Easy origami that delights the elderly. Enjoy a heart-lifting time with seasonal origami.
Origami is a wonderful hobby that lets you enjoy the charm of the seasons.
Seasonal creations—like spring clovers, summer festival coats (happi), and autumn maple leaves—have a mysterious way of warming the heart.
Here, we introduce seasonal origami that can be enjoyed together with older adults.
Beyond their visual beauty, these activities can also help stimulate the brain through fingertip movements.
Most of the designs are simple and easy to fold, so seniors can join in comfortably.
They’re perfect for facility events or spending quality time with family.
We hope you enjoy a lovely moment through origami.
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Cute Origami Accessories (11–20)
Triangle Bookmark
If you’re looking for an easy, quick-to-make bookmark, this is it! It’s a triangular bookmark made from origami.
Place the patterned side of the origami on the outside and fold it twice into a square.
Leave one layer unsealed at the opening of the square, and fold the rest inward together.
You can leave it as is, or fold the remaining single layer in from the opposite side to make a simple triangle—highly recommended.
The size of the bookmark changes depending on the size of the origami paper, so you can enjoy customizing it.
Attach it to a notebook and it can double as a pocket, too.
It’s very easy, so try folding it with your favorite patterned origami paper!
Tonton Sumo
Let’s fold origami to make a sumo wrestler that stands up firmly on its own.
If you make two of the same, you can play a tapping sumo game.
Use the creases dividing the paper into fourths as guides to fold inward, then shape two edges into pointed forms and refine them into the wrestler’s body.
In addition to creating sturdy legs that let it stand securely, shaping the arms extended forward helps convey that it’s a sumo wrestler.
Make use of the reverse side’s color to give the impression of a mawashi (belt).
Folding accurately with attention to left–right symmetry will help develop finger dexterity and concentration, and during the tapping sumo game, it also encourages awareness of how to apply force.
origami spinning top
Let’s make a spinning top—the kind you play with at New Year’s—using a single sheet of origami paper.
Fold along radial creases as guides, shaping it so that the form approaches one with petals spreading out in four directions.
On the side opposite the flower-like surface, triangular flaps protrude; by twisting these, the petal side curves into a bowl-like bottom for the top.
Since colors from both the front and back of the paper will appear in various places, using double-sided origami paper is recommended.
Experiment with angles and how much you bend the parts to craft a top that spins longer.
konpeitō (Japanese sugar candy)
Konpeitō, which lets you enjoy an adorably candy-like shape, is a fun craft to make with origami.
It’s easy for seniors to try, and there’s joy in watching the shape gradually come together as you fold.
The steps aren’t too fine or fiddly, so it’s a gentle way to keep hands moving.
The finished konpeitō has a charming, plump look, and changing the colors can shift the mood, making it versatile for garlands or ornaments—there are many ways to enjoy them as room decorations.
It’s easy to start, gives a sense of accomplishment, and is also recommended as a recreational activity in senior facilities.
boat
How about making a cool-looking origami boat that’s perfect for summer? All you need is a sheet of origami paper, round stickers for the windows, a pen, glue, and scissors.
Choosing cool colors like blue or celadon will suit the summer vibe.
You can add the round-sticker windows, or cut thin strips from the edges of the origami paper to create stripes for a breezy feel.
Cutting out and attaching parts like an anchor is also a nice touch.
It would look lovely to mount it on a background that suggests a seaside scene.
Give it a try!
vase
This origami vase is recommended for anyone who loves flowers.
It’s perfect for displaying paper flowers you’ve made or artificial flowers! Its rounded shape is super cute, so why not give it a try? There aren’t any particularly difficult steps, but if you make crisp creases as you fold, you’ll end up with a nicely shaped, beautiful vase.
You can use your favorite colors or patterns of origami paper, and double-sided origami will also look great.
It makes a lovely little gift, so you can share them with friends and family, too.
dress
Dresses, often worn by princesses in stories, are surely an outfit many people admire.
This piece introduces how to create a three-dimensional dress out of origami and use it for decorations and the like.
Starting with creases that divide the paper lengthwise into four narrow sections, you’ll add inward folds and other techniques to express the softness of the dress.
By paying attention to small details—such as the waistline, the flare of the skirt, and the shape of the shoulders—you can bring out subtle individuality even among similar-looking dresses.