[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 (21–30)
Territory game
Speaking of summer, you often get paper fans (uchiwa) in various places, right? With just a paper cup and an uchiwa, you can easily play this territory-shifting game.
Two people sit facing each other and line up paper cups sideways on a flat surface like a table.
Each player fans toward the opponent’s side with their uchiwa to push the paper cups across.
Whoever sends the cups into the opponent’s territory wins.
If a single paper cup is too light, stack a few together to adjust the weight so it suits the players’ strength.
Handmade uchiwa (Japanese handheld fan)
In the hot summer, a handheld fan is essential, and if you make one yourself, you can create it with any design you like.
Buying just the frame and gluing on paper sounds difficult, but if you purchase a plain fan and attach pressed flowers or washi paper, that alone will give you a splendid, original fan.
You can also enjoy adding drawings or stickers.
Grilled Eel Game
In July, there’s the Day of the Ox in the Doyo period, right? In fact, there are several days called Doyo no Ushi no Hi throughout the year, but it became popular in summer as the time to eat eel to prevent summer fatigue.
How about trying a perfect activity for that day: the Grilled Eel Game? You make long, wriggly eels by rolling up newspaper, then place them on a platform that represents a grilling rack and compete for speed.
Simply placing them would be too easy, so try picking them up with chopsticks and setting them on the rack.
It’s good fine motor practice, too.
Newspaper Flapping Challenge
This game uses an uchiwa, a must-have item for summer.
Hang strips of newspaper cut lengthwise above head height, and at the starting signal, flap your uchiwa to fan them down, trying to knock them all off.
You can set a 10-second time limit, or make it a team competition where the fastest team, or the team that knocks down the most strips, wins—there are lots of ways to enjoy it depending on the number of participants.
You can also make it more challenging by changing the thickness of the newspaper strips to make them harder to knock down.
balloon volleyball
A great recommendation for hot summer days that’s safe to play indoors is “balloon volleyball.” Unlike regular volleyball, you don’t need detailed rules—just trying to keep the balloon from touching the floor is fun.
Even though balloons are soft, a full-force spike can be dangerous if it hits something, and it might pop, so play gently with light touches.
Ghost Story
From long ago, spine-chilling ghost stories have been a staple of hot summers.
Even at yose theaters, storytellers’ ghost tales are a summertime tradition.
You’ve probably had a scary experience yourself or heard someone else’s story.
How about getting together, lighting only a candle, and sharing frightening stories with one another?
vegetable garden
How about trying a home vegetable garden this summer? Summer is the season when you can harvest plenty of vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants, and many of them are relatively easy to grow, so it’s reassuring even for beginners.
There’s something special about eating vegetables you grew yourself, whether in salads or pickles.
If you get a big harvest, you can even save on food costs, making it a great way to enjoy summer that kills two birds with one stone.
