For Seniors: Festive Attractions to Liven Up Festivals—Games and Recreational Activities

Target shooting

Kabe Day Service Center, Asakita Ward, Hiroshima City – Shooting Game

Shooting games were a staple of summer festivals.

You aim at the targets, and if they fall over, you get a prize.

Let’s relive our childhood and enjoy a shooting game.

Prepare targets in various sizes.

Heavier ones are harder to knock down, so lightweight materials like construction paper are recommended.

You could also write different point values on the targets depending on their size.

Competing for the highest total score will definitely liven things up.

Ghost-busting game with an air cannon

Ghost-busting game with an air cannon

It’s a game where you knock down targets decorated with ghosts using an air cannon.

Draw ghosts on cylindrical objects to make the targets.

For the air cannon, cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle and firmly attach a rubber balloon over the opening with vinyl tape.

When you pull and release the balloon, the air inside is shot out through the bottle’s mouth.

It’s designed with safety in mind, so you can play with peace of mind.

You can also make it more exciting by increasing the number of targets and turning it into a time trial.

Festival Quiz

[For Senior Facilities • Brain Training] Brain training with a quiz on Japan’s iconic summer festivals! Use three hints to find the answer! 8 questions 🍉

With helpful hints, it’s easy to join in! Here are some ideas for a festival quiz.

In Japan, there are famous festivals held in the summer.

This time, let’s try a festival quiz where you use hints to figure out the answer.

For example, there’s a question that shows three hints: “streamers,” “kusudama,” and “Miyagi Prefecture.” Some of you might know the correct answer right away from those clues.

There are a total of eight festival quiz questions, so be sure to give them a try!

Table curling

Today's recreation at Day Service Asumiru 🎵

Curling, which became a boom and excited fans during the Winter Olympics, can be enjoyed easily right on your table! Draw lines with point values on the tabletop.

Put a marble inside a paper cup and roll it across the table.

The farthest line is worth the most points, but if you slide it too hard trying to reach it, it will fall off.

Getting the strength just right is tricky, which makes it a thrilling game.

Paper Cup Sumo

Aim for yokozuna! We tried the flapping paper-cup sumo game (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ

Speaking of paper sumo, didn’t you make them as a kid using thick paper or empty boxes? You set up a ring using an empty box, place pieces that act as sumo wrestlers on top, and tap the corners of the ring to make the pieces move.

If a piece falls over and leaves the ring, it loses.

There’s also a risk of knocking yourself out depending on how hard you tap, so be careful with your technique!

Karaoke Contest

Joy Paradise July 29 Karaoke Contest 2

Karaoke is loved by both adults and children.

It’s a classic group activity that everyone can enjoy together.

Let’s hold a karaoke contest! Choosing your favorite songs and singing your heart out is a great way to feel refreshed.

Those listening can liven up the room with fun items like tambourines and maracas.

Pom-poms add a festive touch, too.

Super Ball scooping

Tips for scooping super balls

Super Ball scooping is a big hit with kids! It’s done the same way as goldfish scooping.

Since goldfish move, they’re tricky to catch, but Super Balls have some weight, so if you try to scoop them from the center, the paper tears right away.

The trick is to scoop slowly from the edge.

Super Ball scooping kits are sold as ready-made sets, so preparation is easy, and once you buy one, you can enjoy it year after year! Older adults will also be delighted if they can scoop one, and they might surprisingly get hooked on it!