[For Seniors] Recreation Games Related to October Events
October is when the heat finally eases and autumn truly sets in.
The weather is getting cooler, and there are probably more days that feel comfortable.
Autumn is full of exciting events like Halloween and sports festivals.
This time, we’ll introduce recreation ideas related to October’s events.
Since some seniors may find it difficult to go out, we’ve focused on activities that can be enjoyed indoors.
Please use these as a reference and have a wonderful time together!
- [For Seniors] Fun Autumn Activities: Recreation Games
- [October Health Topic] Introducing Recreational Activities for Seniors!
- [For Seniors] Fun Halloween Games: Ideas to Enjoy with Ghosts, Mummies, and Spiderwebs
- [For Senior Care Facilities] Fun! Recommended Events for October
- [For Seniors] Simple crafts that feel like autumn: a fun creative activity
- [For Seniors] A Fun Sports Day! Recreational Activities You Can Do Safely
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Simple and Fun! November Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Snack Recipes We Want to Make in the October Recreation Activity
- [For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enjoy October
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
[For Seniors] Recreation Games Related to October Events (11–20)
Chestnut Picking Game
For those who have gone chestnut picking, how about a nostalgic autumn-themed recreation? First, prepare plenty of bottle caps with pictures of chestnuts and acorns attached.
Using small tongs and baskets you can buy at a 100-yen shop, compete to see how many chestnuts you can pick up within the time limit.
Overcome obstacles like caps flipped face down or confusing acorns, and try to collect as many chestnuts as possible.
You can compete by table, face off against the person sitting across from you, and enjoy various other matchups as well.
Newspaper Pull-Out Game
A game where you keep pulling out endlessly connected newspaper strips! Connect newspaper sheets into a long band, roll them up like a roll of toilet paper, and set them in a box.
Then, at the start signal, just pull the newspaper out from the box! Whoever pulls it all out first wins! It’s easy to prepare and can be played over and over, so running a tournament is also recommended.
To prevent the newspaper sheets from sticking together, make sure they are thoroughly dry before rolling them.
Autumn Association Game
In an association game, you instantly imagine various things based on a prompt from the quizmaster, which helps train memory and thinking skills.
Themes are endless—like “What comes to mind with autumn?” or “What comes to mind with the color red?”—ranging from seasonal and natural imagery to everyday items.
It’s great because you don’t need any special preparation and you can play anytime, anywhere.
Set rules like “30-second time limit,” turn it into a team buzzer competition, and enjoy different ways to play.
It’s also fun to write down the associated words on a whiteboard for everyone to see.
Snack activity: pumpkin pudding
Let’s make pumpkin pudding using pumpkins, the first thing that comes to mind as a Halloween motif! The ingredients are pumpkin, eggs, milk, granulated sugar, sugar, and water and hot water.
Peel the pumpkin, cut it into rough chunks, boil it, then pass it through a sieve and mix in the sugar.
Beat the eggs, add the granulated sugar, and mix well; then add milk warmed to about 60°C and stir in the pumpkin paste.
Pour the mixture into pudding cups lined with caramel on the bottom, heat in a steam convection oven or similar, and you’ll have a pudding with the exquisite, rustic sweetness of pumpkin.
Shiitake Cultivation and Harvesting
An event where you can enjoy everything from cultivation to harvest using a store-bought shiitake mushroom growing kit.
Regular shiitake picking usually requires going to a farm, or even to the mountains for a more authentic experience, which can be a big undertaking.
This, however, can be done indoors, making it easy for older adults to get started.
The process of harvesting shiitake mushrooms you’ve grown with your own hands creates a sense of excitement that’s different from typical recreational activities.
It’s a highly creative event where you can enjoy the flavors of autumn alongside Halloween.
Pacific saury catching
Autumn is the season for reading, appetite, sports, and the arts—there’s so much to enjoy.
It’s also known for having many delicious seasonal foods, like rice and fruits.
And among the fish that represent autumn, pacific saury (sanma) is surely one many of you look forward to.
Let’s enjoy a game using sanma! Use chopsticks to pick up the many sanma placed on a grilling rack and serve them onto a plate.
If that’s too easy, try the challenge with your non-dominant hand.
How many can you place on the plate?
[For Seniors] Recreation Games Related to October Events (21–30)
Halloween party
October means Halloween! Halloween originally was a religious event to celebrate the autumn harvest and drive away evil spirits.
In Japan, it’s often associated with young people dressing up and children asking for sweets.
It might feel unfamiliar to some older adults, but why not take this opportunity to host a Halloween party? Just dressing up and sharing treats together can be lots of fun!
