From the Chair: Games for an Afternoon at a Senior Center

The class tests and designs games that can be played seated, built for a visit to a senior center. It works on adapting physical activity and empathy for different abilities.

How to play

1. The teacher sets the challenge: games for people who play seated, with less strength or eyesight, that are fun and not childish (3 min).
2. The whole class, seated in a circle, tries three models: keep the balloon off the floor, bottle bowling from the chair, and pass the scarf while saying a name (6 min).
3. Groups of 5 create a new seated game with a safety rule, two levels, and a way for everyone to take part (8 min).
4. Cross-test: each group runs its game for another group, who play seated; some wear knit gloves to feel what a weaker grip is like (10 min).
5. Final list of approved games and changes needed before the visit (3 min).

Rules

• Everything is played seated with chairs stable.
• Soft balls and gentle throws, never at faces.
• Speak to older adults as adults.
• The gloves are for learning, not for clowning around.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students in wheelchairs: take part equally and share what works seated.
• Visual impairment: include sound balls or balloons with a bell inside.
• Students who get restless with low intensity: design the hard version.

Learning goals

• Adapt games for older adults.
• Build empathy for different abilities.
• Prepare a realistic service-learning activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• chairs: 28
• balloons: 10
• plastic bottles: 20
• soft balls: 8
• hula hoops: 6
• scarves: 10
• knit gloves: 10

Teacher tip

If you do the real visit, talk to the center's staff first; they know what works and what doesn't. Watch out for latex allergies with balloons; light beach balls are a good swap.

More main activities for Middle School