Recreation Popularity Rankings for Seniors
We’ll introduce recreational activities for seniors in a ranked format.
The focus is on indoor activities that can be enjoyed even by those with weak legs or who have difficulty going out.
If you’re looking for recreation that seniors will enjoy, want games that can be done while seated, or need activities with simple rules, please use this as a reference.
These ideas can also be used during recreation time at day service centers and care facilities.
Let’s create fun moments together.
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Refresh Your Mood! Lively, Get-Moving Games
- Recreation Activities Effective for Long-Term Care Prevention for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities in Nursing Homes
- [For Seniors] Recommended Easy Strength Training
- [For Seniors] Have Fun and Relieve Stress! Introducing Dances Everyone Can Enjoy Together
- [For Seniors] Fun Autumn Activities: Recreation Games
Recreation Popularity Rankings for Seniors (Ages 61–70)
What is something that a younger brother has two of, but a younger sister has only one of?64rank/position
People with siblings have probably felt various forms of unfairness in long-lasting relationships.
This riddle evokes that kind of relationship and asks: what is something that two younger brothers and one younger sister each have? Since it’s a wordplay riddle, it’s not actually about real sibling unfairness; the key is to think about what exactly is being asked.
The hint is to think of each word as text: if you convert the kanji into hiragana, the answer appears.
The answer is the hiragana character “と”; when you write “おとうと” (younger brother) and “いもうと” (younger sister) in hiragana, it becomes obvious.
There used to be a part-time job where workers pushed people into crowded trains when they couldn’t get on. What is the name of this job, which was introduced at what is now JR Shinjuku Station in 1955?65rank/position
The part-time workers hired to push people into trains when they couldn’t board the packed cars introduced at what is now JR Shinjuku Station in 1955 (Showa 30) were called “oshiya” (pushers).
As commuting rush-hour congestion worsened and delays became routine, these oshiaya—mainly student part-timers—were brought in to ensure on-time departures.
You might think that in today’s world, where announcements sometimes say “Please don’t push,” this job would have disappeared, but it turns out they are still regularly recruited as “service staff” to help prevent delays and ensure safety.
Is salmon a white-fleshed fish or a red-fleshed fish?66rank/position
- egg white
- lean meat
See the answer
egg white
Because fish with red flesh are called akami (red meat) and those with white flesh are shiromi (white meat), many people will of course answer “red meat!” for salmon based on its appearance—making it a bit of a trick question. Salmon’s lateral muscles are actually composed of white muscle, and when they are fry their flesh is white, but it becomes redder as they grow. They contain astaxanthin—the same pigment found in shrimp and crabs—which makes them look red.
Red bean and cheese hotteok67rank/position
How about trying “anko cheese hotteok,” where the sweetness of red bean paste and the saltiness of cheese create a wonderfully exquisite balance? Hotteok is a traditional snack that’s popular at Korean street stalls.
Some older adults may not be familiar with it, so this is a great chance to try a new flavor! It’s very easy to make.
Put the ingredients in a bowl and knead until there’s no dry flour left.
Since we’re using pancake mix, it’s nice that you can make it with just a few ingredients.
Wrap smooth red bean paste and cheese in the dough, seal it tightly, and then cook it.
Using a griddle lets you enjoy the cooking process, too.
Relax and enjoy the soothing combination of gooey, melty cheese and sweet anko!
beanbag pouch68rank/position
A game like the beanbag toss at a school sports day—this is a beanbag-in-the-hole game.
The beanbags have a nice weight, are easy to grip, and are perfect for throwing.
For the target, you cut round holes in a cardboard box and aim to throw the beanbags through those holes.
You can play while seated or standing.
Team play gets exciting too: if the beanbags don’t reach the holes and gather around them, you can knock them in by hitting those beanbags.
You can compete between teams by counting how many beanbags land in the holes, or enjoy it as an individual event.
Quiz69rank/position
When it comes to classic recreational activities, quizzes are a staple! We call them “quizzes” in a single word, but there are so many variations that they’re easy to enjoy and you never get bored—perfect for group fun.
You can hold a hand-raising quiz themed around your event, use multiple-choice questions, or go with yes-or-no questions.
It’s also great to have everyone hold two colored cards and answer like a true-or-false quiz—there’s no limit on the number of participants, so it’s highly recommended.
Obscure trivia quizzes are fun too—you’ll discover lots of things you didn’t know!
Local Specialty Quiz70rank/position
A perfect option for brain training is the “Local Specialties Quiz.” Most people have a rough idea of each prefecture’s famous products.
This quiz simply asks you to name them.
Some prefectures are known for multiple specialties, so in those cases, prepare several choices and have participants pick the one that isn’t a local specialty.
Since it’s a quiz that heavily tests memory, it’s great to try repeatedly and aim for a perfect score.
If you come across a specialty that piques your interest during the quiz, try looking into it in detail—or even tasting it yourself.
