When it comes to May’s main event, Children’s Day is a big favorite among kids.
Many of you probably decorated your homes with carp streamers when your children were little.
These days, some cities even host events where unused carp streamers from households are displayed along rivers, making them beloved by people of all ages.
This time, we’re sharing wall decoration ideas featuring carp streamers that are perfect for May.
There are many creative ways to make and display carp streamers, so you can enjoy both crafting and decorating.
Just by putting them up in your room, you’ll instantly feel the spirit of May.
By all means, try making them together with everyone!
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[For Seniors] Indoor Koinobori Fun: Wall Decoration Ideas (1–10)
Koinobori decoration

Here’s an idea for a carp streamer decoration in the style of a hanging scroll.
You can use origami carp and finish it in a way that suits the celebration of Children’s Day.
Fold the carp out of origami paper—Japanese patterns or other designs are recommended.
Attach crepe paper and washi to create a hanging scroll backing, then stick the origami carp onto it.
Making and attaching a windsock (fukinagashi) alongside the carp will look lovely as well.
Displayed on the wall like a hanging scroll, it can help evoke the feeling of May even for older adults.
Alternatively, insert a stick into a paper cup weighted with clay and attach the hanging scroll to the stick.
A carp streamer with scales like Kashiwa-mochi
On Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku), some older adults may also enjoy eating kashiwa-mochi.
Kashiwa-mochi is considered a lucky food, and eating it carries the hope that boys will grow up safely.
Let’s make a carp streamer (koinobori) with cute kashiwa-mochi scales.
Cut out kashiwa-mochi shapes from origami and create the carp streamer on construction paper.
This fresh idea—using kashiwa-mochi as the scales—seems like a craft that older adults will enjoy making.
You can display the finished piece on the wall, or attach a string and turn it into a lovely garland.
Koinobori made with Japanese-style origami

Here is a three-dimensional koi nobori (carp streamer) made from Japanese-style origami paper that you can easily find at 100-yen shops.
You first make the koi nobori’s body flat, then add slits and fold along them to turn it into a three-dimensional shape, which is the fun part.
For the koi nobori’s pole, roll copy paper around a toothpick or skewer.
Apply glue to the slit section of the body and attach the pole there.
The colorful washi patterns are very cute and will brighten the atmosphere when placed in an entryway or living room.
Puffy-scaled carp streamer

How about a wall decoration of carp streamers (koinobori) with cute, puffy, three-dimensional scales? It would be great for a facility recreation activity: everyone can make scales with their favorite patterns and combine them into a large piece! The key is to use both plain and patterned origami paper for the scales.
Fold the origami into quarters and cut it into a teardrop shape.
Then snip a slit with scissors.
Make the patterned paper the same way.
Overlap and glue the parts where you made the slit to create a 3D effect.
Finally, attach all the scales you made to a koinobori base cut from construction paper, and you’re done! Adjust the size and length to suit your room’s space.
Stained glass-style koinobori

Stained glass is used in churches and public facilities, too.
The sunlight filtering through stained glass creates a lovely atmosphere indoors, doesn’t it? Let’s make a carp streamer that captures that stained-glass look.
Draw lines on a clear file folder with a black permanent marker, then color it in with various permanent markers.
After coloring, roll it up, secure it with clear tape, and form the tail fin.
Punch a hole near the head, thread a stick through, and it’s done.
You can also decorate the top of the stick with a paper samurai helmet or a streamer.
This stained-glass-style carp streamer—something you don’t see very often—seems like an activity older adults would enjoy as well.
Carp streamers made with felt and chirimen (crepe fabric)

Here’s an introduction to making carp streamers (koinobori) using felt and chirimen crepe fabric.
Cut the felt into the shape of a koinobori.
Cover it with a piece of chirimen fabric that’s larger than the felt and attach it with a hot glue gun.
Trim off the excess, then glue on another layer of felt to reinforce it.
Attach metallic yarn along the edge of the koinobori, and add the eyes and scales.
Cut it into the shape of a banner, attach a cord, and it’s done.
Koinobori made with colorful felt and patterned chirimen fabric look lovely.
Displaying them indoors might even prompt older adults to share stories related to koinobori.
Two simple types of koinobori (carp streamers)

Let’s try making a three-dimensional, paper-cut carp streamer with scales.
We’ll fold origami or construction paper and make slits as we go.
By changing where you cut with the scissors, you can create a variety of scale designs.
You can either stick the finished scales onto a sheet that becomes the body of the streamer, or stretch the scales themselves to form the body.
With a little ingenuity, you can make two types of carp streamers.
The materials are minimal, so it’s easy to make.
It’s also a project that older adults can enjoy, taking the finished piece home to decorate their own room.


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