For seniors: Brighten your window with handmade wind chimes — creative ideas
Wind chimes are one of the quintessential symbols of summer, and their cool, tinkling “chirin-chirin” sound is so appealing.
Typically, they have a hemispherical glass body with a glass rod hanging by a string, and they ring when the wind blows.
Making one by hand can be quite challenging, but there are ways to craft wind chimes using familiar materials!
In this article, I’ll share wind chime-making ideas recommended for older adults.
They’re perfect for craft recreation activities in care facilities.
However, some ideas include steps that are a bit complex or require strength, so please have facility staff provide support as needed.
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[For Seniors] Decorate your windowsill: Handmade wind chime ideas (1–10)
Wind chime sun catcher
Suncatchers that sparkle in the sunlight create tiny rainbows and reflections around the room, lifting your spirits.
The visual stimulation can also help prevent depression and reduce stress.
Let’s try making a suncatcher by hand! Prepare tissue paper and cut it into circular shapes.
Attach them to a template shaped like a wind chime.
Make a small strip (tanzaku) from origami paper and stick it to the wind chime, and you’re done in no time.
If you add a bell with a subtle touch, it will create a pleasant, soothing effect.
clear-file wind chime
Because clear plastic files let light through, decorating them with colored film or pens creates the beauty of a glass-like wind chime.
The gentle, translucent colors are easy on the eyes and relaxing just to look at.
They also stimulate the senses of older adults, which can help with dementia prevention.
Cut the clear file to the desired size and attach the pieces.
Add your favorite decorations with beads or masking tape, and your original wind chime is complete! Let the transparent, beautiful wind chime soothe your body and mind.
Jelly Cup: Twinkle Star Wind Chime
Star-shaped and sparkly decorations have eye-catching beauty and a playful vibe that brighten your heart just by looking at them.
The way they shine as they reflect sunlight or indoor lighting provides visual stimulation and helps refresh the mood of older adults.
Prepare a jelly cup and stick on your favorite star stickers.
Add a holographic strip and a little bell, and it’s done in no time! Star motifs remind us of childhood dreams and our longing for the sky.
Even as we grow older, they gently resonate in our hearts as symbols of dreams and hope.
[For Seniors] Decorate Your Windowsill: Handmade Wind Chime Ideas (11–20)
ice wind chime
Ice cream is a popular dessert for people of all ages, isn’t it? The cool sensation and sweetness when eating ice cream are said to bring happiness and even activate the brain’s “pleasure hormones.” Today, we’re introducing wind chimes with an ice cream motif.
They’re very easy to make! First, cut a plastic bottle and draw your favorite ice cream on it.
Choose whatever you’re craving—chocolate mint, strawberry, melon, and so on.
Add a cone, and you’ll have a wind chime that looks just like real ice cream.
Wind chimes made from egg cartons
Eggs are something almost every household uses.
This time, we’re sharing an idea to transform an egg carton into a wind chime.
First, cut out a single-cup section of the carton.
Make a hole in the center, then decorate the rim with bead stickers or similar embellishments.
Prepare a small hanging strip (tanzaku) decorated to your liking, and thread it together with a bell; attach a pipe cleaner at the front end.
Add a bead to secure the carton, twist the pipe cleaner, and your wind chime is ready to hang anywhere.
The steps are simple, and because it uses fine motor skills, it’s perfect as a recreational activity in senior care facilities.
Wind chimes made from gashapon capsules
Many of you have probably enjoyed capsule toy machines with your grandchildren or children when you go out together.
They’re affordable, and you get that exciting feeling of not knowing which toy you’ll win.
Instead of throwing away the container as you usually would, let’s use it to make a wind chime.
Just put whatever you like inside the container, attach a bell and a strip, and it’s done in no time.
These wind chimes don’t cost much, and they’re easy to make even for those who aren’t good at crafts.
Be sure to have fun making them together!
Watermelon wind chime
Wind chimes are a hallmark of summer.
This time, we’re introducing an idea for making a watermelon wind chime out of origami.
Please note that you’ll need origami paper that’s colored on both sides.
First, crease the paper vertically, horizontally, and diagonally so the center becomes the apex, then add the creases again.
Insert a piece of white paper to represent the rind and flesh, and while using the creases as guides, shift the paper sideways as you fold.
Once you’ve formed the watermelon shape, use a pen to draw seed patterns.
Thread a string through and attach a strip of paper to finish.
Display it by a window to feel the arrival of summer.