Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Recommended for September! Craft Idea Collection

Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

September still carries the lingering heat, but it’s the time when we gradually move toward autumn.

September also features long-cherished Japanese customs and traditions, such as the Mid-Autumn Moon, Respect for the Aged Day, and the Autumnal Equinox Day.

We’d love for older adults—especially those who may find it hard to feel the seasons due to conditions like dementia—to enjoy a wonderful September as well.

With that in mind, here are some craft ideas for seniors to try in September.

These activities can serve as “brain training” by using fine motor skills, and through the finished pieces, can also lead to reminiscence therapy by recalling memories of past Septembers.

They might spark lively conversations and help create opportunities for communication.

We hope you enjoy a fun time with September crafts!

For Seniors: Recommended in September! Craft Idea Collection (51–60)

Full Moon Rabbit

[Origami for Moon Viewing] Easy and cute full moon rabbit made with a single sheet of origami / Autumn origami decoration for September — Origami Full Moon Rabbit Folding

Full Moon Rabbit

This is a craft project where you create the image of a rabbit emerging on a full moon using a single sheet of origami paper.

By cleverly folding to form both the moon and the rabbit at the same time, it also helps develop fine finger movements.

As you proceed while understanding which part you are folding, the enjoyment of seeing it gradually come together should increase.

Once you’ve made the round full moon and the rabbit shape, draw the rabbit’s facial expression to finish.

Since this is a craft that reproduces a set form, add originality through how you draw the expression.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

mochi-pounding rabbit

[Moon-Viewing Origami] How to Fold a Mochi-Pounding Rabbit (Origami no Jikan)

mochi-pounding rabbit

On the beautiful full moon night, there just might be a rabbit pounding mochi.

Let’s make a cute rabbit decoration inspired by that dreamy, delightful story.

You can craft the rabbit and the mortar and pestle used for mochi pounding out of origami, or, if you prefer, cut each shape from construction paper—both are great options.

Once you’ve made the shapes, assemble them and finish the piece by sticking them on a wall or mounting them on a large sheet of paper.

You could even make lots of rabbits to create a lively scene of mochi pounding on the moon.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Crane and Turtle

[Elderly Care Recreation] “Wall Decoration to Wish for Longevity with Cranes and Turtles” – Wall-Making Activity

Crane and Turtle

The third Monday of September is Respect for the Aged Day.

With wishes for continued health and longevity, how about making a wall decoration of cranes and turtles for the occasion? A simple method is to cut out each part from construction paper and assemble them, but creating a three-dimensional craft using items like paper plates or plastic wrap tubes is also recommended.

For the crane’s wings, using white fabric or white tissue paper will give a soft impression.

Try making many pieces—cranes at rest, cranes in flight, and turtles surrounding them—to create a lively and festive display!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Moon viewing and pampas grass

[Craft Idea] Moon Viewing and Japanese Pampas Grass (with templates) (September, Autumn) (Wall Decorations) (Activities for Seniors/Daycare) (Early Childhood Education) (Origami) (Creative OT/Psychiatry)

Moon viewing and pampas grass

This is a moon-viewing craft made with origami and tissues.

You’ll make six items: pampas grass, rice dumplings, a sanpō (offering stand), a rabbit, the moon, and clouds.

For the pampas grass, soften an edge of an origami sheet by rolling it, snip fine cuts along that edge, and wrap it around a bamboo skewer.

The rice dumplings are simply made by rolling tissues into balls.

Templates for the sanpō, rabbit, moon, and clouds are available for download—place them on origami paper, draw guide lines, and cut them out with scissors.

Arrange and paste each piece on the wall to complete your autumn wall decoration.

Let’s all enjoy the autumn scenery together.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

3D origami cosmos flower

[Craft Idea] Cosmos (Sep–Oct) (Wall Decorations) (Activities for Seniors / Occupational Therapy / Early Childhood Education) (Origami) (Original Design) (DIY Papercraft) (Flower Crafts)

3D origami cosmos flower

Cosmos, a flower that represents autumn, is simple and cute when you look at each blossom individually.

But a field covered in blooming cosmos is truly overwhelming and spectacular, isn’t it? How about recreating that cosmos field by scattering three-dimensional cosmos flowers all over a wall? You can make the cosmos flowers by cutting folded origami paper; by leaving the base intact and cutting away part of it, you create a gluing tab, resulting in flowers with a three-dimensional look.

For the leaves and stems, use the technique of detailed paper-cutting with fine-tipped scissors, and be careful not to overcut.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem