Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas

Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

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!

[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas (121–130)

Koinobori decoration

[Children’s Day] Let’s make a carp streamer decoration. 🎏

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.

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A simple flower made with an accordion fold

Easy Cute Paper Origami Flower: How to Make a Flower [Origami Paper Easy]

A simple flower made with an accordion fold

When we think of spring, we often picture lush natural landscapes, with flowers we don’t even know the names of blooming everywhere.

This piece is about creating those vibrant, colorful spring flowers using combinations of origami.

The process is to accordion-fold the paper, then fold the whole piece in half and round off the edges with a cut.

After that, open it up, connect the pieces, and shape them into a circle.

By changing the colors of the origami or varying the sizes, let’s create a colorful flower field.

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Dandelion wreath

Introducing how to make a three-dimensional dandelion wreath decoration with origami! Why not try making it as a spring decoration for April and May? [Tsukuru-mon]

Dandelion wreath

Spring is the season when the weather warms and many flowers begin to appear, and you’ll likely spot more dandelions as well.

This craft recreates dandelions—a quintessential spring flower—using origami and combines them into a wreath-like shape.

To make the dandelion flowers, fold a strip of origami paper in half and then fold it again to make it narrower, cut fine slits along the edge, roll it up, then spread and shape it.

The wreath base is made by assembling triangular units, and it’s recommended to use green to evoke leaves.

Finally, combine all the parts and add decorative elements like leaf pieces to complete the project.

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butterfly

[3-Minute Origami] Cute! How to Fold a Butterfly — Recommended for Kids

butterfly

In May, when warm days continue, you’ll often see new buds opening and flowers blooming.

You may also spot butterflies flitting around flower beds in fields and parks.

Let’s make spring-heralding butterflies with origami.

We’ll create a butterfly by combining two sheets folded in an accordion (fan) style.

By adjusting the folding method, you can make the reverse side look like a pattern on the butterfly.

The steps are simple, so many older adults should find it approachable.

And as they work, they can also enjoy the feeling of spring.

Once finished, try hanging them up or decorating a wall with them.

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[For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas (131–140)

Hanging ornaments

[Easy ✨ Origami] Temari Hanging Decoration 🎎 with Plum and Cherry Blossoms 🌸 [Hinamatsuri] Just Cut and Paste 💕 100-Yen Shop • Japanese Chiyogami

Hanging ornaments

We’d like to introduce a lovely spring hanging decoration that gently sways in the breeze.

You can make it with just origami paper and string, so it’s perfect for craft activities in senior care facilities.

Prepare both solid-colored and patterned origami paper, cut three circles of each, and fold them in half.

Glue the solid and patterned halves alternately, attach them to a string, and your temari ball is finished.

Next, fold three sheets of origami paper in half vertically, stack and glue them together, then draw a pencil outline so it forms a cherry blossom shape and cut it out.

When you open it, you’ll have a symmetrical flower.

Snip small cuts into the petals to make it look like a sakura blossom, then attach it to the string to complete the piece.

Gazing at your hanging decoration while feeling the warm spring breeze is sure to bring a peaceful moment.

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Carp streamers with plump, scaly patterns

[Origami and Colored Construction Paper] Cute Koinobori with Puffy Scales (with Audio Commentary)

Carp streamers with plump, scaly patterns

Here is a carp streamer (koinobori) you can display indoors at your facility.

Many places change their wall decorations each month, don’t they? Some older adults seem to feel the season through wall decorations related to the month’s representative events and celebrations.

Seeing koinobori decorations may remind them of Children’s Day in May and the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).

A koinobori with charmingly plump scales is fun not only to make but also just to look at.

The puffy scales, made with two sheets of origami paper, aren’t difficult, so many older adults should be able to create them.

By admiring the wonderful koinobori they made themselves, they can also feel a sense of accomplishment.

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Swaying hanging ornaments

[Easy] Origami ✨Hanging Sakura Decoration 🌸 [3D ✨Weeping Cherry Blossoms] Also great for Hinamatsuri 🎎 Paper Craft DIY Cherry Blossoms. Origami

Swaying hanging ornaments

Here’s an introduction to a cherry blossom hanging decoration that looks beautiful as it sways in the breeze.

Cut origami or construction paper into rectangles and accordion-fold it five times.

Trim any excess and staple the center.

Draw cherry blossom petals on the accordion-folded piece and cut them out.

Apply glue to the center, stick the parts together, and shape it.

Attach a string to the back to finish.

If you make and hang many blossoms, it will look even more lovely.

It seems like you could make plenty of blossoms while chatting with seniors.

Please use this as a reference for making decorations.

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