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Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Recommended for day-service centers. A collection of craft ideas for April

April brings warmer weather and a lighter mood.

How about incorporating seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms and hyacinths, as well as spring-themed motifs, into your craft recreation activities? Participants can take their finished pieces home, so they can enjoy the feeling of spring there as well.

Craft activities that use the fingertips allow for focused engagement, which many older adults particularly enjoy.

We’ve gathered a wide range of projects—from simple to more elaborate—so please choose the ones that best suit each individual and give them a try.

Let’s all enjoy them together while communicating and connecting!

For Seniors: Recommended for Day Service. April Craft Idea Collection (111–120)

Tulips and windmills

The wall decorations of tulips and windmills that evoke a spring atmosphere feature a bright, warm design.

Cut red and yellow origami paper to make the tulip petals.

Add small slits at the tips of the petals and glue them overlapping to create a three-dimensional effect.

Make the stems and leaves with green origami, and when arranged on the wall, it gives the impression of a field of spring plants spreading out.

For the windmills, cut out the base and cross-shaped parts and assemble them into a windmill.

Finely cut the propeller section, add windows and embellishments, and glue them on to enhance the three-dimensional look.

The vivid colors of the tulips and the windmill design create wall decorations that convey the warmth of spring.

[For Seniors] Recommended for day service. April craft idea collection (121–130)

A basket of daisies

Daisies are striking for the way they bloom in a variety of colors, and their colorful appearance really conveys the exhilaration of spring.

This craft features a basket filled with daisy flowers, appealing for its colorful and playful look.

The key is how to make the daisies: fold a strip of origami paper in half, make slits, then roll it up and finally shape it into a flower.

As you carefully spread out the petals, the daisy becomes three-dimensional.

By varying the size and how much you spread the petals, and arranging a range of colors, you can achieve an even more vibrant result.

Honeybees and a flower field

Spring—what do you imagine? Cute honeybees and flower fields… how perfectly spring-like! Would you like to make those two motifs? First, prepare origami paper, A4 copier paper, scissors, a craft knife, glue, colored pencils, and a pencil.

It might be a good idea to divide up the tasks and work together.

If you make them in a big group, chatting and having fun, you’ll grow fond of the finished pieces, right? You could even use them as decorations for a calendar! Be sure to give it a try!

A school backpack made of origami

A school backpack you can make with a single sheet of origami—surprisingly easy♪
A school backpack made of origami

Watching little grandchildren and other young children run around energetically is truly heartwarming for older adults, isn’t it? How about making a decoration inspired by a school backpack (randoseru)? Prepare one sheet of pink origami paper, fold it into a square, layering several folds as you go, and shape it into a three-dimensional randoseru.

Since there are many fine steps, it’s best to use a larger size if possible.

If you have the time, try making the backpack cover as well for a more authentic look!

Sakura-themed money envelope

Spring Origami: How to Make a Cherry Blossom Pochi-bukuro (Tato-style Envelope) with Voice Commentary — Origami How to Make a Cherry Blossom Bag
Sakura-themed money envelope

This is a charming sakura-themed pochibukuro with an adorable cherry blossom in the center.

Fold a sheet of origami and, at the end, cut it so the shape of the cherry blossom petals appears neatly.

After unfolding, continue folding it into a pentagon, and you’ll have a perfect little springtime envelope! You can use it to tuck in pocket money for your grandchild, to wrap a letter, or even display it on the wall as is.

If you use double-sided origami with different colors or patterns, the cherry blossom portion will stand out even more beautifully when finished!

Paper cup flowers

[Paper Cup] Let's make flowers bloom
Paper cup flowers

Let’s make a spinning flower using paper cups, a straw, and a pair of chopsticks! Prepare two paper cups and make a hole in the center of the bottom of one.

For the other cup, which will become the flower part, cut several slits along the side and spread them out, then draw patterns on each separated section.

Cut a straw short and make four slits at one end so it splits into four; attach this slitted end to the tip of the chopsticks.

Glue the straw part to the bottom of the flower cup.

Store the assembled flower part inside the paper cup with the hole.

When it pops out, spin it and the petals will spread out beautifully, completing your flower.

Balloon cherry blossoms

[Wall Decorations] Easy with Origami Cherry Blossoms! How to Make “Balloon Sakura” – Spring Craft for Preschools, Recreation for Elderly Care, Paper Craft
Balloon cherry blossoms

Not only the sight of a cherry tree in bloom, but also the way the wind blows and petals dance in the air really makes you feel the arrival of spring.

This decoration captures that scene—hot-air balloons flying amid falling cherry blossoms—with an appealing sense of depth and festivity.

To form the balloon’s rounded part, cut paper into rectangles and assemble them in layers with slight offsets; by adjusting the angles of the layers, you create a three-dimensional bulge.

Attach cherry blossoms to this piece, add a basket underneath, scatter petals around, and it’s complete.

It’s also fun to choose balloon colors that match the cherry blossom hues and to plan other accents that help the balloon stand out.