[For Seniors] Embraced by Spring: Wall Decoration Ideas to Enjoy in April

A simple flower made with an accordion fold

Easy Cute Paper Origami Flower: How to Make a Flower [Origami Paper Easy]

When we think of spring, we often picture lush natural landscapes, with flowers we don’t even know the names of blooming everywhere.

This piece is about creating those vibrant, colorful spring flowers using combinations of origami.

The process is to accordion-fold the paper, then fold the whole piece in half and round off the edges with a cut.

After that, open it up, connect the pieces, and shape them into a circle.

By changing the colors of the origami or varying the sizes, let’s create a colorful flower field.

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kappamaki

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Dandelion wreath

Introducing how to make a three-dimensional dandelion wreath decoration with origami! Why not try making it as a spring decoration for April and May? [Tsukuru-mon]

Spring is the season when the weather warms and many flowers begin to appear, and you’ll likely spot more dandelions as well.

This craft recreates dandelions—a quintessential spring flower—using origami and combines them into a wreath-like shape.

To make the dandelion flowers, fold a strip of origami paper in half and then fold it again to make it narrower, cut fine slits along the edge, roll it up, then spread and shape it.

The wreath base is made by assembling triangular units, and it’s recommended to use green to evoke leaves.

Finally, combine all the parts and add decorative elements like leaf pieces to complete the project.

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kappamaki

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Curtain of cherry blossoms

Easy Tissue Paper Sakura Curtain – Perfect for Graduation/Preschool Graduation, Wall Decorations, Parties, Weddings, Crafts, and Senior Activities

Let’s try making a cherry blossom curtain using tissue paper.

Because tissue paper is soft and slightly translucent, it’s perfect for expressing the delicate petals of cherry blossoms.

You can accordion-fold the tissue paper to create blossoms, or cut it into petal shapes and hang them.

When attaching string to the petals, use a needle threaded with the string to link the petals together.

You can hang the curtain in the facility’s windows, and older adults can also take theirs home to decorate their own spaces.

When the wind blows and the tissue-paper petals sway, it looks just like real cherry blossoms fluttering in the air.

You can adapt this idea for wall decorations as well, so give it a try!

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Nakajima Junko

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Sakura mochi

[Spring Origami] Easy and Cute Sakura Mochi Folding / Origami Sakura Mochi

Simply sticking origami with spring-themed motifs onto a plain calendar can instantly transform it into an exciting spring-season calendar.

Sakura mochi, a traditional Japanese sweet enjoyed when the cherry blossoms bloom, has a soft, fluffy texture that feels very spring-like and is so familiar it’s even used as a seasonal word in haiku.

Its pink color is bright and festive, so it’s highly recommended.

Both the mochi part and the leaf part have simple folding methods, so you can try them casually.

For the leaf, use slightly muted green origami to create the right atmosphere.

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hiyori

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Japanese bush warbler

[Made with One Sheet of Origami] Easy and Cute Bush Warbler (Facing Left) Folding Tutorial ◇ Origami Japanese Bush Warbler — Spring Little Bird, Uguisu ◇

When you hear the call “hoo-hokekyo,” it makes you think, “Spring is here,” doesn’t it? The Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) is familiar to many people, including seniors, as a bird that heralds spring.

So let’s try making a calendar with an uguisu motif.

You could use origami or a coloring-page design—either works nicely.

It’s also a great idea to add plum or peach blossoms.

There’s even a traditional auspicious expression, ‘ume ni uguisu’ (plum blossoms with a bush warbler).

Plum blossoms and the bush warbler are a well-matched pair, and because the two together symbolize harmony, the phrase is used to represent good fortune.

Incorporating this combination into your calendar’s layout would likely result in a lovely piece.

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Nakajima Junko

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Rabbit’s Easter egg

[Origami] Easy with just one sheet! Cute Easter Bunny Egg Folding Method / Bunny Egg, Easter Bunny, Spring Origami Easter Egg

Easter is a festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it is set on a Sunday between late March and April each year.

Eggs and rabbits, regarded as symbols of rebirth and prosperity, are known as Easter symbols.

This time, we’ll introduce an origami Easter bunny.

After folding an Easter bunny with your favorite color or pattern of origami paper, use a pen or colored pencils to draw the eyes and mouth.

You can give it personality depending on the kind of face you choose.

By the way, each egg color has its own meaning, so how about turning it into a quiz as you work?

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moko

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Making the April calendar

[Calendar Making] A classic event at our day service. We choose a seasonal theme and create next month’s calendar. (Shōwa Wago-kai Social Welfare Corporation)

How about making calendars as one of your monthly recreation activities? Both the process of discussing and choosing seasonal motifs and the actual crafting after the plan is set are sure to be lively and fun! Using your hands can have a positive effect on cognitive function, and working together to create something—then seeing what you made actually being used—will likely bring great joy! Even things that were difficult before can improve in quality as you repeat the activity.

Give it a try!