[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] Recycle Everyday Materials: A Collection of Flyer Craft Ideas
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[For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Activities: Ideas Collection (31–40)
smartphone shoulder strap
How about making a cute little pouch using crochet hooks and yarn you can buy at the 100-yen shop? It works great as a smartphone shoulder bag and can also be used as a card case.
Since you’ll be working single-strand with chain stitches, experienced crafters can probably move along quickly.
Even if you’re not experienced, you’ll be fine if you take it carefully together.
Don’t push yourself—try it with someone who enjoys delicate handiwork.
Boosting motivation with ideas like “It could be a gift for your grandchild or child” can make it even more fun.
Heart coaster
How about an easy-to-make heart-shaped felt coaster? You don’t even need to sew—just use glue.
Round the edges and cut two pieces of felt into the same shape, then make vertical slits in both.
Interlace the slits one by one, folding them together like a weave.
Glue the last section to finish.
If you don’t round the edges or leave excess, you can weave with strip-shaped felt to make a square coaster.
Try different color combinations you like.
A bag made from a tenugui (Japanese hand towel)
It’s convenient to have a bag you can take for short outings or shopping.
And wouldn’t it be great if it were easy to make? Here’s a bag you can make using a tenugui (Japanese hand towel).
You can use one you already have at home or one from a 100-yen shop.
You might wonder, “Isn’t a tenugui too thin to make a bag?” You’ll adhere the tenugui to something sturdy—like Kent paper or cardboard—cut to the size of your pattern.
Since you’re attaching the fabric to paper, you can make it without sewing.
With this method, you can create bags and small items in various sizes.
Give it a try and use this as a reference!
Simple mini pouch
Would you like to make a gusseted mini felt pouch that you can sew by hand without using a sewing machine? It’s handy for holding small items like coins and trinkets.
First, let’s make the patterns—two types: one for the body and one for the flap.
Using those, cut two kinds of felt.
After cutting, start by sewing the flap to the body.
Use only the blanket stitch.
Then attach a button and a snap.
It’s easier to sew up the body after that.
Give it a try—this cute pouch also makes a nice little gift.
vase mat
After taping a string to the back of the plate, slot it into a slit and wrap the thread around the front and back alternately.
Once you’ve passed thread through all the slits, stitch along the center as if weaving into those threads.
Using a single color is fine, but you can also tie on a different color mid-way and weave it in to combine colors.
When it reaches a good size, remove all the strings from the paper plate and tie the extended strings at the base.
Trim any excess length and you’re done.
Choose your favorite colors and make a vase mat that’s uniquely yours.
[For Seniors] Practical crafts to make in day-service recreation: Idea collection (41–50)
Lily of the valley corsage
A corsage is an accessory worn on clothing for celebrations and festive occasions, typically a floral ornament attached to women’s dresses or outfits.
It might be nice to attend a special day wearing a corsage you made yourself.
Older adults may feel a special sense of joy, too.
Here’s an idea for a lily-of-the-valley corsage made from felt without sewing.
You’ll roll the felt to create the lily-of-the-valley.
As you make this charming piece, it may lift the spirits of older adults and spark lively conversation with those around them.
It also looks lovely when arranged on a hat or attached to a bag.
Hydrangea lampshade
A craft using hydrangeas that you’ll want to make during the rainy season.
This time, let’s try a hydrangea lampshade.
It may sound difficult from the name, but it’s actually very easy to make.
All you need are tissue paper and washi paper.
Cut tissue paper in colors that match hydrangeas.
Then simply paste them so they form hydrangea blossoms.
There’s no rule for the shape, so seniors can arrange the flowers however they like.
It boosts creativity and provides great stimulation for the brain.
It looks stylish as a lamp, and it’s also lovely when you stick it on a windowpane.
