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Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami

We’d like to introduce various flower origami projects especially for seniors.

In Japan, beautiful flowers bloom with each of the four seasons.

In spring, there are cherry blossoms; during the rainy season, hydrangeas; in summer, sunflowers; in autumn, cosmos; and in winter, Christmas roses.

Why not try making seasonal flowers with origami?

We’ve gathered many easy projects so that even beginners can enjoy them.

If you love flowers—or if you’re looking for a fine-motor rehab activity—please join us in creating lovely origami flowers together.

[For Seniors] Perfect for Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami (21–30)

Dandelion wreath

Introducing how to make a three-dimensional dandelion wreath decoration with origami! Why not try making it as a spring decoration for April and May? [Tsukuru-mon]
Dandelion wreath

Spring is the season when the weather warms and many flowers begin to appear, and you’ll likely spot more dandelions as well.

This craft recreates dandelions—a quintessential spring flower—using origami and combines them into a wreath-like shape.

To make the dandelion flowers, fold a strip of origami paper in half and then fold it again to make it narrower, cut fine slits along the edge, roll it up, then spread and shape it.

The wreath base is made by assembling triangular units, and it’s recommended to use green to evoke leaves.

Finally, combine all the parts and add decorative elements like leaf pieces to complete the project.

lily of the valley

[Craft Idea] Lily of the Valley (April–May, spring) (Wall decorations, senior recreation, occupational therapy OT, day service) (Three-dimensional flower craft) (Easy craft, origami DIY, creative)
lily of the valley

Lily of the valley blooms around April to May and is strongly associated with heralding the arrival of spring.

In this project, we’ll recreate this quintessential spring flower with origami, making the bell-shaped blossoms in three dimensions.

First, cut white origami paper into a flat shape like spread petals, then attach it to a long, rolled stem piece.

From there, overlap and adjust each petal to form the bell shape.

Once the flower components are complete, attach them to a backing sheet decorated with leaves and other parts to finish.

Aim for a design where the flowers appear to pop out.

[For Seniors] Perfect for Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami (31–40)

Poppy

Poppies, which bloom from spring to summer, are also known as hinageshi or gubijinsō, and they produce colorful, round, and charming flowers.

This craft aims to create poppies that feel like the joy of spring, making them look three-dimensional as if they’re popping out from the backing paper.

You cut origami into petal shapes and assemble them into a flower, layering the pieces after making slits to give the flower a three-dimensional form.

Once the petal outline is done, place yellow in the center, and finally combine it so it looks like it’s blooming from the stem and leaf pieces attached to the backing paper, and you’re finished.

cherry blossom petals

How to easily make cherry blossom petals from a single sheet of origami♪
cherry blossom petals

As the first of the four seasons often mentioned, spring in Japan is a season that evokes new beginnings.

Let’s make sakura (cherry blossom) petals out of origami to symbolize this season of beginnings.

It’s a simple project—just fold the paper, make a few scissor cuts, and unfold—but the key is to fold carefully along the guide lines so that the five petals open out nicely.

Because of its clean, single-color look, it’s easy to use as a spring-themed element in a variety of decorations.

A wreath of vividly colored cosmos flowers

[Origami] How to Make a Cosmos (Autumn Cherry Blossom) Wreath
A wreath of vividly colored cosmos flowers

Here is an introduction to making a cosmos wreath with origami.

Cosmos petals are long and slender, right? We’ll make petals in that shape using a single sheet of origami paper.

First, fold the paper to create crease lines, then fold it into the shape of a cosmos.

Some of the folding steps are a bit complex, so older adults or others may find parts challenging.

Please have people nearby help out during the craft.

Once you’ve folded the cosmos flowers, glue them together to form a wreath.

Since the cosmos ends up shaped like a medal, it would also make a lovely gift as a medal-style decoration.

Gentian

[Origami Flower] Easy and Beautiful Gentian Folding Instructions / origami flower gentian
Gentian

Gentians, which bloom from August to November as a quintessential autumn flower, are also a classic gift for Respect for the Aged Day.

Let’s recreate the beautiful purple blossoms—said to have been used in traditional Chinese medicine—using origami.

You’ll unfold a firmly folded sheet, create radial creases spreading outward from the center, and then shape the petals to match those folds.

Paying close attention to the outward spread of the petals and moving your fingertips accordingly is key to crafting a beautifully three-dimensional gentian.

Bouquet of cosmos flowers

Many people are delighted to receive a bouquet, not just cosmos.

This time, we’re introducing a cosmos bouquet that’s fun to make and a joy to give.

Let’s fold several kinds of cosmos with origami and arrange them into a bouquet.

Choosing the colors of origami for the bouquet can be enjoyable too, don’t you think? Try making it in the favorite colors of the seniors you’re giving it to.

It’s also recommended as a bouquet gift for autumn birthdays or Respect-for-the-Aged Day.

How about adding a message card and presenting it as a gift?