For Seniors: Enjoy Every Day! A Collection of Senior Recreation Ideas

Proverb Match

[Senior Recreation] Card Game: Proverb Matching!

Let me introduce a proverb matching game that stimulates your vocabulary while having fun.

First, prepare 20–30 proverbs and write the first half and second half on separate cards.

Lay the cards out randomly on a table and look for pairs that form complete proverbs by matching the first halves with the second halves.

Because it uses familiar Japanese proverbs, it encourages you to revisit your memory, rediscover culture and general knowledge, and activate cognitive functions.

The sense of achievement when you find the correct pair can also boost self-esteem! It will be even more exciting if you split into teams or pairs and work together.

Please give it a try.

Pseudo curling

Today's rec: 'Nanchatte Curling' (Mock/Just-for-fun Curling)

Here’s a sit-down, casual curling-style game you can enjoy.

Participants sit in chairs and hold a stick.

Use the stick to push a wheeled cart so it slides along a curling-style course.

Beforehand, write point values on the floor to set the targets.

Compete to see how many points you can score.

It’s best to write the target numbers large so they’re easy to see.

Since players only need to push the wheeled cart, even those with less strength can join in, making it a game everyone can enjoy.

Please play within comfortable limits so you can enjoy it safely!

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mayumi

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The “Haa” game

“Haa” Game: How to Play Video

I’d like to introduce a game called “Haa Game,” where everyone acts out prompts and guesses each other’s roles.

Staff make handmade voting cards and voting chips using drawing paper, hand them out, and then everyone selects one prompt card from the set we prepared.

After distributing an Act Card to each person, act out the prompt’s line according to the situation assigned to you.

When acting, you may only use your voice and facial expressions.

The others consider which kind of “haa” you’re performing and vote.

After everyone has acted, reveal the correct answers.

Each correct guesser earns 1 point, and the performer earns points equal to the number of people who guessed correctly.

The player with the most points wins! It’s a game that encourages active communication while giving your brain a workout.

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mayumi

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A game where you create prefecture names using 16 katakana characters

[Elderly Recreation] Rec Master Series Part 16: 'Find the Prefecture'

Let me introduce a fun thinking game where you create Japanese prefecture names using 16 katakana characters.

Write one katakana character per square on a sheet, preparing a paper with 16 characters.

Then, combine the katakana to see how many prefecture names you can form and compete for the highest count.

It’s likely to get lively if you split into teams, set a time limit at each table, and take on the challenge.

It’s also a fun game that can help prevent cognitive decline and stimulate communication, so give it a try.

You might discover something new!

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mayumi

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Colorful Card Rec – Idiom Quiz

[Senior Recreation] Quick Brain Training! Recreation Using Handmade Cards [Preventive Care, Day Service Activities, Elderly Care]

This is an idiom quiz that looks like it could strengthen language skills.

In this version, you look at several prompts and answer which body part they have in common.

For example, if the idioms are “cut through the wind,” “shrug,” and “breathe,” the common body part would be “shoulder.” In Japanese, you often hear expressions like “cut through the wind with your shoulders,” “shrug your shoulders,” and “breathe with your shoulders.” Try creating questions like this.

Since these are expressions everyone knows, it should be fun for groups.

As a variation, it could also be fun to work backward from a body part to come up with related idioms.

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Colorful Card Rec: Fish Edition Quiz

[Senior Recreation] Quick Brain Training! Recreation Using Handmade Cards [Preventive Care, Day Service Activities, Elderly Care]

From the familiar to the unfamiliar, you can freely adjust the difficulty! Introducing the Fish Radical Quiz.

There are so many kanji that use the fish radical, and their readings change dramatically depending on the character on the right.

In this quiz, you keep switching the right-hand component and guess how the kanji is read.

Thinking about which fish it might represent mobilizes memory, reasoning, and language comprehension, providing excellent cognitive stimulation.

It also encourages lively communication among participants with fish-related topics.

Using colorful cards makes it visually fun too—be sure to make some and give it a try!

Communication Card

[Magical Brain-Training Cards] Communication Cards [Brain Training + Communication]

If you’re looking for a card game that energizes the brain and the heart, this is a must-see! Here’s how to play a communication card game.

The rules are very simple: prepare several cards with prompts such as flowers, animals, colors, or foods.

The person who draws a card names three things related to the word on the card.

For example, if someone draws a card that says “Flowers,” it’s OK if they can name three flower names like tulip, cherry blossom, and dandelion.

It seems great for improving vocabulary and memory! If you add twists to the prompts, like “Something great about the person next to you” or “Something that made you happy recently,” the conversation will definitely take off.

Give it a try!