[For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
We’d like to introduce recreational activities and games that older adults can enjoy during the still-chilly winter season.
Winter is full of occasions like New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.
Many senior and care facilities may be planning events that match these occasions.
With our “Recreation and Games for Older Adults to Enjoy in Winter,” your events might become even more enjoyable.
We also have ideas for activities that are usually played outdoors but can be done in a warm indoor setting.
From activities you can focus on and enjoy alone to ones that a small group can tackle together and get excited about, we’ve prepared a wide variety.
We hope everyone can fully enjoy winter indoors while still feeling the season.
- [For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Day Service: A Collection of Fun Event Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic: Seated activities
- [For Seniors] Winter Haiku: Introducing Beautiful Masterpieces by Famous Haiku Poets
- For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
[For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreations and Games (71–80)
Simple and cute! Pinecone tree
This is a cute pinecone tree you can easily make with materials from a 100-yen shop—as long as you have a pinecone.
You can use a store-bought pinecone or one you picked up on a walk.
To make it, simply decorate the pinecone with beads and pipe cleaners however you like, then fix it to a base made from a plastic bottle cap.
Crafts that use the fingertips are very effective for seniors’ hand rehabilitation and dementia prevention.
If you’ve picked up the pinecone outdoors, be sure to sterilize it by boiling it beforehand so seniors can enjoy crafting safely and with peace of mind.
Matching game
Illustrations with winter and Christmas themes are drawn on the grid of drawing paper and on the bottoms of paper cups.
It’s a game where players compete to see how quickly they can arrange the paper cups to match the illustrations on the grid.
Stack the cups so players can’t tell which illustration will come next—that’s the key.
Let’s help them train their reflexes by instantly identifying and placing the illustrations.
By trying repeatedly, they’ll likely become more aware of smooth hand movements along with improving their reflexes.
If you start from the illustration-drawing stage, you can enjoy even more of the Christmas atmosphere, so that’s recommended too.
Of course, you can also just use the prepared materials and jump straight into the game.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Chair Dance
Let’s get everyone moving and feeling the festive spirit with a dance set to the classic Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Being able to do it while seated with minimal strain is an important point so that everyone present can enjoy it.
Incorporate choreography that follows the lyrics, while also including solid strengthening movements like arm stretches.
Wearing festive items—such as Santa hats—can help participants feel the Christmas atmosphere even more.
Ring Relay
In March there are some days when you can feel the warmth, but there are also days with sharp temperature swings.
At times like that, let’s liven things up indoors with a “ring relay.” To prepare, use paper or toilet paper rolls to make rings in large, medium, and small sizes, and pass them to the next person by threading them onto chopsticks.
It works well as a small-group game, and it’s also fun as a team competition for larger groups.
Through the relay, you’ll naturally interact with those around you and help promote communication.
Since you can do it while seated, it should be easy for older adults to join in too.
Enjoy your time!
Making a roly-poly toy
Let’s make a Daruma roly-poly toy! You’ll need paper clay, a marble, an empty capsule from a capsule toy, paint, and a brush.
First, spread a thin layer of clay on the inside bottom of the capsule.
Once that’s done, place the marble on top and cover it with more clay to secure it.
Next, attach the top half of the capsule and apply clay over the entire outside as well.
Press the capsule to make sure it springs back upright, then let it dry for a day and paint it to look like a Daruma.
If you use lightweight paper clay, you can make it without a capsule; it’s easier to handle, so it’s recommended.
New Year’s dishes
When welcoming the New Year, you can’t skip traditional New Year’s dishes! Preparing an elaborate spread can be difficult, but if everyone shares one dish, it can be fun to make together.
It’s best to decide the menu based on things like whether someone is good at cooking and the number of participants.
You may use knives and fire, but cooking also stimulates the brain, so it’s great to get creative—like having people use a peeler instead of a knife—and try a variety of dishes.
Fold a celebratory crane
The celebratory crane origami is a bit advanced.
It’s recommended for when you have plenty of time or when you want to boost your focus with a more challenging activity.
It might bring back memories of doing origami in the past, and you may find yourselves chatting away as you work.
It’s more difficult than a regular crane, but it’s perfect for New Year decorations, so give it a try with everyone.
If you use double-sided patterned paper, both sides will stand out and the result will look more festive.