[For Senior Daycare Centers] Ideas for Summer Take-Home Crafts
What comes to mind when you think of summer? In July, there’s Tanabata, and in August you might picture the sea or mountains, watermelon, shaved ice, and summer festivals—classic summer motifs.
This time, we’ll introduce easy-to-make, take-home projects that are perfect for summer and can be done at a day service.
Seasonal items like uchiwa fans, wall decorations, and wind chimes let you fully enjoy summer and are convenient to use at home.
If you’re wondering what summer crafts to make at a day service, please use these ideas as a reference.
- For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Hot Summer to the Fullest! A Collection of Easy Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas
- [Day Service] August Craft Ideas That Seniors Will Enjoy
- [Day Service] Spring Take-Home Crafts: Ideas to Warmly Brighten Your Room
- [For Seniors] Introducing Fun Crafts Made with Plastic Bottle Caps
- [For Seniors] Exciting Summer Wall Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day services! Simple and cute small craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Small craft ideas: for yourself and as gifts!
- Take-Home Craft Ideas for Winter: Perfect for Day Services for Seniors
- [Day Service] Handmade Autumn Crafts: Take-Home Project Ideas
- Simple Crafts for the Elderly Recommended for Tanabata
- [For Seniors] June-Themed Activities: Recommended Recreation and Game Collection
[For Senior Day Service] Summer Take-Home Craft Ideas (1–10)
Goldfish Herbarium
We also recommend a cool-looking goldfish herbarium that helps ease the summer heat.
A herbarium is an item made by filling a glass container with a special oil and placing plants inside.
Many people have probably seen the type with flowers in a tall, narrow bottle.
This time, the idea is to treat the oil as if it were water, put aquatic plants in the bottle, and add goldfish stickers.
It’s fun to mull over which goldfish to use, too.
decorative photo frame
Of course, there are plenty of summer-themed activities, and with family visiting during Obon, July and August are packed with fun events.
That also means you’ll probably have more opportunities to take photos.
So here’s an idea I’d like to share: decorated photo frames.
This involves taking photo frames bought at a 100-yen shop and embellishing them.
Using shells and sand creates a beach-like, distinctly summery vibe.
It’s perfect for preserving your summer memories.
Fireworks Milk Carton Fan
On hot summer days, many older adults have probably fanned themselves with a hand fan.
Here’s a perfect summer craft idea: a handmade uchiwa (Japanese fan).
Using an empty milk carton, you can make a sturdy fan.
Cut the milk carton into a circle and tape a chopstick to the outer (printed) side to serve as the handle.
Then cut another circular piece from a milk carton and attach it on top with the white side facing outward.
Draw fireworks on a round piece of construction paper, stick it onto the fan, and you’re done.
The fireworks motif enhances the summery feel and will help older adults enjoy the sense of the season.
[For Senior Daycare Centers] Summer Take-Home Craft Ideas (11–20)
Sunflower Coaster
Sunflowers are practically synonymous with summer.
Spotting them blooming cheerfully on a hot, humid day instantly lifts your spirits! How about making coasters inspired by these sunny flowers? Even if you’re not good at crafts, this project is simple—just cut and glue felt—so why not give it a try? The center of the sunflower is made by weaving felt.
Because it involves fine motor work, it’s also effective for dementia prevention in older adults.
You’ll be totally absorbed! Brighten up your summer tea time with coasters you’ve made yourself.
Stained glass-style fireworks
This stained-glass-style craft lets you feel the beauty of fireworks bursting in the night sky and is a vibrant project recommended for older adults as well.
Fold a sheet of black construction paper in half and mark the areas to cut so they form the shapes of fireworks.
After freely drawing the firework patterns, carefully cut along the marks.
Layer and attach colored cellophane—such as red, yellow, and blue—onto a piece of parchment (baking) paper to create multicolored fireworks.
Finally, place the cut black paper on top, and you’ll have stained-glass-style fireworks you can enjoy by holding them up to the light.
Display them by a window to catch sunlight or the evening glow for a sparkling effect that’s a treat for the eyes.
Using scissors and glue, this summery project offers gentle, hands-on work that’s enjoyable without strain, making it especially appealing.
Translucent chopstick rest
Tanabata, the July festival, often evokes images of flowing rivers and clear, translucent colors.
By making familiar items like chopstick rests in transparent hues, you can easily capture that fresh summer atmosphere.
The idea is simple: use an ordinary chopstick rest as a mold with resin, then add decorations.
If you choose a Tanabata theme, go for a sparkling, starry-sky feel; if you choose an ocean theme, aim for a refreshing look centered on blues.
It’s best to decide on a clear theme and add decorations to match it.
Origami Hanging Ornament: “Goldfish Swaying in the Breeze”
When we think of summer in Japan, Tanabata and summer festivals are essential events, and goldfish are a motif that evokes those summertime occasions.
Let’s make a hanging decoration that sways gently in the breeze, inspired by the way goldfish swim through water.
By arranging the goldfish within a circle, it also conveys the image of a fishbowl.
If you incorporate a strong red to vividly decorate the goldfish, and craft the surrounding areas mainly with refreshing colors like blue, the goldfish will stand out even more.