[For Seniors] Recommended for September! Craft Idea Collection
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!
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- [For Seniors] Easy Crafts Recommended for August
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[For Seniors] Recommended in September! Craft Idea Collection (11–20)
Moon-viewing and sunset with collage and origami
These moon-viewing and sunset decorations are perfect for September indoor displays! They’re easy to make with familiar materials, making them ideal for at-home craft time or activities at day-service centers.
The key is to create the background by sticking hand-torn pieces of origami paper onto a paper plate.
Then just arrange moon-viewing motifs like the moon, clouds, rabbits, and pampas grass, and you’re done.
You can either fold the motifs from origami or cut them out of origami paper.
Tearing and folding paper also helps train seniors’ fine motor skills and can aid in dementia prevention, so be sure to incorporate these activities proactively!
Aurora Acorn
Let’s make aurora acorns using holographic film sold at 100-yen shops.
If you’re using acorns you picked up, be sure to prevent insects first by boiling them or using another sterilization method.
Start by removing the acorn caps and polishing the outside until it shines using a receipt.
Make a hole in the bottom with an awl, insert a toothpick or small stick for a handle, then brush on liquid laundry starch and decorate with holograms in your favorite colors.
Finish by applying another coat of laundry starch and putting the cap back on.
You’re done! Add a screw eye to turn it into a keychain or ornament.
Quilling art: grapes
This is a grape art piece made with quilling, where you roll narrow strips of paper.
Cut construction paper into long, thin strips and roll them around a chopstick.
Since it uses the fingertips, it can also help stimulate the brains of older adults.
Make several rolled pieces and glue them onto a backing so they resemble grape berries.
It already looks like grapes at this stage, but we’ll add a bit more.
Prepare circular cutouts of origami paper in colors like purple or pink.
When you glue these circles on top of the rolled paper attached to the backing, it creates a grape-like, realistic effect.
Displaying the grape artwork in a frame made from tree branches is also recommended.
You can even use branches you find while taking a walk in a park.
Dragonfly craft
The sight of dragonflies darting about against the backdrop of a sunset is one of the quintessential scenes that evokes autumn, isn’t it? Let’s recreate that landscape of dragonflies silhouetted by the setting sun using origami.
The key is how to make the dragonfly: roll a strip of red origami paper into a slender tube for the body, then attach parts like the eyes and wings to give it a three-dimensional look.
Next, paste elements like the setting sun and plants such as pampas grass onto a backing sheet, and layer the dragonflies on top to complete the scene.
Choosing different colors for the dragonflies to create your own unique style is another fun aspect.
Grapes made with an origami heart
We’d like to introduce a calendar made with heart-shaped grape origami.
Autumn brings many harvests and everything tastes especially delicious, doesn’t it? It’s said that the peak shipping season for grapes generally starts around September.
A grape-themed calendar, one of the flavors of autumn, would help older adults feel the seasonal atmosphere.
Since the grapes are made from origami folded into heart shapes, some seniors might enjoy the cute style.
When making the grape vines, try wrapping vine-colored origami around a toothpick.
Add leaves and attach them to the grapes to create a piece that looks like real grapes.
Grape picture postcard
We’re going to make a grape-themed craft using a stencil for stamping.
Cut construction paper into round shapes of different sizes.
Place the cut circles on the postcard backing and start stamping.
The key is to shift the circles as you stamp so they form the shape of a bunch of grapes.
You can use pieces of cut sponge as stamps, or purchase dedicated stamps from craft stores.
This stamping craft seems like something older adults would also enjoy.
Once it’s finished, you can have fun sending your grape art postcards to family and friends.
[For Seniors] Recommended in September! Craft Idea Collection (21–30)
Making grapes with coffee filters
Here’s an introduction to a grape craft using coffee filters.
You might hear older adults ask, “Can you really do crafts with coffee filters?” Yes, you can.
Coffee filters don’t tear even when you place something moist on them.
This craft uses that water-resistant property.
Cut the coffee filter into round shapes like grapes.
Use liquid glue to stick them onto a backing sheet.
Then paint them with your preferred grape-colored paint.
If you peel off the filters before the paint fully dries, the paint will bleed through and create a grape-like image on the backing sheet.
You can also take the peeled-off filters and stick them on another sheet to make more grapes.
It’s fun to create two different styles of artwork in one go.