in advance what songs people like will help the event run smoothly on the day.
It’s also great to prepare handheld instruments like hand clappers, tambourines, and maracas to amp up the fun during performances.
Be mindful of everyone’s health, and have a wonderful karaoke contest!
Crazy Party Night: The Revenge of the Pumpkin
This content recreates the dance from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “Crazy Party Night ~Pumpkin no Gyakushū~,” which portrays the spookiness and fun of Halloween.
The track is notable for its powerful beat and sound expressions in the lyrics, so firmly catching the light, buoyant rhythm is the key to moving your body enjoyably.
The choreography mainly features simple upper-body movements overall, so if the steps are difficult, try doing it while seated in a chair.
It’s a comical dance with a cute vibe, making it a routine that lets you feel the atmosphere of a fun Halloween night with your whole body.
Ghost Fireworks Ondo
Ghosts are an essential motif for Halloween, but in Japan they also strongly evoke summertime.
It might be interesting to incorporate this piece—depicting a summer festival scene themed around ghosts—into your Halloween.
A key feature is the inclusion of ondō elements, making the rhythm easy to grasp so you can move calmly and enjoyably.
Express the fun with swaying, ghost-like motions and Bon Odori-style movements.
Whirling Ghost
When it comes to easy Halloween costumes, a sheet ghost might be the go-to choice.
All you have to do is throw a white sheet over yourself, so it’s simple to put on and easy to take off when you’re done.
If you’re making it yourself, cut a white piece of fabric into a rectangle, fold it, and cut a hole in the folded edge to create an opening for your head.
Then make a ghost face out of felt or similar material and stick it on.
You can probably make one with a white plastic trash bag, too.
Wearing a white T-shirt and drawing a ghost face on it is also fine! It’s a costume that’s easy to try regardless of age, so seniors are welcome to join in as well.
Rock, paper, scissors with pumpkin
It’s a pumpkin-themed activity—perfect for Halloween—that combines the hand shapes of rock, scissors, and paper.
It’s a dance that was aired on “Shimajiro no Wao,” and the light, rhythmic hand movements get your body moving well.
The lower body focuses on bending and stretching; if that’s difficult, doing it seated in a chair is also recommended.
Keep the rock–scissors–paper hand shapes in mind and move your upper body thoroughly, from fingertips to shoulders.
Since the quick tempo can be tricky to catch, it might be a good idea to practice the movements first and then try them with the music once you’re comfortable.
[For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October (21–30)
Thriller dance
It’s that highlight scene from Michael Jackson’s iconic music video Thriller where the ghosts gather and perform a creepy dance.
Since ghosts are an essential motif for Halloween, how about an exercise routine inspired by this scene? Because it’s originally a dance, the steps might seem challenging, but if you sit in a chair and focus on upper-body movements, you can enjoy moving your body.
Replace the stepping with marching in place, and try to faithfully recreate those lunging, attacking arm movements.
It may be hard to match the song’s tempo right away, so it’s best to learn the motions first and gradually increase the speed.