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[Day Service] August Craft Ideas That Seniors Will Enjoy
Recreation activities at day service centers are something many seniors look forward to.
For activities held in August, issues like heatstroke and overall health are a concern.
At such times, why not enjoy craft-based recreation in a cool, air-conditioned room?
This article introduces recommended craft ideas for August.
We’ve gathered craft ideas that seniors can enjoy, including wall decoration ideas themed around August and projects that evoke a refreshing, cool feeling.
They’re all easy to make, so seniors can work on them with ease.
If you’re a staff member looking for craft ideas for August, please use this as a reference.
[Day Service] August Craft Ideas (1–10) That Seniors Can Enjoy
paper-cup wind chime
Here’s a cool item to help you get through the hot summer: a wind chime made from a paper cup.
To create a template for cutting origami paper, cut out the bottom of the paper cup and cut the side piece in half.
Use this template to cut out two pieces from the origami paper.
Glue the cut origami pieces onto the sides of the paper cup that will become the wind chime.
For the bottom, use a compass to cut a circle from origami paper and glue it on.
Make a hole in the center of the bottom with an awl, thread through some twine such as kite string, and then decorate the sides with stickers.
You’re done!
Glass tile coaster
Let’s try making a coaster using glass tiles you can find at a 100-yen shop! First, prepare colorful glass tiles that are 1 cm square and a self-adhesive cork sheet.
Cut the cork sheet into an 8 cm square.
Before sticking the tiles onto the cork, simulate the layout by actually arranging them to see how they’ll look.
Laying out eight tiles by eight tiles should fit perfectly.
Once you have a clear idea, attach the glass tiles to the adhesive side of the cork sheet—and your coaster is complete!
gel candle
Let’s try making a gel candle with a wonderfully cool look! Prepare a heat-resistant glass and first secure the candle wick to the bottom.
Next, layer a few colors of colored sand around it.
Once you’ve filled about one-third of the glass with sand, add decorative items like shells.
In a separate heat-resistant container, warm and melt the gel candle, then pour it over the sand and shells in the heat-resistant glass.
It’s recommended to mix about two colors of gel as well.
Once the gel sets, you’re done! It’s very easy because you’re simply adding the materials step by step.
Sunflower made by rolling
Sunflowers bursting with energy bloom with large flowers in summer.
Let’s make one by curling strips of paper! Prepare long, thin strips of brown paper for the center, yellow paper for the petals, and green paper for the sepals (the part under the flower).
For the petal and sepal strips, pre-cut slits or shapes to form the petals and sepals.
Since cutting paper is a delicate task, it’s recommended that staff assist.
Then, starting from the center, curl the paper strips while fixing them in place with glue.
After rolling, spread open the pre-cut petal and sepal sections—and you’re done!
Ocean Herbarium
Let’s try making a little ocean with a herbarium! A herbarium is made by putting flowers and oil into a small jar or a slender bottle.
To create an ocean-like scene, you might add leaves that look like seaweed.
Lay a layer of cute colored sand at the bottom, then add fish stickers or tiny figurines.
When placing items into the bottle, using tweezers is recommended.
Once you’ve added all your favorite ocean-themed materials, pour in the oil and it’s done! The oil gives it that soft, floating underwater feel, but it can still turn out beautifully even without oil.
Basket made with paper cups
A refreshing basket made from a paper cup—perfect for summer.
First, make 11 cuts in the paper cup and spread them out.
Thread jute twine through as if you were stitching along the slits.
For places you want to secure, such as where you start threading, fix them with glue.
Alternating over and under the slits, continue stitching until you reach a desired height.
Once the height is just right, trim off the excess part of the paper cup.
Hide the cut edge by decorating with lace or similar trim, and you’re done! Let’s all enjoy a craft project that uses simple sewing techniques.
A fan you can make with origami and chopsticks
Why not try making a hand fan to take the edge off the summer heat? All you need are disposable chopsticks and origami paper.
Prepare about three sheets of origami folded in an accordion style, then glue them together to form a fan shape.
Attach a pair of chopsticks split in two, and you’ll have a fan that opens when in use and closes when not—just like a folding fan! If you use origami with watermelon, sunflower, or fireworks patterns, it will look even more summery.
Besides using it as a fan, it’s also great as part of a wall decoration at a day-service center.