[For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas

Make Hina dolls

Origami Hina Doll: Easy Folding Method — Origami Japanese Kimono Doll Tutorial (niceno1)

Hinamatsuri, the most important event in early March.

Some of you probably display Hina dolls at home every year.

If you don’t have Hina dolls, why not try making them with origami? It’s perfect brain training because it uses your hands, and if you use traditional Japanese-patterned paper, they’ll look gorgeous and lovely.

It’s also great to make them together with your grandchildren.

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Araki Jakkan

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Spot the differences

Spot the Difference Brain Training Video @ Yokohama - Somei Yoshino ~ Aha! Movie (Aha! Experience) ~

Even though it’s spring, there are still plenty of chilly days, aren’t there? You can’t always go out whenever you want.

At times like that, how about doing a spot-the-difference puzzle indoors? There are many types, but the ones where the image gradually changes make for great brain training.

Get together with a few people and enjoy it in a friendly, lively way.

Since it’s spring, it would be nice to find puzzles with a spring theme.

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Araki Jakkan

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Exercise with Sazae-san

Sazae-san de Taiso: Sitting Edition

When you think of Sunday evening TV shows, many people probably think of Sazae-san.

Let’s try moving our bodies to the Sazae-san song.

It’s a long-running program, so many older adults are likely familiar with the song and the content of the anime.

When it’s a song you know, it’s easier to get your body moving.

The Sazae-san song also has a bright, cheerful feel, which can help calm and uplift older adults while they exercise.

Both the opening and ending themes work well for fun exercises, so I recommend either one.

Please give it a try!

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Nakajima Junko

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Balloon holder bag with a string

Recreation for seniors – Everyone’s cooperation is needed! Fun while sitting! Put the balloon in with a string #SeniorRecreation #Recreation #PreventiveCare

Here’s a string-and-balloon game that’s sure to liven up spring events and gatherings.

Have several older adults sit in chairs facing each other, each holding one end of a string so that paired participants are connected and keep the string taut.

By moving the string up and down or sliding it side to side, they work together to carry a balloon to the goal.

Cooperation is key in this game.

Because participants call out to each other as they play, it naturally encourages communication as well.

Korokoro Pon Game

Exciting Activity: The Roly-Poly Pong Game #ElderlyActivities #Shorts

Here’s a tabletop game that uses balls.

Prepare balls of different sizes, such as ping-pong balls or rubber balls about the size of a fist.

An older adult rolls a ball from one end of the table.

On the opposite side of the table from where the older adult is rolling, hang a basket.

The game is to roll the ball and get it into this basket.

It can be played while seated, so it seems suitable for older adults who use wheelchairs as well.

Moments like “It almost went in but didn’t!” are likely to make it exciting for the participants.

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Nakajima Junko

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Get it with dice

Elderly Recreation: 3 Fun and Easy Dice Games Using 100-Yen Store Daiso Items #RecreationForSeniors #100YenShop #Daiso #Fun

Here’s a dice game you can enjoy using items from a 100-yen shop.

All you need are a die, some balls, and three baskets.

Put the balls into one of the baskets, then place one basket for yourself and one for your opponent—now you’re ready! Take turns rolling the die and move the number of balls shown into your own basket.

Continue until there are no balls left.

The player with the most balls at the end wins.

Because luck plays a big role, differences in ability are minimized, so anyone can enjoy it.

Rolling the die and picking up the balls also serve as upper-limb functional training, and counting the numbers can provide cognitive training benefits.

Give it a try!

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kojifumi

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Paper cup launcher

Recreation for seniors: super easy and exciting, can be done while seated, paper cup tossing #RecreationForSeniors #Seniors #PreventiveCare

It’s a game where you swing a stick made of newspaper to launch a paper cup placed on the tip forward, and compete on how far it flies.

Your ability to control force is tested—how you swing determines how well the power transfers to the cup and how far it goes.

Just swinging with brute force won’t work, so pay attention to where you start the swing, when you stop it, and the angle.

Through the game, you’ll also get good movement in your upper body, especially around the shoulders, which is another key benefit.