Recreational activities for seniors
As we age, it's important to keep our bodies and minds active, but not all recreational activities for seniors are created equal. Some can become boring, so let me spice things up a bit with these suggestions.
Chair Yoga with a Twist: You may have heard of chair yoga before, but have you tried adding a twist? Literally. This is a great way to stretch out those creaky old joints and have a laugh at the same time.
To do this activity, simply sit in a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Twist your upper body to the left and grab the back of the chair with your right hand. Then, twist your body to the right and grab the back of the chair with your left hand.
Repeat this motion as many times as you like, and try to increase your speed each time. If you're feeling really daring, try doing this with a partner and see who can twist the fastest. You might like to play Chubby Checker music in the background.
Bingo with a Twist: Bingo is a classic game that many seniors enjoy. But it can get a bit tedious after a while. So why not spice things up with some silly prizes?
Instead of the usual prizes like a free meal or a gift certificate, try giving out prizes like a jar of pickles or a roll of toilet paper. You can even create a special "booby prize" for the person who gets the most incorrect bingo calls. An appropriate award would be a chicken breast.
Silly Hat Day: Who says you can't wear silly hats when you're a senior? Organize a silly hat day where everyone wears their craziest hat. You can even hold a contest for the silliest hat, with prizes for the winners. The contests could be themed depending on the season. For example, tuques in the winter.
Bubble Wrap Popping: Let's face it, popping bubble wrap is one of life's simple pleasures. Set up a room with a bunch of bubble wrap and have a popping contest. The person who pops the most bubbles in a set amount of time wins a prize, such as a bottle of pop.
Water Balloon Toss: Get a bunch of water balloons and have a water balloon toss. Pair up with a partner and see who can toss the water balloon the farthest without it breaking. If you want to add an element of danger (or revenge), see who can throw the hardest. Just make sure you're wearing clothes you don't mind getting wet.
Rock Painting: Rock painting is a great way to express your creativity and have fun. Collect some rocks and paint them with silly faces, animals, or whatever else you can think of. You can even hide them around the neighbourhood for people to find. I’m surprised politicians have not caught on to this mode of advertising. When they come across an opposition sign in one’s yard, they could playfully throw a rock through the window.
Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt around your neighbourhood or retirement community. Create a list of silly items that people have to find, like a rubber chicken, a picture of a celebrity, hula hoop, giant sunglasses, puppet, glow-in-the-dark underwear, whoopee cushion, lava lamp, feather boa, and sombrero hat. The first person or team to find all the items wins a prize.
Karaoke Night: Karaoke is always a hit, no matter your age. Pick out some classic tunes and have a sing-along. Bonus points if you dress up in costumes or make silly music videos to go along with the songs.
Twister: Twister is a classic game that can be hilarious to play as a senior. Set up the mat and have a game of Twister with your friends. Just be prepared for some sore muscles the next day.
Just because we're seniors doesn't mean we can't have a little fun. So try out some of these amusing activities and see how much joy they bring.
– Listen to Mike’s podcasts (humour, travel and poetry) at: The Retirement Coach: http:// theretirementcoach.libsyn.com/ His book, ‘Don’t Ever Quit – a Journal of Coping with Crisis & Nourishing Spirit,’ is available in print & electronic format at Amazon: https:// amzn.to/2KBdPWQ