[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 (101–110)
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!
Hydrangea Snail
Here’s a cute and playful hydrangea snail made with origami.
Both the hydrangea and the snail are easy to fold, and you can mix and match them however you like.
First, make the snail out of origami paper.
Cut out the eye parts to give it a sweet expression.
For the hydrangea, fold a small square of origami and round off the top and bottom edges with scissors.
When you open it up, you’ll have an adorable flower.
Attach the hydrangea flower to the snail’s back, and it’s done.
You can change the snail’s expression with the eyes and create your own unique hydrangea snail by varying how you place the flowers.
Since there are no difficult steps, it’s also recommended for activities in senior care facilities.
[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas (111–120)
Gift box with hydrangeas
Let us introduce a gift box adorned with hydrangeas—visually striking and exciting to open.
You’ll fold the box by marking guide lines on origami paper as you go.
There are some fine steps, but by imagining the finished form while you work, you’ll engage your planning skills—your executive function—which can help stimulate the brain.
After making a hydrangea using origami in the same color as the box and gluing it on, the project is complete.
Adding decorations like pearls will make it look even more elegant.
Put a small gift inside and present it—your recipient is sure to be delighted.
Hydrangea decoration
When we think of the rainy season, hydrangeas come to mind, don’t they? Many people find their hearts soothed just by gazing at their colorful blooms.
This time, we’ll introduce a hydrangea decoration that brightens up the rainy season.
First, prepare your favorite origami paper and fold it in half.
Draw a circle with a pencil, then tear along the line by hand to cut it out.
Paste two sheets of origami onto construction paper, then layer the torn pieces of origami on top.
There are no difficult steps, so it’s a craft that seniors can enjoy with ease—highly recommended.
Finally, sprinkle on beads or stickers, and in no time you’ll have a lovely hydrangea decoration finished.