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 (21–30)
Ehomaki Game
Let’s turn the ehomaki we eat on Setsubun into a game.
Ehomaki are filled with lots of ingredients, right? On top of paper “nori” and “rice,” place ingredients made from long, thin strips of construction paper or fabric.
The key is to prepare colors that look like real ehomaki fillings, such as red and green.
Then, using both hands, roll it up as if you were making a real sushi roll.
When it’s finished, face the lucky direction for that year and take a big bite.
This idea of making ehomaki from paper or fabric seems like something older adults would also enjoy.
It’s a perfect game to do in February.
Setsubun soba
Soba eaten on December 31, New Year’s Eve, is called toshikoshi soba.
In the past, however, the first day of the year was Risshun, the beginning of spring in the old lunar calendar, so eating soba on the previous day, Setsubun, was what people called toshikoshi soba.
For that reason, in some regions there is still a custom of eating soba on Setsubun, known as Setsubun soba.
[For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing (31–40)
Beanbag basket made from newspaper
Setsubun is a major event in February and carries the meaning of praying for a happy year.
This is a target-throwing game themed on bean-throwing, which is essential to Setsubun for driving away demons.
You attach newspaper sheets labeled with the characters for “oni” (demon) and “fuku” (good fortune) to baskets, and toss beanbags toward them.
The rule is to aim beanbags at the oni and avoid hitting the fuku, encouraging careful control of your throws.
The throwing motion helps build wrist and whole-body cushioning, and aiming for longer distances also enhances concentration.
Setsubun
In recent years, ehomaki rolls have become a trend, and Setsubun is an event that people of all ages, from children to adults, look forward to.
As a seasonal turning point from winter to spring, Setsubun is a wonderful opportunity to sense the arrival of spring—why not incorporate it into senior care facilities as well? Offering a sense of the seasons can be stimulating even for older adults whose sensitivities may have dulled.
You could create a festive atmosphere by having staff dress up as demons (oni) for the traditional bean-throwing, or by featuring ehomaki on the day’s meal menu.
You might also include songs and dances related to oni to make the event even more lively.
Oni Underpants Exercise
When it comes to characters essential to Setsubun, oni (demons) are a must—and the go-to song that depicts them is “Oni no Pantsu.” Let’s do exercises to this song and get a feel for what Setsubun oni look like by moving our bodies.
A key point is not only the oni’s horns but also how to express their “pants.” By incorporating clapping and finger shapes, it effectively trains the fingertips as well.
Rather than limiting movements to in front of the body, it’s recommended to include steps like marching to engage the whole body thoroughly.
Performing the demon dance
Speaking of Setsubun, it marks the Lunar New Year and the start of a new year.
The bean-throwing chant of Setsubun—“Demons out, fortune in”—expresses the wish to drive bad things out of the house at the year’s beginning and invite good fortune.
While “oni” (demons) represent those bad things, they’re also basically the stars of Setsubun, aren’t they? How about dressing up as an oni and performing a dance to a Setsubun song? A classic choice is the children’s song ‘Oni no Pantsu’—it’s cute, easy to dance to, and familiar to everyone, so it’s sure to liven things up.
Setsubun hand play
This is a simple Setsubun hand game.
You wave your hands and make shapes with your fingers to the tune of a children’s song.
Moving your fingertips also helps stimulate the brain, so it’s recommended for older adults as well.
Singing and dancing are fun too, but this is something anyone can play anytime, anywhere, without worrying about those around them.