Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Simple and Fun: Craft Ideas You Can Make with Everyday Items

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
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.

What we introduce here are easy craft ideas for older adults.

They’re all easy to incorporate into recreational activities at senior facilities such as day service centers.

Using familiar, everyday materials, these crafts are simple to make, making it easy for seniors to give them a try.

We hope you’ll use craft-making to help stimulate both mind and body.

Since it involves using the hands, it also serves as brain training and can help prevent dementia.

Be sure to read this article and use it as a reference for craft activities.

[For Seniors] Easy and fun. Craft ideas you can make with everyday items (91–100)

Trash bin: a stylish trapezoid-shaped box

[Flyer Trash Bin] Easy and stylish trapezoid box: how to make it

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!

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single-flower vase

Make a single-flower vase from a flyer

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.

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A decorative box with traditional Japanese patterns

Patterned Japanese-style Variant Boxes: Practical Origami [100-Yen DIY] — Crafting with Advertising Flyers, Recycled Crafts

A decorative box with traditional Japanese patterns

If you’re doing flyer crafts, how about a cute box with Japanese patterns? Once you’ve prepared unwanted ads or catalogs and some patterned chiyogami paper, fold the flyer so it becomes long horizontally and cut it in half; also cut the origami paper in half.

Fold the flyer in half, leaving a small margin at the top, then wrap it around a pencil, gluing here and there as you go.

Once it forms a stick, attach the Japanese-patterned chiyogami.

Make many of these in the same way, then assemble them.

Glue adjacent sticks together with craft glue to form the base, then attach the sides in the same way to finish.

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[For Seniors] Simple and Fun: Craft Ideas You Can Make with Everyday Items (101–110)

Simple kusudama hanging ornament

[DIY] Easy Kusudama “Hanging Ornament” — Make it with a flyer and origami ❋ Hina decoration

Simple kusudama hanging ornament

How about turning a kusudama made from flyers into a gently swaying hanging ornament? You can make a kusudama by combining 12 small pieces.

We’ve introduced an easy method in this article and on YouTube, so please take a look for reference.

Prepare a long length of lace thread and tie a large knot at the end.

Once it’s threaded through a needle, string the parts in any order you like.

Adding beads or little cranes makes it extra cute! Finish by threading everything onto a slim rod, and you’re done.

This hanging ornament, which sways with every breeze, will brighten up any room.

Please hang it up and let it soothe you.

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openwork basket

Recycle craft: Make a see-through basket using advertising flyers

openwork basket

There are many crafts you can make with advertising flyers, but how about trying a large basket this time? Older adults may be surprised that you can make such a big basket from flyers.

Cut the glossy flyers into long, thin strips and roll them diagonally from the corner.

Secure the end with glue when you finish rolling.

Hold four and five of the thin rolled sticks in each hand, cross them, and wrap them as if tying the bundle while bending one stick at a time.

Pair the vertical spokes in twos and weave them together; once you’ve made the base, continue weaving the sides.

It’s a craft that requires concentration, imagination, and time, but because it’s a substantial project, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment when it’s finished!

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Woven basket with a cobblestone pattern

[DIY] Handmade with Advertising Flyers: Making a Basket with Stone-Pavement Weaving • Handmade by the Kotatsu [Yukinko Channel] Recycled Crafts, Upcycling, Fourfold (Yotsudatami) Fold, Accessory Case, Basket

Woven basket with a cobblestone pattern

Let’s try making a basket using the stone-paving weave by combining small cut pieces of advertisements! When you hear “stone-paving weave,” you might picture baskets made with craft bands.

In this video, we’ll take on the stone-paving weave using familiar ad flyers instead.

Fold the small cut flyers, and combine four pieces while they’re folded in half.

From there, keep adding more pieces to build the basket.

Even though the material is just paper flyers, the multiple interlocking parts create a sturdy basket.

Try making one together with everyone!

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ice wind chime

Ice cream is a popular dessert for people of all ages, isn’t it? The cool sensation and sweetness when eating ice cream are said to bring happiness and even activate the brain’s “pleasure hormones.” Today, we’re introducing wind chimes with an ice cream motif.

They’re very easy to make! First, cut a plastic bottle and draw your favorite ice cream on it.

Choose whatever you’re craving—chocolate mint, strawberry, melon, and so on.

Add a cone, and you’ll have a wind chime that looks just like real ice cream.

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