[For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities Introduced
Here are some recreational activities and games for older adults to enjoy the hot summer.
When the heat is intense, going out can be difficult, right? Many seniors probably think, “I still want to make the most of summer!” In this article, we’ve gathered games you can enjoy indoors as well as recreational activities that incorporate classic summer traditions.
If you’re looking for summer recreation ideas for senior facilities such as day-service centers, please use this as a reference!
- [For Seniors] Fun Activities That Liven Up Cool Evening Festivals and Summer Festivals
- [For Seniors] Exciting! A Collection of Game Ideas Using Uchiwa (Japanese Hand Fans)
- [For Seniors] Recreations to Experience in August
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- Activities perfect for July for seniors: Introducing games and recreational options
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Fun Even Without Sight! Recreation Ideas
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- For Seniors: Festive Attractions to Liven Up Festivals—Games and Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] August Health Tips: How to Enjoy and Stay Comfortable During the Hot Summer
- [For Seniors] Highlights of Fun Events at Day-Service Centers
- [For Seniors] Enjoyment at Day Care: A Roundup of Games and Recreational Activities
[For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities (11–20)
flowing somen (nagashi-somen)
In summer, the heat can reduce your appetite, but there’s a famous dish that goes down easily: somen noodles.
There’s even a way to eat them by flowing the noodles through water.
Just looking at it feels refreshing, and everyone can have fun while filling up! There are kits for nagashi-somen, and there are also shops where you can rent authentic bamboo, so it’s easy to enjoy.
Pastel Art: Water Balloons
In July, as summer gradually hits its stride, you can’t help but crave something cool to take the edge off the heat.
This piece suggests drawing water balloons with pastels—something that feels refreshing while still capturing quintessential summer scenes like festivals.
Cut paper into the shapes you want, layer them over a backing sheet, and apply shaved pastel over the cutouts to create a soft, gentle-colored illustration.
The key is to use bright colors for the water balloons and cool, blue-based tones for the background to evoke a sense of coolness.
Taiko no Tatsujin
Taiko drums are an essential part of Japanese festivals—their powerful, resonant sound gives people the energy to push through the heat.
With Taiko no Tatsujin, a game themed around taiko, you can enjoy the simple pleasure of drumming anytime.
It’s a rhythm game, but since there are only two types of hits—the center and the rim—anyone can give it a try by adjusting the difficulty.
Rather than focusing solely on the screen, it might be important to vividly imagine a real taiko and feel the rhythm with your whole body.
Goldfish scooping
Summer festivals are an essential part of summer in Japan, and many people are familiar with the goldfish scooping game often found there.
This game takes inspiration from that: players compete to see who can skillfully scoop up goldfish-shaped mascots.
Normally, the scooping tool (poi) has a paper net, but by deliberately removing the paper, the technique of how you use the frame itself is put to the test.
If the mascots’ shapes and weights are randomized, players will focus more on speed and scooping technique, which should make the game even more exciting.
Shaved ice making
When the weather gets hot, you start craving something cold, don’t you? At times like that, how about making shaved ice? With an electric shaved ice machine that shaves ice at the push of a button, even those with less strength can easily shave ice.
Your fingertip feel is important when operating the button, so adjust as you go while watching how much ice is being shaved.
Pour your favorite syrup on top and enjoy it together with everyone.
Okonomiyaki Game
The “Okonomiyaki Game” is a contest to see who can flip cardboard-made okonomiyaki the fastest using a spatula.
Since it’s ‘food,’ any that you drop don’t count toward your total.
And of course, using your hands is not allowed.
It’s surprisingly tricky but a lot of fun! Set a time limit and compete to see who can flip the most!
[For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities (21–30)
lottery game with many strings (Senbonbiki)
Lottery draws are a staple booth at summer festivals, aren’t they? Try running a lottery at summer bazaars, or at summer festivals in senior homes and day service centers, too.
When the prizes are visible, excitement really ramps up, so it’s sure to be a hit.
That lottery is apparently called “Senbonbiki,” but if making one yourself is tough, renting one might be a good option.
