Objectives: The aim of this study was to explain the various style of leisure activity and recreation of elderly people in Tehran.

Methods & Materials: To achieve this purpose, 17 older participants within the age range of 65-86 years who were selected through purposeful sampling undertook semi structured interviews. A conventional qualitative content analysis was used for analyzing the data.

Results: The themes captured were classified into five main categories. The categories were: 1) Common elderly’s leisure activities, 2) Barriers and obstacles of leisure activity, 3) Family role and leisure activity, 4) Effects of recreation on elderlys’ life, and 5) Leisure activity promotion approaches. Some distinctive themes within each of the categories were identified.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a dissatisfactory image and improper attitude to leisure time activities and recreations in our older people, according to their lived experiences and perceptions.