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[For Seniors] Goldfish Crafts: Recommended Project Ideas for Summer
Works featuring goldfish are refreshing items that soothe the viewer’s heart.
In many senior care facilities, indoor recreational activities tend to increase when summer is in full swing.
Since these are daily activities, we want participants to enjoy them without falling into a rut.
Goldfish seen at festivals are one of the iconic symbols of summer.
Let’s use goldfish-themed crafts that evoke the season to exercise the fingers while also helping to prevent dementia! We’ve gathered ideas ranging from classic projects made with origami and construction paper to ones using craft bands and felt—perfect for stimulating the fingertips.
[For Seniors] Goldfish Crafts: Recommended Summer Project Ideas (1–10)
Goldfish made with craft bands
Here’s an idea for making a goldfish out of craft bands.
Prepare two craft bands that are 35 cm long and 6 strips wide.
The length and width will vary depending on the size of the goldfish.
First, fold each craft band in half, layer them, and weave using the box (four-strap) weave.
Flip it over, fold the craft band, and pass it through the next gap.
Repeat folding and threading; once the head and body of the goldfish are formed, leave the fin sections and cut the craft bands.
Tuck in the cut ends to create the tail fin, and you’re done.
Add eyes to finish it off cutely.
Goldfish made with origami
Here’s an idea for making a goldfish using two sheets of origami paper.
If you use 15 cm paper, the goldfish will turn out quite large, so if you want to make a smaller one, cut the paper into quarters and use that.
With the first sheet, make the goldfish’s head and body, as well as the dorsal and pectoral fins.
With the second sheet, make the decorative tail fin.
Basically, you’ll create creases and fold along them, but for the tail fin you’ll need to open up the pockets to squash them and fold the edges narrowly, so proceed carefully.
Once both parts are finished, attach them together, add the eyes, and you’re done.
Goldfish at the summer festival
Here’s a goldfish craft idea that will be a big hit at summer festivals in your facility.
Make the goldfish by covering a balled-up tissue with flower paper, shaping it, stapling it in place, and adding eyes—that’s it! It’s cute as is, but add one more touch to give it a summer festival vibe.
Put sparkly packing material or colored cellophane into a wrapping bag to represent water.
Place the goldfish—attached to fishing line—inside, then close the wrapping bag so it forms a triangle.
This way, you can recreate the feeling of goldfish scooping at a festival!
Goldfish hanging ornaments
Here’s an introduction to a hanging goldfish decoration that gives a cool, refreshing feel.
The goldfish are made by crumpling tissue paper and wrapping it with colored flower paper.
Attach a string to the goldfish’s back.
Next, make a fishbowl from construction paper that the goldfish can fit into.
Cut a circular shape like a donut by removing the center.
Using another circular piece of construction paper for the bottom part of the fishbowl, create and paste water plants from transparent chiyogami paper.
The shape of the fishbowl can be whatever you like.
Hang the goldfish together with the fishbowl to finish.
It’s a craft that older adults can also enjoy as a way to feel the summer season.
Goldfish made with paper quilling
Let’s try making a goldfish with paper quilling, a craft where you roll narrow strips of paper to create various shapes.
Basically, you wind the paper around a thin stick like a toothpick to make coils, then loosen, pinch, and shape them into parts.
You’ll need six parts for the goldfish: one for the head and body together, three for the tail fin, and one each for the dorsal and pectoral fins.
Once the parts are ready, assemble and glue them together, then add beads for the eyes.
Create a base by gluing paper cord into a spiral, attach the goldfish to it, and you’ll have a summery wall decoration.
Morning glories and goldfish ornaments
Let’s try making a three-dimensional display of morning glories and goldfish.
The base aquarium is made by lining the bottom of an empty 6-piece cheese box with blue washi paper and attaching craft bands to the inner and outer sides.
Stand a straw on the base to serve as a support, then attach morning glories made from coffee filters colored with paint.
Make the leaves by cutting green wrapping paper.
Attach goldfish made from construction paper and straws to the base, and use garden vinyl ties to represent aquatic plants.
Finally, tie the center of the straw support with a black cord, and you’re done!
A box of swimming goldfish made of paper
Let’s make a paper box with a swimming goldfish.
There’s a template for the goldfish, so even if you’re not good at drawing, you’ll be fine.
The box itself isn’t too difficult either—you just combine the circular parts with the side parts to complete it.
Once the box is finished, attach pillar parts made with paper quilling to the edge of the bottom.
After adding height this way, place the small parts inside and layer a circular plastic sheet on top.
Attach the pillar parts again, then add the goldfish and beads, and seal it with another plastic sheet.
This creates a double-layered bottom, allowing the goldfish to slide and move.