[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 (21–30)
Soy shooting
@karitasunosato This is Hamanomiya Shouchikuen Day Service 🤗 Setsubun marks the turning of the seasons. Spring is already just around the corner 🙌🏻💕CaregivingCertified Care WorkerTranslationRecreationStrikeoutSetsubunFun timeLovely smile
♬ Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
For the February tradition of Setsubun, try enjoying “soy shooting.” It’s basically a strikeout-style game where you throw balls—standing in for beans—at targets featuring illustrations of oni (demons) and compete for points.
Since it feels like demon-slaying, it’s perfect for a Setsubun event.
Using photos of acquaintances for the oni illustrations could make it unique and lively.
You can buy ready-made strikeout sets, but it’s also possible to make one yourself with cardboard and other materials.
It can be played while seated, too, so everyone can join in and drive away misfortune together.
Setsubun pinata whacking
@cs.matsuyama TranslationSetsubun 2022Pinata WhackingRecreation
♬ Original Song – Care Support Matsuyama – Care Support Matsuyama
Piñata breaking originated in Mexico, but in recent years it’s been seen at various events in Japan as well.
At birthday parties and Halloween, you hit it with a stick and candy comes out, so it’s especially popular with kids.
How about trying a Setsubun-themed version of a piñata? Naturally, decorate the piñata like an oni (demon), and have older participants take a few swings to help relieve stress.
Be sure to adjust how easy it is to break to suit the participants.
Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre
@e6u42 [Day Service Center E-Yu] The Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre#Asahikawa#Asahikawatranslation#WelfareCaregiverCaregivingElderlyNurse#CareManagerCare ManagerHome-visit nursingHelper RecruitmentCaregiver recruitment#AssistiveDevices#WantToConnectWithCaregiversResidential fee-based nursing homeLikeLike-backLooking for followsFollow meTranslationDay service recreation#vr360-degree cameraLooking for followsSetsubunDemon#Setsubun Bento
♬ Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun – Parry Gripp
The Red Ogre and Blue Ogre Tango is a game that uses your hands and also works as a visual exercise.
Prepare several cards on the table, each with illustrations of a red ogre on one side and a blue ogre on the other.
When someone says “red,” flip each card so the red ogre side is facing up.
When they say “blue,” flip them to the opposite side.
Don’t stack the cards—spread them out in different positions so it also becomes a mental exercise to locate the cards.
A faster, more energetic call-and-response might make the game even more exciting.
Have fun and give it a try!
Snowball Fight Game
@hirose_ds TranslationCaregivingElderlyRecreation#2021New Year's partySnowball fightBalloonTerritory capture
♬ Starman (2012 Remaster) – David Bowie
When it comes to winter snow play, nothing beats a snowball fight! Many of us played as kids and ended up covered in snow.
Here’s an event that brings back those fun memories: a snowball-fight game using balloons.
Put tape down the center of the room to divide it into two sides.
Place several inflated balloons on the tape, and at the starting signal, throw “snowballs” to knock the balloons over to the other team’s side.
When the game ends, the team that has moved more balloons into the opponent’s territory wins.
Throw lots of snowballs, get moving, and feel like a kid again!
Valentine’s Gift Exchange Tournament
When it comes to February events, Valentine’s Day is the first that comes to mind.
Let’s exchange gifts with the people close to us to show our appreciation.
The rules are very simple: when you hear the handclap, pass your gift to the person next to you in the opposite direction.
During the chorus, raise the hand holding the gift and sway both hands as you dance.
When the music stops, you succeed in the game if you keep the gift you’re holding.
A slow song that everyone knows is recommended.
It might also be easier to prepare if you set a uniform budget for the gifts in advance.
Song exercise: Mount Fuji
February 23 was designated “Mt.
Fuji Day” in 2001.
The reason for this date is said to be a play on sounds in Japanese: 2 = fu, 2 = ji, 3 = san (Fuji-san).
As a February activity, how about trying a seated exercise set to the children’s song “Fujinoyama”? You can move your arms in a figure-eight to evoke Mount Fuji, or slowly spread your hands and feet to the sides.
The melody is very calm, so it’s easy to move your body without strain.
If you know the song, feel free to sing along and enjoy it.
A game where you can get candy in the shape of an ogre’s iron club if you drop it
It says “a game where you get candy if you knock it off an ogre’s club,” but the rules are the same as ring toss.
The target, designed to look like a spiked club, has candy attached to it, and if your ring lands on the target and the candy falls off, you get to keep it.
It’s a fun idea because you enjoy the ring toss itself and there are prizes, too.
It’s also recommended as a game to enjoy with your grandchild.
You can easily make the target and rings with materials like thick paper, construction paper, origami paper, and toilet paper rolls, so be sure to make them and give it a try.