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[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.

[For Seniors] Practical crafts to make in day-service recreation. Idea roundup (211–220)

tapioca juice

Origami [Tapioca Juice] How to fold: an easy and cute way to make a tapioca drink ♪ ◇ Origami paper “bubble tea” easy tutorial
tapioca juice

Tapioca drinks that sparked a huge boom might feel unfamiliar to some seniors, but they turn out super cute—why not give them a try? You could even make them with your grandkids and give them as gifts! Use a single sheet of origami paper to make the drink cup, and create the tapioca pearls by punching circles out of black origami with a hole punch.

If you don’t have a hole punch or find it troublesome, you can simply use black round stickers instead.

A red straw adds a nice accent, so make that last to finish it off! Changing the color of the origami will change the vibe, so be sure to experiment.

A friendship bracelet made of cardboard

Kumihimo Friendship Bracelet Made with Yarn and Cardboard #shorts #misanga
A friendship bracelet made of cardboard

Here’s how to make a friendship bracelet using cardboard and yarn.

Prepare a piece of cardboard and mark it using a compass and a ruler.

Cut slits along the marks.

Once you have your yarn ready, weave it through the slits as you braid.

When it reaches the desired length, remove it from the cardboard, tie it off, and trim any excess yarn to finish.

Because you use cardboard, it avoids excessive strain and lets you work your fingertips moderately, making it safe and comfortable for older adults as well.

It’s also said that the colors of friendship bracelets carry meanings.

Why not make one as a gift for someone special?

Tulip arrangement

[Origami] How to make a parallel tulip arrangement / 【折り紙】チューリップのパラレルアレンジメントの作り方
Tulip arrangement

Fresh flowers are lovely, but handmade ones have their own charm and are wonderful too.

This time, we’re making a parallel arrangement of tulips using origami.

Please prepare origami paper, bamboo skewers, scissors, tape or glue, and wood glue while watching the video.

Once you get the hang of it, you can make plenty! They’re perfect for interior decor, and by crafting tulips in various colors, you can enjoy a touch of spring indoors.

They’re also great for recreational activities.

Have fun making them!

Tulip wreath

[Origami] How to Make a Tulip Wreath
Tulip wreath

Tulips are one of the flowers that color the spring season, and their rich variety of hues conveys the excitement of spring.

This is a wreath that captures that springtime joy by arranging colorful tulips on a circular base.

It’s recommended to make the wreath base in green to evoke leaves; create triangular pieces and insert adjacent pieces into the gaps to form a circle.

Then just add tulips and other decorations to the base to finish.

To make the tulips really stand out, it’s important to use folds to give them a three-dimensional look.

[For Seniors] Practical crafts to make in day service activities: Idea roundup (221–230)

necklace

[Paper Quilling] Just roll it up! DIY Paper Quilling Necklace | Easy Handmade
necklace

This necklace features a soft, antique-like color palette that you wouldn’t believe was made from paper.

You roll thin strips of paper to create two sizes of rings, then combine them to form the necklace.

After rolling, fix the paper with glue and finish it with pale tones using acrylic paint.

Finally, assemble the pieces and thread a leather cord to complete it.

By experimenting with how you apply the acrylic paint and how you combine the parts, you can create your own unique design—and sharpen your creativity in the process.

name keychain

Name key holder made with plastic bottle caps
name keychain

Here’s how to make a name keychain using plastic bottle caps.

Prepare caps in your favorite colors and cut them into small pieces.

Arrange the pieces on a sheet of baking paper, cover with another sheet, and press with a high-heat iron to melt the plastic.

Once it cools and hardens, cut it into your desired shape with scissors.

Punch a hole with an awl, add alphabet or other stickers, thread a chain through, and you’re done.

It makes a great little gift, so give it a try!

Swatch name card

[DIY] Make the Most of Fabric Scraps: Easy Ways to Create Card and Name Holders
Swatch name card

Let’s make a name holder you can wear around your neck using a card case, a neck strap, and your favorite fabric! You’ll need fabric large enough to cover both sides of the card case, and you can even use fabric scraps, which makes this a great way to use leftovers.

Apply fusible interfacing to the back of your chosen fabric, cut out an opening so the front of the card case is visible, and finish the fabric edges.

You can sew it by hand or with a machine, but considering safety, effort, and ease of handling, why not try using fabric glue instead? It feels more like a craft project than sewing.