[For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities Introduced

Bon Odori exercises done while seated

[For Seniors and the Elderly] Seated Bon Odori Exercise (Tanko-bushi) / Enjoy exercising with a summer festival vibe!

When you go to summer festivals, you often see people enjoying bon odori, the traditional festival dance.

Many older adults have probably danced it at least once, too.

So this time, we’re introducing a bon odori exercise you can use for summer festival activities at care facilities.

It can be done seated, making it a great option for those who find standing difficult.

For the upper body, raise both hands above your head and clap along; for the lower body, extend your heels forward and march your feet in place.

The moves are all simple, so try dancing along to your favorite bon odori song.

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sasashina

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Showa Era Classic Song Rhythm Exercises

[Limited-time streaming until March 31, 2026] Gentle exercises for seniors [5 selected song-exercises] Rhythm exercises to classic Showa-era hits that can be done while seated

When it’s too hot to go outside, why not have fun moving your body indoors? What we’re introducing is rhythm exercises danced to classic Showa-era hits.

They’re basically done seated, so even those who find it difficult to dance standing can enjoy them.

Because many of the moves involve large upper-body motions, be sure to leave enough space between chairs when doing this with multiple people, such as in a facility activity.

Depending on the song, wearing a happi coat or dancing with a folding fan can help you enjoy the atmosphere of the music, so it’s recommended.

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sasashina

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Heatstroke Quiz

[For Senior Facilities · Brain Training] Heatstroke Quiz! Stay alert—it's still hot! Get all the answers right and prevent heatstroke!!!

As the weather gets hotter, one thing to watch out for is heatstroke.

Older adults are said to be more prone to heatstroke because their body temperature regulation declines and their sensitivity to heat diminishes.

To enjoy going out and to prevent heatstroke even indoors, let’s learn thoroughly about heatstroke and how to prevent it with this quiz.

You’ll find plenty of useful information, such as the right timing for hydration and what to do if someone gets heatstroke.

Please feel free to make use of it.

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sasashina

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The “I want to meet Princess Orihime” game

Tanabata Festival Recreation ★ Refresh Life Shitoro Assisted Living Facility

Here’s a game themed around Hikoboshi and Orihime, who are allowed to meet only on the night of Tanabata.

Attach a picture of Hikoboshi to a ball.

Tie a string to the ball, and also tie the other end of the string to a baton or a tube.

Wind the string around the baton or tube to pull the ball toward yourself.

Of course, attach a picture of Orihime to yourself.

The person who brings the ball with Hikoboshi’s picture to Orihime the fastest wins.

It would also be exciting as a team competition.

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Nakajima Junko

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Making wind chimes

[Easy✨ 100-yen shop origami] How to make a wind chime 🎐 Summer wall decoration [Quick and easy] Instantly boosts a stylish, refreshing vibe!

Here are some wind chime craft ideas to make your indoor summer time more enjoyable.

Prepare origami paper and string.

Fold the origami paper in half twice to make a square, draw a 7 cm diameter circle with a compass, and cut it out with scissors.

You should have four circular pieces; fold each one in half with the patterned side inside.

Stack the four folded pieces and glue them together, then trim about 1 cm from the bottom—this will be the outer part of the wind chime.

From another sheet of origami, make a rectangular strip (tanzaku) and attach a thread to it.

Glue the other end of the thread to the center of the outer part, then glue the outer part’s edges together to finish.

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sasashina

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Tanabata Curling

@emi8852

July 7th is Tanabata Day! ⭐️🎋 For our recreation activity, we played a Tanabata curling game. ✨July 7TanabataCurlingtranslationTranslationRecreation#WelfarefacilityCaregivingCaregiverNurse#IchijoMiyaSmile

♬ Tanabata-sama(Children’s choir “Hibari”) – HIBARI CHILDREN CHORUS

Curling is a sport where you slide stones toward the center of a circle on ice, competing for points based on where the stones come to rest.

With a bit of creativity, you can try it on indoor floors, too.

Attach wheels to a substitute for the stone and roll it across the floor.

The player who rolls it closest to the target wins.

It’s even more exciting if you set up a scoring system that awards higher points the closer you get to the target.

If you do it in July, a curling game themed around Tanabata’s Orihime and Hikoboshi could be fun.

It’s also a version of curling that seniors can enjoy safely.

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Nakajima Junko

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Tanabata game

Today's Lesson ~Tanabata Game~

There’s also the legend that on Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi, separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet just once a year.

Here’s a game inspired by the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Use a vinyl cord to create the Milky Way on the floor.

Players take the role of Hikoboshi and toss beanbags toward Orihime, who is placed at the end of the vinyl cord.

Place Orihime the farthest away; if a beanbag reaches her spot, the player gets the highest score.

You can make it even more exciting by setting up sections between the Milky Way and Orihime that award small points or result in a miss.

It’s a game that seems likely to foster interaction among participants, including older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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