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[For Seniors] Crafts and Recreation Using Bag Closures

[For Seniors] Crafts and Recreation Using Bag Closures

Last updated:2025/4/25

Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

Do you know what a bag closer is?

Even if you’ve never heard the term, you’ll probably recognize it as “the thing that closes the mouth of a bread bag.”

Bag closers can be used as name tags and are also handy for organizing strings and cords.

They can even be used as materials for crafts and as recreational items.

You can also use them to make straps and accessories.

In this article, we introduce craft ideas and recreation ideas for seniors using bag closers.

We hope you find them helpful.

[For Seniors] Crafts and Recreational Activities Using Bag Closures (1–10)

keychain

One surprisingly unconventional use for a bag clip that I’d like to introduce is as a key holder.

First, find your favorite bag clip.

It’s fine to write your name on it or color it in.

Next, make a hole in the upper-left part of the clip and attach a metal fitting—then you’re done.

Choose the fitting according to how you’ll use it; you can buy them at 100-yen shops.

Using a small fitting to attach it to a pencil case or a smartphone is also a good idea.

However, be careful: bag clips can crack when you make a hole in them.

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strap

If you’re going to make a craft, it’s nice to choose something practical.

Still, some people might feel a bit embarrassed using something that’s obviously a bag closure.

That’s why I’d like to introduce a bag-closure strap.

This craft involves stacking two bag closures to form a square and then wrapping it in fabric.

Think of it like a good-luck charm.

Bag closures are quite sturdy, so compared to inserting thick paper, the result is more water-resistant and more durable.

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Bag Closure Art

Why not try making art with bag closures? For example, you could use whole closures for the head and body, and halves for the arms and legs.

There are no strict rules—create whatever you like with a free mind.

As a tip, you might gather closures in various colors or try cutting them at unusual angles.

Building three-dimensional pieces could be fun, too.

Just be careful: the cut edges can be sharp, so watch out for injuries.

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Back closure fastening

[Independent Task] Hooking the back closure

Back closure fastening

“Back-closure hooking” is another recommended game.

In this one, you hook bread bag clips onto rubber bands.

It’s simple, but it surprisingly requires fine motor skills.

That makes it perfect for anyone who wants to build concentration.

For the hooking setup, lay a milk carton on its side, cut out an opening, and stretch rubber bands across it.

You can also make it more fun by adding elements like increasing the number of bands.

As an aside, there’s also a game where you flick the rubber bands with your finger, and the person whose back-closure clip stays on until the end wins.

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Bag closure threading game

In a senior (home-care) recreation activity, using bread bag clips and disposable chopsticks for a “Bag-Clip Threading Game.”

Bag closure threading game

If you have a large number of bag closures, you can start right away with the “Bag-Closure Threading Game.” In this game, you simply keep threading bag closures onto chopsticks or sticks.

There aren’t any strict rules, but you could compete to see who can thread the most, or race to see who can thread all of them the fastest.

Also, because this game doesn’t alter the bag closures, it’s perfect if you want to use them for crafts later.

By the way, if you can’t collect a lot of bag closures, buying them in bulk is also an option.

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Puzzle

[Saving money] [DIY puzzle] [Senior games] A recreation where you fill in with those clips that seal bread bags

Puzzle

Believe it or not, you can even enjoy a puzzle with back closures.

First, prepare two colors of back closures and arrange them in a square grid.

Next, remove all of one color.

That will leave honeycomb-like holes, right? The challenge is for a player to place the removed back closures back into those spaces.

You can also tweak the rules by completely breaking up the square and having the player rearrange them back in the same positions.

In that case, try using around ten pieces in total.

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Number arrangement game

[Indoor Recreation for Seniors] Using Bread Bag Clips for a “Bag Closer Number-Arranging Game”

Number arrangement game

The “number-ordering game” is what really showcases the new possibilities of back closures.

First, prepare a back closure and write the numbers 1 through 20 on it.

After shuffling, the goal is to arrange the numbers in order.

In other words, you’re using the back closure like a set of cards.

With this idea, you could probably make playing cards or karuta using back closures too.

If you have some time, give it a try!

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