[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas
Origami, which is incorporated into recreational activities at care facilities.
Origami seems familiar to many older adults, as they often folded paper when they were young and it was a common pastime.
Because you can fold while chatting with other seniors, it also helps promote communication!
So this time, we’ll introduce origami that’s perfect for recreation activities for older adults.
Using your fingertips and thinking about what shape it will become when finished also serves as brain training.
Please make good use of these origami ideas in your recreational programs!
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[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreational Activities! Origami Ideas (71–80)
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.
uchiwa (Japanese hand fan)
To help you stay energized through the hot summer, here’s an idea for making a “uchiwa” fan out of origami.
Since it’s made only with origami paper, it’s safe and easy—no tools required, which is a nice bonus.
Using colorful, traditional Japanese patterned paper gives it a cool look and a seasonal feel.
The process of folding it into a fan shape also exercises the fingers and may help stimulate the brain.
The finished fan makes a charming summer decoration.
It’s also recommended as a recreational activity in senior care facilities, so please give it a try!
Orihime and Hikoboshi
These are Orihime and Hikoboshi made with three sheets of origami paper.
You fold them in three separate parts and then assemble them.
The head uses black origami paper, and the face is made from the white reverse side.
The other two parts are the upper garment and the lower garment.
Since the folds are the same as the balloon model up to a certain step, it shouldn’t be too confusing.
Insert the lower garment from underneath the upper garment.
Finally, glue on the face piece to finish.
Feel free to draw the facial expressions however you like.
Your very own original Orihime and Hikoboshi will surely turn out adorable.
shaved ice
How about some delicious-looking shaved ice you can make from a single sheet of origami paper? To give the shaved ice a cool feel, you can use tie-dyed origami for the body.
First, fold the paper into a triangle in half, then fold it in half again.
If you think from the finished shape, the remaining steps are surprisingly simple.
And partway through, you actually tear the origami—rip, rip—and the torn edge becomes the pointed tip of the shaved ice, which is a clever twist.
Let’s also make a spoon-straw out of origami and stick it in.
Try making shaved ice in a variety of colors.
sunflower
When you think of summer flowers, big sunflowers come to mind, don’t they? How about trying to fold a sunflower out of origami? With a quarter-size sheet of origami paper, you can make two petals.
Make four of these and you’ll have enough for one sunflower.
Use brown origami paper to create the center of the flower.
Then make the leaves and stem.
Make as many leaves as you like.
Once all the parts are ready, assemble them to complete the sunflower.
You can display it as is, or paste it onto colored paper for a nice seasonal touch.
If you want more petals, you can simply attach additional origami pieces to the back.
Plump, three-dimensional wind chime
Here, we’ll introduce a three-dimensional wind chime made easily with origami.
Prepare two standard 15 cm square sheets of origami.
Fold one sheet into quarters to make a smaller square, then cut it out as if using a template.
When it forms a flower shape with four petals, thread a string through the hole in the center, apply glue to the outer edges, and stick them together.
Cut the other sheet in half, fold each half once, thread a string through, and glue it.
That’s it—finished.
A cool-looking wind chime really evokes the feeling of summer, doesn’t it?
ground cherry (Japanese lantern plant)
Origami “hōzuki” (Chinese lantern plants) are gentle, summery creations.
Using red or orange origami paper to craft them in 3D lets you charmingly recreate the plump, round fruit.
Add leaves and stems for a more natural look.
The steps are simple enough for seniors to enjoy, and moving the fingers helps improve concentration, which is another plus.
Once finished, the hōzuki can be hung on the wall or placed as small decor to bring a seasonal feel.
Why not enjoy this symbol of summer through origami?