[For Seniors] Simple and Fun: Craft Ideas You Can Make with Everyday Items
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.
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[For Seniors] Easy and Fun: Craft Ideas You Can Make with Everyday Items (21–30)
Japanese-style name tag
This is a name tag made by layering various materials such as origami paper and fabric with traditional Japanese-style patterns.
The key point is how you arrange the layers, and it’s a great way to use leftover origami or fabric scraps from other crafts.
Cut unwanted cardboard to your desired size and use it as a base, then wrap it with origami paper or fabric.
If you’ll use it as a name tag, it’s recommended to leave a space for the name when wrapping, or attach the name afterward.
Rather than expressing a Japanese feel with patterns alone, adding three-dimensional motifs like flowers could also be interesting.
Shrink plastic initial key holder
Let’s try making an initial keychain using a plastic sheet, commonly known as a shrink plastic (Plaban).
Cut the sheet into the shape of an initial and heat it in a toaster oven.
It will shrink to about a quarter of its original size.
With the right baking technique, you can prevent the plastic from burning.
Before heating, sketch your design and color it with an oil-based marker or Posca pens, or try adding stickers after baking.
Older adults can enjoy making these too.
A one-of-a-kind initial keychain made from shrink plastic—once it’s finished, attach it to your house keys or bag.
Flower basket
Here’s a small, cute flower basket you can make using a plastic bottle cap and felt.
Apply double-sided tape around the outside of the bottle cap, then stick on paper cord, wrapping it all the way around.
Attach pom-poms (decoration balls) to the inside, twist a piece of paper cord to form the handle, and attach it to complete the basket.
Cut felt into long, wavy strips.
Thread a needle through and pull to shape it into a flower.
Decorate the center of the flower with beads, then attach it to the basket to finish.
This craft is also recommended for rehabilitation and recreational activities in senior care facilities, so give it a try!
Felt coaster
Let’s try making coasters out of felt that you can use during snack time at senior facilities or day service centers! If you cut the felt into your favorite shapes—like circles or squares—and combine them with other pieces of felt, you’ll end up with stylish coasters.
Even without a sewing machine, you can easily attach the parts using a glue gun or fabric glue.
You can mix different colors of felt to make colorful coasters, or keep the palette limited for a chic finish.
They also make great gifts, so give it a try!
Felt bag
Let me introduce a felt bag that’s perfect for a quick outing.
Amazingly, the only material you need is a single sheet of felt measuring 70 cm by 60 cm.
Fold the felt in half, then cut out the main body of the bag along with six long, narrow rectangles.
It’s easier if you prepare a pattern in advance before working with the felt.
Tie the slits you make in the bag body, and braid the long, narrow pieces you cut.
Finish by tying the braided felt to the bag body.
It’s such a wonderful piece that you’ll find yourself wondering, “Did we really not use a needle?” While enjoying the process, let’s encourage older adults to make plenty of use of their fine motor skills.
How to crochet a fluffy flower motif
Let’s try making this with a crochet hook! Here are some ideas for a fluffy flower motif.
By crocheting back and forth on the front and back, it turns out three-dimensional, so it’s super cute as a keychain—highly recommended! Use medium-weight yarn and a size 7 (Japanese) crochet hook, and take your time stitching carefully.
The soft, fluffy flower motif is an easy and enjoyable project even for crochet beginners.
Since it finishes with a puffy, three-dimensional look, turning it into a keychain is a lovely touch.
Take this opportunity to give it a try!
Embroidery kit
These days, 100-yen shops sell all kinds of items.
They even have craft sections, so you can enjoy crafts without going to a specialty store.
Today, I’d like to introduce 100-yen embroidery kits.
They come with fabric printed with embroidery patterns and a set of instructions explaining the stitches and steps.
The designs include flowers, alphabets, and more, so pick your favorite and give it a try.
You can also find suitable threads and embroidery hoops in the craft section at the 100-yen shop.
Older adults can enjoy quietly stitching their projects while having lively conversations with those around them.