[For seniors] A handmade calendar you’ll want to make in February
How about making a handmade calendar together with older adults, instead of just looking at the usual one every day? By making it yourself, you’ll feel more attached to it, and it will bring you joy each time you see it.
We introduce various types of calendars—wall-mounted, desktop, and tear-off daily styles—so why not start with an easy one? Some include messages on each day’s page or use photos.
Turning the page might become a daily pleasure! Use this article as a reference and enjoy a fun crafting time.
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
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- [For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
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- [For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements
- Design ideas for birthday message boards for seniors: easy DIY
- [For Seniors] February Wall Decorations: Setsubun-Themed! Fun Ideas with Oni Demons and Ehomaki Sushi Rolls
- [For Seniors] Heartwarming Handmade New Year’s Cards: Fun Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- For seniors: Year-round ideas for wall decorations
- [For Seniors] Make an April Calendar: Fun Ideas to Brighten Your Mood
- [For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January
- For Seniors: Recommended Wall Decoration Ideas for March
[For Seniors] Want to Make in February! Handmade Calendar (1–10)
Setsubun calendar
When you think of events in February, some of you might picture Setsubun.
So, let’s make a Setsubun-themed calendar.
You can fold an oni (ogre) out of origami and glue it onto the calendar base, or you can color a Setsubun illustration and use that instead.
Both origami and coloring involve dexterous finger movements, which stimulate the brain and can be expected to have brain-training benefits.
Seasonal crafts like a Setsubun calendar are also recommended for older adults who may find it difficult to keep track of time.
Through these activities, they may be able to feel the changing seasons.
Handmade calendar with photos and fallen leaves
Why not take photos during events and recreation at senior facilities or day services? Let’s use those memory-filled photos to make a calendar.
You can easily create one by pinning or gluing the photos along with printed months and dates onto a calendar backing.
Of course, you can also decorate the calendar with fallen leaves or nuts you found on a walk, in addition to the photos.
It will make a lovely piece to take home and display in the seniors’ rooms.
Easy Origami Calendar
How about making a simple, original handmade calendar out of origami paper? You can buy various patterns of origami at 100-yen shops.
Find your favorite patterns and colors, and create your own original calendar! If you use designs that match each season, it will feel wonderfully seasonal.
Transparent origami paper also gives a fun, translucent look! For the date section, you can create it on a computer, or use sticker-type dates available at 100-yen shops for convenience.
Of course, handwritten is also fine.
A handmade calendar that combines the things you like will feel special and dear to you.
Give it a try as a craft activity with older adults!
[For Seniors] Things to Make in February! Handmade Calendar (11–20)
tear-off calendar
As a handmade calendar idea, how about a flip-style daily calendar? You’ll need a few supplies like card rings, a cork board, hooks, or a photo frame, but the great thing about this flip calendar is that once you make it, you can keep using it in the following months and years.
When reusing it, try changing the background illustrations so you won’t get bored and can keep enjoying it.
You can easily create the date parts and background illustrations by downloading them from this video, but making them yourself adds originality and looks wonderful! Definitely consider incorporating this as a craft activity for seniors.
Camellias carved with an eraser stamp
Eraser stamps have a unique handmade feel.
You carve drawings or letters sketched on an eraser with a craft knife to make a stamp.
Seasonal eraser stamps are perfect for creating calendars.
Let’s try making a calendar with a camellia eraser stamp, the flower of February.
Use a craft knife or carving tools to make the eraser stamp.
It might also be a good idea for staff to prepare the eraser stamps in advance.
If you swap the camellia for a plant that matches each season, you can enjoy an eraser-stamp calendar any time of year.
Perpetual calendar on a corkboard
Here’s an introduction to a perpetual calendar made with a cork board and yarn.
Tie the end of the yarn to make a loop, then thread it through cards labeled with dates up to 31.
Pre-punch holes in the cards so you can thread the yarn through them.
A key point is to start threading from the 31st so you can use it as a calendar.
Insert five pins on each side of the cork board to hold the yarn, and starting from the top row, hook the card with “1” onto the pins in order using the yarn.
Since the starting weekday varies by month, be mindful of where you place the “1” card.
The overall feel changes depending on how you write the numbers, so discussing how to display the dates together with older adults could make for an enjoyable time.
Message tear-off daily calendar
Handmade calendars often give a warm, comforting feeling, don’t they? This time, I’d like to introduce a tear-off daily calendar with short messages.
Don’t worry—there’s no need to overthink the messages.
For example, in February, when the cold days continue, a simple one-liner like “Take care of your health” is perfectly fine.
Messages about seasonal events, such as Setsubun or Valentine’s Day, are also great.
It also sounds fun to spend time with seniors thinking up various messages together.
It seems they were able to feel the seasons this way as well.
If you like, please use this as a reference for making a lovely calendar.