Take-Home Craft Ideas for Winter: Perfect for Day Services for Seniors

A spinning top made from a milk carton

"牛乳パックでこまをつくろう" → "Let's make spinning tops from milk cartons!"

It seems that many older adults enjoy craft activities at care facilities while keeping their hands active.

Making spinning tops from milk cartons is simple yet allows for creativity.

With safety in mind, make a hole in the bottom of the carton and use a toothpick as the axle.

For the top’s surface, you can draw patterns freely with pens or decorate it with masking tape and stickers to create an original design.

The finished tops are easy to take home, and if everyone holds a spinning-top contest, it’s sure to be a hit.

Stand it up and display it! Santa Claus

[Craft Idea] Standing Santa Claus (December) (Christmas Decorations) (Senior Recreation) (Arts & Crafts) (Early Childhood Education) (Wall Decorations)

Christmas decorations look lovely as wallpaper, but standing them up makes them a joy to look at.

This time, we’ll show you how to make a stand-up Santa Claus decoration! The key point is using straws for the legs.

Wrap copy paper around them to add weight and make it more stable.

The triangle hat with cotton is adorable, too.

The decorative parts involve fine work, so if it’s difficult, provide assistance as you complete it.

The angle at which you attach the head and arms brings out each piece’s personality, making for delightful creations.

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hanauta obasan

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Setsubun wreath

[Demon Slayer] Setsubun Wreath (Oni Wall Decoration)

Would you like to make a Setsubun wreath together? We’ll fold oni (ogres), Otafuku masks, beans, and more with origami and attach them to a wreath base.

To make it easier for older adults, let’s avoid complicated steps and choose simple folding methods.

For the wreath base, you’ll make several identical parts, so once you get the hang of it, the process becomes fun.

When finished, you can hang the wreath on the wall as a lovely piece that captures the season.

Origami uses your fingertips, so it’s great brain training, and it’s also appealing that everyone can create uniquely personal pieces.

How about spending time with older adults enjoying this activity and feeling the arrival of spring together?

Oni and Setsubun decorations made with paper bowls

[Craft Idea] Setsubun Crafts: Otafuku Mask, Oni (Demon), Kanabō (Spiked Club), Plum Blossoms – Japanese Event Crafting (February) (Senior Recreation) (Early Childhood/Educational) (Wall Decorations) (Creative) (Paper Bowls) (3D) (Origami)

Create three-dimensional Oni and Otafuku figures using paper bowls.

Paper bowls sold at 100-yen shops work perfectly.

Cut the bowls for the Oni and Otafuku, and use crumpled origami paper to form their faces and hair.

You can also make the Oni’s distinctive, permed-looking rounded hair by crumpling origami paper.

Yarn or thinly cut strips of origami paper can also be glued on as hair.

Because this craft involves crumpling and squeezing paper, it uses the hands a lot.

It’s said that “the hands are a second brain,” with many nerves connecting the fingertips to the brain.

Using the hands and fingers helps activate the brain and can aid in dementia prevention.

Enjoy this brain-training craft activity and create wonderful pieces!

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Nakajima Junko

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Collage Daruma

Elderly crafts Winter Easy [New Year] Paper collage Daruma [Fun crafting time]

This is a lucky daruma doll you make with your favorite patterns.

What you’ll need: a plain white daruma, washi paper with patterns you like, glue, and a brush pen.

To make it, simply tear the washi paper and glue it on.

Just doing this step gives it a warm, papier-mâché-like finish.

Once you’ve covered it with washi paper without leaving gaps, draw the face with the brush pen.

You can draw a traditional daruma face, or try something different to give it a unique touch.

Paint one eye while making your wish, and paint the other eye when your wish comes true!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Hamaya and Ema

[Craft Idea] Hamaya and Ema (a ceremonial arrow used to drive off evil) Paper Straw Craft (New Year) (paper straws) (activities for seniors and preschool) (wall decoration)

Shall we make ema wishing plaques and hamaya decorative arrows for the New Year? You can prepare them easily using paper straws and construction paper or origami paper.

The key is to write your wish on the ema and imbue it with your own prayer.

It’s said to help make use of older adults’ fine motor skills and stimulate the brain as well.

Through the craft activity, it would be wonderful for each person to express their creativity and feel the joy and happiness of the New Year.

Even during the busy holiday season, it’s easy to try, so please give it a go.

Let’s spend time together enjoying a fun crafting session to start the new year.

Angels and wreaths made of paper

[Craft Idea] Angels and Wreaths ~Craft~ (November/December) (Christmas Wreath) (Wall Decoration) (Childcare/Educational) (Senior Recreation) (Easy Craft) (Doily) (Creative)

Paper angels and wreaths—what a lovely idea.

This craft lets older adults enjoy using their fingers and fine motor skills.

Delicate angels made by folding lace paper will likely have wonderfully unique expressions.

Cutting the hair with scissors can also be a fun way for each person to add their own personal touch.

Combine them with an origami holly wreath to create a piece full of Christmas spirit.

Seasonal crafts like these can warm the hearts of older adults.

Once finished and displayed, they’re sure to become a cherished memory.