[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] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors (131–140)
Tug-of-war wreath
When it comes to events that parents and children can get excited about at a sports day, tug-of-war is probably the first that comes to mind.
In fact, tug-of-war was once an official Olympic sport, and it’s familiar to many older adults as well.
How about a wreath inspired by tug-of-war as a wall decoration? First, make a base for the wreath out of cardboard and attach colored construction paper.
For the tug-of-war rope, you can twist white origami paper into a cord or use paper string.
Making the players animals instead of people gives it a cute finish! Adding elements like flags will help convey that sports day atmosphere.
bouquet
This colorful and cute bouquet motif is easy to use as a decorative element.
Make the flowers and the wrapping paper in different colors to create a sense of depth through contrast and layering.
Trimming each part with scissors is also an important step, and it’s a great idea to use the offcuts to decorate the flowers or the wrapping paper.
Not only should you choose your colors carefully, but also make good use of both sides of the origami paper to create a vibrant bouquet.
It could also be fun to design it so the wrapping opens up and can be used as a message card.
Koinobori chopstick sleeve
To help seniors feel the seasons, some senior and nursing care facilities offer special seasonal meals, don’t they? In those moments, we’d like to introduce a carp streamer–themed chopstick sleeve that’s lovely to set quietly on the table.
Let’s fold a chopstick sleeve using origami.
If you use gold or red origami paper for the sleeve, you’ll end up with a festive design perfect for celebratory occasions.
Attach a carp streamer made from origami to the sleeve as well.
As you fold, some seniors may recall past Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku) celebrations.
Besides carp streamers, you can also attach other seasonal decorations to the sleeve so it can be used throughout the year.
Please try arranging and customizing your own version.
Carp streamer wall decoration
Why not try making a seasonal carp streamer (koinobori) wall decoration? Using paper cups adds a nice bit of three-dimensionality.
First, cut a paper cup into four equal sections to make the koinobori body.
Wrap origami paper around the cup pieces to create the scales and glue it in place.
Add eye stickers to finish the fish.
Fold a samurai helmet (kabuto), a pinwheel, and irises (shobu) as well.
Assemble everything and glue it onto a backing sheet.
If you make a set of decorations for the whole year and swap them out, it brings a pleasant change to everyday life.
A basket of daisies
Daisies are striking for the way they bloom in a variety of colors, and their colorful appearance really conveys the exhilaration of spring.
This craft features a basket filled with daisy flowers, appealing for its colorful and playful look.
The key is how to make the daisies: fold a strip of origami paper in half, make slits, then roll it up and finally shape it into a flower.
As you carefully spread out the petals, the daisy becomes three-dimensional.
By varying the size and how much you spread the petals, and arranging a range of colors, you can achieve an even more vibrant result.