[Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors
Origami is a seated group activity that everyone can enjoy.
Because origami uses your fingertips, it also serves as brain training and can help prevent cognitive decline.
If you don’t fold regularly, it’s easy to forget how to make certain models, isn’t it?
In this article, we’ve gathered seasonal items, animals, plants, and more—from easy folds to more advanced designs.
You can make lots of pieces to decorate the wall, or stick them onto fans and other items to create your own projects.
Why not read this article and try folding together with older adults?
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[Recreation] A roundup of origami ideas recommended for seniors (121–130)
origami spinning top
Let’s make a spinning top—the kind you play with at New Year’s—using a single sheet of origami paper.
Fold along radial creases as guides, shaping it so that the form approaches one with petals spreading out in four directions.
On the side opposite the flower-like surface, triangular flaps protrude; by twisting these, the petal side curves into a bowl-like bottom for the top.
Since colors from both the front and back of the paper will appear in various places, using double-sided origami paper is recommended.
Experiment with angles and how much you bend the parts to craft a top that spins longer.
Origami rosette
Let’s make a rosette, like those used as decorations for medals and orders, using origami.
The pleated section surrounding the central circle is essential for creating the rosette’s look, so be mindful of achieving clean, beautiful tiers.
First, use plain origami paper to make the central circle, then attach pleats made from long, narrow strips of paper to the back.
Using patterned origami paper and keeping the pleats as uniform as possible are key to making it look beautiful.
Finally, add ribbon-themed embellishments to complete the piece, and use layered origami to create a sense of depth.
Peach Blossom Wreath
Here’s an introduction to a cute peach blossom wreath made with origami.
Both the wreath base and the peach blossoms are created by combining individual parts.
Since many of the steps are simple, it should be suitable for a large number of older adults to try.
Origami involves thinking ahead to the next steps and the finished piece, so it’s said to have brain-training benefits.
What’s more, the fingers are so closely connected to the brain that they’re often called the “second brain.” Using your fingertips is said to stimulate and activate the brain.
Please consider using this peach blossom wreath activity for recreation.
Sakura Japanese-style ornament
Cherry trees color Japan’s spring.
Seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom in parks and other places gives you a sense of seasonal charm, doesn’t it? Let’s make a Japanese-style cherry blossom decoration that captures that feeling of spring.
Use three sheets of origami in different sizes, accordion-fold them, apply glue, and connect them.
Create a three-dimensional cherry blossom out of origami.
Because it’s three-dimensional, some steps are quite detailed.
Older adults who enjoy origami will likely have fun making it.
If the finer parts are difficult, people around them should lend a hand.
Assemble the cherry blossom petals and place them on the accordion-folded origami to finish.
It will look lovely displayed at home.
[Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors (131–140)
Wreath of daffodils and roses
Daffodils bloom until early spring, and roses bloom around late spring, so even though their seasons are offset, both can be said to be representative spring flowers.
This is a simple yet dimensional wreath with a glamorous look that combines daffodils and roses.
Another key point is that the wreath base and stem parts are kept flat, which helps emphasize the three-dimensionality of the daffodil and rose blossoms.
For each flower, it’s important to deliberately add fine creases, cuts, and bends, and to shape them carefully so that a sense of depth and volume comes through.
3D strawberry
Strawberries, with their sweet and refreshing tartness, are one of spring’s seasonal delights.
Their round, plump shape is adorable, too—let’s try expressing strawberries with origami.
Start by folding a triangle, then work through the finer steps to create a three-dimensional strawberry.
If you also make and attach the calyx with origami, it will look even more like a real strawberry.
Creating strawberry crafts can help older adults feel the season as well.
You can make lots and decorate a wall, or take them home to display.
Three-dimensional sunflower
Origami is also recommended as fingertip training for seniors.
Here’s a 3D sunflower you can make with origami.
There are quite a few steps, so the difficulty may be a bit high, but if you like origami, give it a try! You’ll paste a piece of origami paper cut to one-quarter size in the center of a full sheet, then start folding.
The method is similar to folding a crane, so if you’ve made a crane before, you should be able to proceed smoothly.
Finally, gently spread out the petals little by little to finish! By adjusting how much you open them, you can express different stages, like just beginning to bloom.
