[For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play Ideas
Spring brings more warm days, with cherry blossoms blooming and trees putting on fresh green leaves—it’s the kind of season that makes you want to go out.
In this article, we introduce fun spring activities and games for older adults.
Daycare centers and senior facilities also offer more spring-themed recreation, don’t they? Even without going outside, there are plenty of activities and recreational games you can enjoy indoors while sitting, basking in the gentle spring sunlight.
Try enjoying spring in various ways.
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[For Seniors] Fun Spring Recreational Activities: A Collection of Games and Play (131–140)
Gift-stuffing game
This is a game where players compete to see how many presents they can stuff into their own bag within a time limit, taking them from a table.
When pushing the presents in, they should use force while still being careful not to tear the bag—encouraging awareness of strength control.
To keep players from focusing only on the simple act of stuffing, it’s recommended to make the presents colorful so the visuals are enjoyable too.
If you randomize the sizes and shapes of the presents, you can also add an element of judgment in choosing which ones to put in the bag.
PET bottle shake
Why not try the “PET bottle shake” exercise, where you can get various benefits just by shaking a plastic bottle? First, fill a plastic bottle with water.
The weight of the water makes it work like a dumbbell.
The weight varies depending on the amount of water and the size of the bottle, so choose a level that feels right for you.
Hold one in each hand and shake them vigorously.
By shaking, you can train your arms, shoulders, and even your core.
It might also be fun to shake them to the beat of some music.
Ball-Picking Game
When April comes, the weather becomes mild and there are more pleasantly warm days, don’t you think? It’s also a time when it’s easier to move your body, so why not have some fun with a simple game? Here’s a ball-collecting game that uses lots of balls.
Roll many balls across a table toward older adults seated in chairs.
The seated participants holding containers will pick up the balls as they roll toward them.
Since it can be done while seated, it’s accessible for those who have difficulty standing or for older adults who use wheelchairs.
mayonnaise
Even if seasonings differ in taste and texture depending on the type, the containers they come in are often similar.
This is a high-difficulty challenge: can you identify mayonnaise—one of those seasonings—using only the feel of its container? The main difference is the shape of the nozzle, so someone who can recognize that by touch might arrive at the right answer.
The premise of “seasoning” is already a big hint, and adding clues like flavor and color would likely help more people figure it out.
Caregiving Exercise: The Apple Song
May is the season when we feel warmth and a refreshing breeze, isn’t it? The pleasant weather may inspire some older adults to get moving.
So let’s do some seated exercises suitable for elder care.
We’ll move along to the lyrics of “Ringo no Uta,” the first big hit song after the war.
If it’s a familiar song for older adults, it should make it easier to engage in the exercises.
Be sure to enjoy exercising while singing together.
Some older adults may find themselves humming the nostalgic lyrics and recalling fond memories.
Caregiving Exercise “Tea Picking”
Hachijūhachi-ya refers to the 88th day counting from Risshun (the first day of spring in the traditional calendar).
Since ancient times, it has been used as a guideline for starting agricultural work such as tea picking and rice planting.
This time, we will introduce an exercise set to the music of “Chatumi” (Tea Picking).
First, let’s check your body movements as a warm-up.
The motions follow the lyrics, so they’re easy to remember.
If you do it to the music, don’t forget the rhythmic claps at key points.
At first, you may find yourself focused on the movements, but once you get used to them, you can enjoy various variations, such as changing the tempo or doing it while singing.
Performing multiple activities at the same time—moving your body while thinking and singing—can also be expected to have brain-training benefits, making it recommended as a recreational activity in senior care facilities.
Total Concentration PET-bottle Kendama
Did you know that May 14 is Kendama Day? It’s said that when older adults play kendama, it brings back memories and activates the brain.
Also, moving the arms and fingertips and guiding the body to a target position is very good for both the brain and the body.
Why not try making this kendama yourself and playing with it? It’s easy to make: tie a string to the opening of a plastic bottle, and attach a paper cup to the other end of the string.
That’s it! Hold the bottle by the body and try to catch the opening side with the paper cup to play.