[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!
- [Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Something New Every Day! Today’s Origami
- [For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami
- Easy origami that delights the elderly. Enjoy a heart-lifting time with seasonal origami.
- Enjoyable for seniors! Easy heart origami
- [For Seniors] Simple Handicrafts Recommended for Finger Exercise
- [For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Works as Rehabilitation
- For Seniors: Effective Recreation for Preventing Care Needs—Have Fun While Staying Healthy
- [For Seniors] Simple and Fun: Craft Ideas You Can Make with Everyday Items
- Recommended for seniors! Origami gifts
- [For Seniors] A Collection of Fun Classic Caregiving Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun to Make! Paper Quilling Ideas
- [For Seniors] March Origami: Ideas to Brighten Your Room with Seasonal Flowers and Events
[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas (91–100)
Rabbit’s Easter egg
Easter is a festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it is set on a Sunday between late March and April each year.
Eggs and rabbits, regarded as symbols of rebirth and prosperity, are known as Easter symbols.
This time, we’ll introduce an origami Easter bunny.
After folding an Easter bunny with your favorite color or pattern of origami paper, use a pen or colored pencils to draw the eyes and mouth.
You can give it personality depending on the kind of face you choose.
By the way, each egg color has its own meaning, so how about turning it into a quiz as you work?
Three-dimensional dandelion
The dandelion, which blooms with vivid yellow flowers, is a familiar flower even to older adults.
Some people may have made flower crowns with dandelions.
In this article, we introduce dandelion-themed ideas that represent spring.
Cut yellow origami paper into one-quarter width strips lengthwise.
Fold it so it becomes long and narrow, then glue two pieces together and make many small slits.
Be careful not to cut all the way through! Roll it up tightly from one end and secure it with glue to complete the flower.
Make a stem and leaves, and decorate a frame to finish.
It’s a gentle craft that lets you feel the arrival of spring.
[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas (101–110)
randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)
April brings to mind school entrance ceremonies and the sight of cheerful first graders heading to school with shiny new randoseru backpacks.
While red and black used to be the standard colors, these days randoseru come in a wide variety of hues.
For an April origami activity, why not fold a randoseru in your favorite color? Divide one sheet of origami paper into thirds vertically, and proceed to fold each section.
Drawing lines along the crease marks makes it easier to follow.
With some finer steps involved, this project helps build concentration and can be effective for dementia prevention.
It would also make a delightful gift for your grandchild.
firefly
These days, we don’t get as many chances to see fireflies glowing over rice fields and waterways at night.
When today’s seniors were young, weren’t there many more fireflies flitting about? Let’s make a calendar using firefly origami that brings back those kinds of summer memories.
Since you’ll make the firefly’s body and its glowing part separately, there are fewer tricky steps.
For the glowing tail, try sticking on a yellow circle cut from origami paper or a round yellow sticker.
Besides calendars, this firefly origami is perfect for summer crafts like wreaths and wall decorations.
Wind chime made with 100-yen shop origami
Doesn’t making a wind chime by hand seem kind of difficult? For seniors who feel that way, we recommend wind chimes you can make with origami.
All you need to do is fold and cut the paper, and it’s done in no time.
There are many patterns of origami paper, so try making one with your favorite design.
From papers that give a refreshing feel to ones that add a touch of brilliance, the options are wide-ranging.
Create a wind chime that suits your taste and enjoy spending time at home in the summer.
Your usual summer days will become even more fun.
Hydrangea kusudama
Hydrangeas, with their round, gentle shapes and calm colors, bring a sense of comfort and healing to the heart.
They have a soft, friendly impression that makes them well-liked by older adults, too.
This time, I’ll introduce a hydrangea kusudama.
Its volume gives it a strong presence.
Display it in your room to fully enjoy the rainy season.
All you need is origami paper, so it’s an easy craft to try.
There are many small steps, but since you repeat the same actions often, it becomes simple once you get used to it.
It will surely make a delightful gift for someone special!
Hydrangea decoration
Here’s how to make a hydrangea decoration with origami.
First, prepare origami paper in the color you want for your hydrangeas.
Cut it into small squares, then fold it vertically, horizontally, and diagonally to make crease lines.
Fold it small, make a few cuts, and when you open it up, it will form the shape of a flower.
Attach eight flowers to a round piece of origami paper, and your hydrangea is complete.
Use green origami paper to make leaves, and create a frame in any color you like to decorate it.
It’s fun to think about where to place each flower, isn’t it? Adding little raindrops as accents really brings out the rainy season mood.
Give it a try!
