![[For Seniors] Celebrate Children's Day: Make Your Own Koinobori (Carp Streamers)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/qazb7-ry5II/maxresdefault.webp)
When talking about Tango no Sekku on Children’s Day, koinobori (carp streamers) come to mind.
Many families raise koinobori to wish for their children’s growth.
Along rivers and in parks, there are also events where you can enjoy countless koinobori swimming leisurely in the wide sky—beloved as a seasonal tradition of early summer in Japan.
Let’s try making koinobori by hand, something very familiar even to seniors.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, from easy ones made with origami or paper plates to more elaborate versions made with felt.
Koinobori that double as decorations also make perfect gifts for your grandchildren.
By all means, handcraft some koinobori and celebrate Children’s Day!
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[For Seniors] Celebrate Children's Day: Making Koinobori (1–10)
carp-streamer ornamentNEW!
Use an MDF board covered with felt as the base, and insert bamboo skewers and toothpicks so they stand upright.
Roll craft bands into circles and glue them; attach carp streamers made from construction paper and origami inside.
Let’s also make pinwheels with craft bands.
Next, prepare double-sided origami paper to make iris flowers and helmets.
Finish by decorating the base: put the carp streamers and pinwheels on the bamboo skewers, and the irises and helmets on the toothpicks.
For the carp streamers’ eyes, using googly eye stickers adds movement and extra cuteness!
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.
Koinobori made with paper cores
Here’s a cute carp streamer craft using paper tubes.
After you finish a roll of toilet paper or kitchen paper, you’re left with the cardboard tube.
These tubes are usually made of thick paper, and their cylindrical shape makes them perfect for crafting.
Cover the tube with origami paper in colors like red or blue, then cut the tail fin.
Use round stickers to make the eyes and scales and stick them on.
You can display the piece on a wall at this stage.
For an extra touch, punch a hole and insert a chopstick so it can stand upright.
It’s also nice to display in seniors’ rooms.
The shape of the paper tube beautifully captures the rounded form of a carp streamer.
Carp streamer wall decoration
Why not try making a seasonal carp streamer (koinobori) wall decoration? Using paper cups adds a nice bit of three-dimensionality.
First, cut a paper cup into four equal sections to make the koinobori body.
Wrap origami paper around the cup pieces to create the scales and glue it in place.
Add eye stickers to finish the fish.
Fold a samurai helmet (kabuto), a pinwheel, and irises (shobu) as well.
Assemble everything and glue it onto a backing sheet.
If you make a set of decorations for the whole year and swap them out, it brings a pleasant change to everyday life.
paper cup koinobori
Let’s make a carp streamer (koinobori) using a paper cup.
If you use pre-colored paper cups, it’s easier.
If you only have white cups, try covering them with origami paper.
Cut or tear origami paper or paper tape and stick the pieces onto the cup—this creates the scales, and torn scales give each koinobori a unique look.
Add eyes with round stickers and attach a tail fin made from strips of origami paper.
Fix a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) or string to the head, tie it to a straw, and you’re done.
With the straw attached, you can place it in a vase and set it on a table.
Displaying them in a facility can help older adults enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.
Gift Frame
Here’s an introduction to a carp-streamer gift frame that can hold photos or sweets.
Fold two sheets of origami using the same steps, layer them, and you’ll create a single frame.
The folding process doesn’t have many complicated parts, so it may be easy for older adults to try.
It also looks lovely if you place patterned origami inside the frame.
Shape the frame itself like a carp streamer and pop in a photo or some treats.
When adding sweets, we recommend using a clear bag.
On Children’s Day, some grandparents may have their grandchildren visit at home.
Putting sweets in the gift frame and giving it to your grandchild is sure to delight them.
Koinobori made with tsumami-zaiku
Koinobori carp streamers swimming majestically across the fresh May skies.
In some areas lately, chances to see koinobori have been decreasing.
For many older adults, Children’s Day and the Boys’ Festival may bring to mind these carp streamers.
So let’s make a koinobori frame decoration that looks as if it’s really swimming.
If you use the tsumami-zaiku technique for the koinobori’s body, it will give a scaly look.
Tsumami-zaiku is one of Japan’s traditional crafts.
The maru-tsumami, made by folding small pieces of fabric into triangles, seems perfect for the scales.
Craftwork that uses your fingers can also be expected to stimulate the brain.
If you also make iris flowers with tsumami-zaiku and arrange them in the frame, it will turn out even more lovely.