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.
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[For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing (11–20)
Song Exercise: “Oni no Pants”
How about doing a sing-and-exercise routine with the children’s song “Oni no Pants”? You exercise while singing, and it’s a safe routine you can do while seated, so even people with weak legs or those for whom standing exercises are risky can do it with confidence.
Moving slowly, singing along while doing hand-play motions and upper-body exercises makes it perfect for winter, when people tend to stay still and just want to move a little.
You can also add your own original lyrics or turn it into a parody version to make it even more fun.
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!
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!
Will the balls go into the ogre’s mouth? A ball-toss game.
Speaking of Setsubun, the classic activity is throwing beans while saying, “Demons out, fortune in.” Here’s a bean-throwing game that seniors can enjoy too: a ball-toss game to see if you can get the balls into the demon’s mouth.
Draw a demon’s face with a big open mouth on a large sheet of paper.
Cut out the big mouth, and attach a plastic bag behind the opening—that’s it! Aim for the demon’s mouth and, with a loud shout of “Oni wa soto!” (“Demons out!”), toss in ping-pong-ball-sized balls.
It’s fun to split into teams and compete to see who can get the most balls in.
This is especially recommended for seniors who may find it difficult to move around.
Feel free to get lively and have fun like you did when you were a child!
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 (21–30)
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.