Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
Here are some recommended recreational activities themed around Setsubun.
Setsubun is one of the major events in February, so many nursing homes and day service centers likely enjoy fun activities like bean-throwing (mamemaki) and making masks.
While everyone does the recreation—grabbing beans and throwing them at the “oni” (ogres)—it might bring back memories of childhood.
There are also plenty of hand games and activities that can be done while seated, so everyone can enjoy them together.
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
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- [For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using a Variety of Materials
- [Day Service] Setsubun decorations that bring smiles. Ideas for enjoying them with a variety of materials.
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- For Seniors: Wishing for Good Health — Handmade Setsubun Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
[For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing (1–10)
Setsubun Quiz
How much do you all know about Setsubun? Throwing beans at ogres… there’s lots of other knowledge too, but I think many things aren’t widely known.
This quiz is a 10-question true-or-false game that lets you learn fun facts about Setsubun.
Try enjoying it during a Setsubun activity or in a little bit of free time!
Making holly sardines
There is a custom of warding off demons by sticking the head of a sardine onto a branch of holly and displaying it at the house entrance.
This decoration is read as “hiiragi iwashi.” It’s said that demons are very averse to holly’s spiky leaves and the fishy smell of sardines.
The sardine head is used grilled, which is believed to drive away evil spirits with the smoke.
Demon-Slaying Bound Bowling
This is a game where you line up plastic bottles or toilet paper rolls with demon faces drawn on them and bounce a ball to see how many you can knock down.
All the materials are easy to find, and it’s simple to make.
It’s great that you can enjoy it without having to throw the ball hard!
[For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing (11–20)
Pac-Pac Oni Craft
This is a chattering ogre craft you can make with a single sheet of construction paper! Fold a colored sheet into eighths and unfold it, then fold it in half again and cut a slit in the center.
If you fold the slit diagonally and open it up, you’ll have a big ogre mouth.
Next, make horns, hair, and facial parts out of paper and glue them on, or draw them directly, to complete the ogre’s face.
Hold both sides and move them, and it looks like the ogre is talking! By changing the parts, you can adapt it into all kinds of characters, so you can enjoy making not just ogres but your favorite characters or animals too.
Making ehomaki (lucky direction sushi rolls)
It’s a wish-making custom where you face the year’s lucky direction and eat a thick sushi roll.
It originally started in the Kansai region, but lately it has become known nationwide.
Depending on the area, there seem to be differences in how it’s eaten, such as “eating in silence,” “eating with your eyes closed,” or “eating while laughing.”
Oni Origami
Many seniors probably played with origami when they were children.
Why not make an origami ogre (oni) with this familiar pastime? Using your fingertips stimulates the brain and makes for great brain training.
While having fun, try making not only the ogre but also its spiked club (kanabō).
If everyone makes one or two, they’ll be perfect for Setsubun decorations around the room or as gifts—they’ll really come in handy.
It may seem difficult to make, but if you crease carefully following the guide, even seniors will find it surprisingly easy!
Good fortune tea
This is a tea made with kelp, pickled plums, and roasted soybeans.
Based on a legend from the Heian period that someone who drank this tea recovered from illness, it is considered a very auspicious beverage.
For that reason, the custom spread of drinking fukucha on Setsubun, which corresponds to New Year’s Eve in the old lunar calendar, using the beans from the bean-throwing ritual.