Lovely senior life

For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
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.

If you can take home the pieces made at day service centers and other senior facilities, you can display or use them at home, adding a little extra enjoyment to everyday life.

Many older adults also enjoy focusing on the act of making things.

So this time, we’ve gathered ideas for projects you can take home.

We’ve included practical items you can use at home, like small organizers and photo frames, as well as pieces you can simply display and enjoy!

The materials are easy to prepare, and we also make use of recyclables like empty jars.

Crafting involves using your fingertips, which can stimulate the brain and help prevent cognitive decline, while also providing a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment from creating something.

Please have fun making these projects!

For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts. Day Service Take-Home Project Idea Collection (61–70)

Woven ring bag made from cardboard

[How to Make a Circular Weave Bag, Part 1] From warping to the start of weaving a circular-woven jute twine bag using the eco-oririn® (utility model registered), a simple cardboard-loom. Finishing continues in Part 2.

Woven ring bag made from cardboard

You can make a genuine hemp bag using a simple homemade loom.

Cut slits into both ends of a piece of cardboard and thread the hemp twine through.

Pass a stick wound with hemp through both the front and back sides, weaving as if using a loom.

This way, you can create a seamless, tubular piece.

Once you finish weaving, cut it free from the cardboard and tie the yarn.

Attach your preferred handles and a base for the bag, and your lovely hemp bag is complete.

It’s an easy method, but the natural finish will elevate your style when you carry this bag.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Grape brooch made with tsumami-zaiku

⁂ Tsumami-zaiku ⁂ A cute, plump grape brooch 🍇

Grape brooch made with tsumami-zaiku

Tsumami-zaiku is made by folding small pieces of fabric.

Although it involves lots of delicate work, seniors who enjoy handicrafts or are good with their hands may find it fun to make.

Let’s try making a grape brooch, a great autumn craft using tsumami-zaiku.

Create the folded pieces and secure them with glue, then attach them to a base fabric in the shape of grapes.

Cut the base fabric into a grape shape, insert a piece of cardstock, and sew felt onto the back.

Add a brooch pin to complete the brooch.

The finished piece looks cute when attached to a bag or clothing.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Simple lampshade

[100-Yen DIY] Easy Lampshade: Crafting with Disposable Chopsticks — Simple Stick-On DIY

Simple lampshade

Doesn’t having small wooden items or furniture in a room help you feel at ease? You can sense the warmth and coziness of wood, too.

Here’s a simple lampshade you can make using disposable chopsticks.

Glue four chopsticks together to form a square.

Make several of these parts and stack and glue them together.

You’ll end up with a wooden lampshade with a charming, handcrafted look.

Because the method is simple, older adults may also find it easy to focus on making.

Place an LED light—available at 100-yen shops—inside the shade to beautifully accent your room.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

An owl spreading its large, leaf-like wings

https://www.tiktok.com/@simiscraft/video/7420758048664227104

Let’s try making an owl using pinecones, acorn caps, leaves, googly-eye stickers, felt, and construction paper.

Glue an acorn cap to the pinecone base with the inside of the cap facing forward.

Attach small googly-eye stickers inside the cap.

Cut feet and a beak from felt or construction paper and glue them to the base.

To evoke outstretched wings, attach leaves on both sides—and it’s done.

The owl’s look will change depending on the color and shape of the wings, so find leaves you like and give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Butterfly and flower decorations woven with a cardboard Y-shaped knitting spool

Cardboard Y-shaped lucet, yarn butterfly and flower decorations, easy crafts, educational toy ❤︎ DIY/card board/knitting fork/Lucet ❤︎ #630

Butterfly and flower decorations woven with a cardboard Y-shaped knitting spool

Lillian, which was popular in the Showa era, has made a comeback during the self-isolation of the COVID period.

Some of you may remember the cylindrical knitting tool, but there’s also a wooden Y-shaped Lillian knitting tool.

The cylindrical one uses a knitting needle, while the wooden one is worked with your fingers.

Even small children can use their hands to make projects.

You can even make a Y-shaped Lillian tool out of cardboard, so why not give it a try? By wrapping yarn around the Y-shaped part, you can create simple decorations like butterflies and flowers.

With their rustic look, these handmade pieces bring a warm, handcrafted feel when displayed indoors.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Snowman made from Yakult containers

[100-Yen DIY] Snowman made from Yakult containers ⛄️

Snowman made from Yakult containers

Lined up in different colors, they look adorable! Here’s an idea for making snowmen out of empty lactic acid drink containers.

These simple and cute handmade decorations are perfect for the snowy season and can be enjoyed by older adults as well.

Attach materials to the empty containers, draw the snowmen’s faces and hats, and decorate them with ribbons or felt.

The handiwork engages fine motor skills, which can help stimulate the brain and foster concentration.

The snowmen you make will brighten up any indoor space.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Kalimba

[Warimba] I tried making a kalimba out of disposable chopsticks! #shorts

Kalimba

Are you familiar with an instrument called the kalimba? It’s an African instrument that you play by plucking thin metal tines with your fingers.

Other than the thin metal parts, the rest is made of wood.

Let’s try making the wooden part using disposable chopsticks.

Cut bamboo chopsticks to half their length and glue them together with wood glue.

Once the chopsticks are glued into a single board-like piece, attach chopsticks fitted with hairpins and secure them with rubber bands.

Adjust the position of the hairpins to tune the notes, and you’re done.

Once it’s finished, it can be fun for seniors to play together in a little concert along with music.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem