[Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors

Handmade uchiwa (Japanese handheld fan)

How to Make a Handmade Origami Fan: Easy and Cute Summer Craft with Kids

There may be days in August when you find yourself fanning with an uchiwa.

Ready-made ones are fine, but how about spending summer with a handmade fan? Take three sheets of origami paper, fold them accordion-style, and glue them together in a row.

Attach chopsticks to the left and right ends and secure them with cellophane tape.

When you hold the chopsticks and spread it open, it becomes a fan.

For a fun variation, use red origami paper and stick on strips of white and green origami.

Draw black dots on the red paper and fold it accordion-style.

Then, assemble it the same way to complete a watermelon-themed uchiwa.

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Super Easy! Cicada

[Origami] Super Easy! How to Fold a Cicada – Summer Insect, Making a Cicada, Original Creation

When it comes to classic summer insects, many people probably think of cicadas.

Their buzzing also accentuates the heat of summer.

That’s why folding a cicada in origami in July can immediately evoke a sense of summer, even for older adults.

Let’s try a simple cicada origami.

Even with a design that has few complicated steps, using the fingertips helps stimulate the brain.

By making fine folds around the abdomen, you can create a realistic cicada shape.

As you fold cicada origami together, you might find yourselves chatting with seniors about memorable summer stories from the past.

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Flower ball made with a circular craft punch

@ayawangpaper

Candy-like Origami Kusudama | A small, cute flower ball made with a round craft punch | Origami Flower Ball | AyaWangPaper#diy#papercraft#origamitutorialOrigami Kusudama

2:23 AM – Sharo

Making flower balls using origami paper and a circular craft punch is a perfect idea for senior recreation.

With simple steps, you can create lots of brightly colored petals and combine them to form a three-dimensional kusudama.

Handwork helps stimulate the brain, and the finished piece looks gorgeous and gives a strong sense of accomplishment.

Working together as a group encourages conversation and makes for an enjoyable time, which is another appeal.

It’s easy for beginners to try, so it’s highly recommended.

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Mini mini kusudama made with 4 cm origami paper

A difficult flower kusudama made with 4 cm mini-mini origami

Here’s a kusudama made from small origami that we especially recommend for seniors who are skilled at origami.

The paper size is 4 cm.

Combine parts made with this paper size to create a mini kusudama.

Many kusudama units involve detailed folding.

When using smaller paper, you’ll use your fingertips even more dexterously.

If the senior enjoys origami, they’ll likely be able to focus and work on it intently.

With a slightly higher level of difficulty, they should feel an even greater sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.

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pomegranate

Pomegranate Kusudama: How to Make a Pomegranate (Kusudama)

We are pleased to introduce “Pomegranate,” a craft project perfect for recreational activities for older adults, featuring enjoyable rounded shapes and vibrant colors.

By creating it in three dimensions, you can express the fruit’s plumpness and texture, resulting in a piece with a substantial, eye-catching appearance.

The steps of folding, layering, and assembling provide fine-motor exercise and are expected to help prevent cognitive decline.

They can also boost concentration, allowing for a calm, focused crafting time.

It’s easy to start and is a recommended project that lets you fully enjoy the fun of making and the delight of creativity.

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streamer-style kusudama

Kusudama, streamers, and string decorations made with origami (with audio commentary) — How to make origami Kusudama, streamers, and string decorations

Here’s an introduction to a streamer-style kusudama with a charming, temari-like roundness.

When making a kusudama out of origami, there are some models that require very fine folds.

Many have complex folding methods, so some older adults might find making origami kusudama challenging.

But if you cut the origami and assemble the kusudama parts by gluing them, it may be easier for some to try.

Once your kusudama is complete, make streamers from string or origami and decorate it.

Using patterned or printed origami for the kusudama and streamers creates pieces with different moods depending on the paper you choose.

It’s also recommended as a Tanabata decoration.

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Sonobe-style kusudama

Origami Kusudama (Sonobe) – 12 pieces

Here is a kusudama made using the Sonobe-style unit, devised by Japanese modular origami artist Mitsunobu Sonobe.

First, modular origami is a technique in which you fold multiple identical paper parts and assemble them to create geometric works.

Since the parts are all folded in the same way, once you learn it, the folding itself should be easy.

The assembly, however, requires some tips and may feel challenging for some older adults.

Please have those around them offer support tailored to their needs and try making it together.

By changing the number of parts and how you combine them, you can create works other than kusudama as well, so why not give it a try?

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