[For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Recreation: Idea Roundup
At day service craft activities, there are times when participants make items to take home.
I imagine many people display them at home, too.
This time, we’re sharing craft ideas for older adults that you can make and actually use!
We’ve gathered practical crafts you can keep using after you make them, as well as stylish pieces that look great on display.
Simply changing the origami patterns or the types of beads and ribbons can create a completely different feel, so have fun using these ideas as inspiration.
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[For Seniors] Practical Crafts for Day-Service Recreational Activities: Idea Roundup (121–130)
Sunflower Coaster
Why not try handmaking sunflower coasters that will shine in the summer season? All you have to do is cut and paste felt, so anyone can give it a try with ease! It’s handy to prepare a template in advance.
Cut the felt into petal shapes, layer two pieces, and create the sunflower’s center by weaving strips of felt.
Using different colors for the petals will enhance the design.
Finally, secure each part with a glue gun or adhesive, and you’re done.
Felt is soft to the touch and easy to work with, so be sure to incorporate it into your crafts!
Handmade desk clock
A handmade desk clock using favorite photos, postcards, or beautiful design paper makes a warm, ideal gift for seniors living in care facilities.
By using family or grandchildren’s photos, memorable landscapes, or seasonal motifs as the clock’s background, it offers a soothing sight each time they look at it and can spark conversations.
Beyond its practicality as a clock, it also serves as interior decor, brightening up their room.
A one-of-a-kind original clock will surely become a memorable gift.
kusudama (decorative paper ball used for celebrations)
Kusudama made from flyers are also recommended as room decor.
Cut the flyers to make small origami-size squares.
After making four vertical crease lines, fold along the lines.
Make 12 of these parts.
The folding is simple, so once you learn it, you’ll be able to make them smoothly.
When you have all the parts, group them into sets of three and combine each set.
Then combine the assembled sets together to complete the kusudama.
It involves fine motor work, so it’s ideal for finger exercises for seniors.
It would also look great as a hanging decoration!
Eco basket
Let’s try making an eco basket using advertising flyers or catalogs.
Open one sheet, fold it in half lengthwise, then cut along the fold.
We’ll use 10 sheets this time, so cut all of them the same way.
Following the video, make two wide paper strips and 17 narrow paper strips.
Once the strips are ready, arrange them alternately and weave them together.
After weaving the bottom, use a tissue box or similar item to make crease lines.
Continue weaving the sides, using clothespins to hold things in place.
When you reach the fifth row, cut off any excess and fold it inward.
This activity helps train concentration, making it great for dementia prevention and fine motor exercise.
Why not give it a try?
Trash bin: a stylish trapezoid-shaped box
When it comes to crafts with flyers, many people probably think of the classic trinket tray or wastebasket.
In this video, we’ll show you how to make a slightly different, stylish trapezoid-shaped box.
First, cut the flyer into a square and start making crease lines.
Fold along the lines to form a small square.
Continue folding, and finally insert your fingers into the center and open it up to create the box shape.
Many senior care facilities use flyer-made trash bins, but making something a little different might be fun.
Give it a try!
[For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Recreational Activities: Ideas Summary (131–140)
Tray, paper plate
This is a tray made from a flyer that’s also recommended for emergencies.
Fold the flyer in half, then fold it into a triangle and fold back any parts that stick out.
Make additional creases and keep folding along the lines.
The key is to make firm creases each time you fold.
This tray, which looks like a takoyaki boat dish, is handy as a small container and is also recommended as disposable paper tableware in disasters.
If you have a flyer, it’s easy to make and can be a real help in a pinch.
Be sure to master how to make it!
single-flower vase
A single-flower vase to display blossoms can make a nice accent in your room.
This time, we’re introducing a single-flower vase made from a flyer.
Prepare colored varnish spray, craft glue, chopsticks, double-sided tape, and an aluminum can.
Roll the flyer tightly to make a long, thin stick.
Trim the tip to adjust the length.
After making both long and short sticks, attach them to the aluminum can following the video as a guide, and secure them with string.
Attach wire so that it wraps around the second row of sticks and form a loop for hanging.
Shape it, spray with colored varnish, and it’s complete.