[For Seniors] DIY Strap Craft Ideas. Great as Gifts, Too!
Handmade strap crafting is recommended as an arts-and-crafts recreation activity in senior care facilities.
We’ve gathered a wide range of ideas—from simple ones that beginners can make easily to more elaborate projects suited for those skilled in handicrafts and DIY.
Because many of the tasks involve using the fingertips, they can also serve as fine-motor rehabilitation for older adults.
In addition, they’re said to provide good stimulation for the brain.
Parts for straps and the like are easy to find at 100-yen shops, so give them a look.
Find an idea that interests you and try making it together with everyone.
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[For Seniors] Handmade Strap Craft Ideas. Also Great as Gifts! (21–30)
Dear little star
How about making a strap with a star that you can easily craft using just two straws? When it comes to star decorations, the origami method might be the most familiar.
But stars made from straws have a different, dreamy look that’s really beautiful, so I recommend it.
You weave and layer the ends of the straws together, and by repeating this many times, the number of corners increases and it eventually forms a star shape.
As a variation, try using two different colored straws to make it look even more vibrant!
Keychain made with paracord
This is a keychain with a knitting-like design made using paracord.
Despite being called “knitting,” the process is simple: you wrap the paracord around your fingers and tighten it at the end, making it easy to try even for people unfamiliar with knitting.
Pay attention to how you wrap it around your fingers and which gaps you thread it through, and work carefully as you weave.
The timing of when you tighten is also important to prevent it from ending up looking like a tangled string.
Proceed while keeping a good balance between softness and durability.
[For Seniors] DIY Strap Craft Ideas. Great as Gifts, Too! (31–40)
Keychain made from a milk carton and fabric scraps
This is a simple keychain design that uses a milk carton as the base.
First, cut the batting (quilt wadding) into a shape that can wrap around the ring, and also prepare a piece cut from the milk carton to reinforce it.
Layer scrap fabric onto the batting for decoration, reinforce it with the milk carton piece, then wrap and secure the ring to finish.
You can create many variations depending on the scrap fabric designs, so make a keychain that reflects your own style.
It could also be fun to add your own touches, such as layering and gluing several types of scrap fabric.
Macaron keychain made with 100-yen shop materials
Here’s how to make a cute, round macaron keychain.
Prepare cover buttons, a tassel, fabric, Edo braided cord, jump rings, keychain hardware, and adhesive.
Place the fabric into the cap, set the button, and press it in with the setter to make a cover button.
After making two, bend the loop on the back of the buttons, apply adhesive, and stick the two buttons together.
Attach the Edo braided cord to the clasp of the joined buttons, threading it through the button’s jump ring partway and wrapping it around as you go.
Thread the tassel onto a jump ring, then likewise thread it onto the Edo braided cord and continue wrapping.
Secure everything firmly with adhesive, check the overall balance, and you’re done.
Mini Zori Strap
Let’s try knitting a cute, miniature zori sandal strap.
We’ll use metallic yarn sold at craft stores.
Metallic yarn is a thread made from materials like hemp or rayon with fine glitter woven in.
Prepare a piece of Styrofoam board with toothpicks stuck into it.
Thread the metallic yarn through them and knit the zori shape.
It seems like a project that older adults can also do, focusing while using their fingertips a lot.
It helps exercise the fingers and may stimulate the brain.
Once finished, you can attach it to a bag or keys.
Natural stone doll strap
When finished, it becomes a doll strap shaped like a little person.
Thread natural stone beads onto waxed polyester cord and use a flat knotting technique to create a figure-like shape.
The design is as cute as a little doll, but by changing the colors of the natural stone beads, you can create straps with a variety of moods.
Dark colors like black or green will give it a chic, mature look.
Some people may find the flat knotting method difficult.
It might be enjoyable for a care worker to demonstrate in front of everyone, or to make it one-on-one while chatting.
Since a lighter is used, please be careful to avoid burns.
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.