[For Seniors] Feel the Arrival of Spring: A Collection of Cherry Blossom Craft Ideas
In this article, we introduce recommended “sakura craft” ideas for those looking for inspiration.
When you think of spring, many older adults probably picture cherry blossoms.
While many people look forward to cherry-blossom viewing, some have fewer opportunities to go out as they get older.
We hope even those individuals can feel the spring season while spending time in their rooms.
This time, we’ve gathered a range of ideas—from practical small items to decorations you can simply enjoy displaying.
There are also easy projects, like making decorations by dabbing with a sponge (tampon technique) and cutting and pasting illustrations.
Please use these ideas as a reference!
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[For Seniors] Feel the Arrival of Spring: A Collection of Cherry Blossom Craft Ideas (41–50)
Cherry Blossoms and a Bridge
When you think of scenery where cherry blossoms stand out, many scenes come to mind, but the combination of a bridge and cherry blossoms especially evokes a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
This decoration recreates that quintessentially Japanese image by arranging paper pieces like elements in a painting to depict a bridge with cherry blossoms.
The key is the shape of the cherry blossom petals: by making a small slit in each petal and overlapping the cut edges, you create a three-dimensional effect.
After that, simply arrange the petal and leaf pieces on the backing paper and attach the bridge piece in one corner to finish.
It’s also fun to play with color gradients and to pay attention to the shape of the bridge.
[For Seniors] Feel the Arrival of Spring: Cherry Blossom Craft Idea Collection (51–60)
Making an April calendar with clay crafts
Why not make a spring-like cherry blossom calendar using clay and craft bands? Use small pieces of green clay to shape leaves.
Add veins with a craft band, then fold each leaf in half.
Twist a moistened craft band to create tree branches.
Use light pink clay to form buds.
With scissors, shape them into cherry blossoms.
After softly drawing a background with pastels on construction paper (or similar), attach the branches.
Bend them to evoke real tree branches for a more lifelike look.
Apply brown clay where you’ll attach the blossoms, then add the cherry blossoms and leaves to finish.
It’s lovely to include your favorite words, such as a senryu or haiku.
Making a calendar with cherry blossom posters
Let’s make a calendar decorated with cherry blossoms made of paper.
Use long, narrow strips of paper, folding and bending them into the shape of cherry petals.
If you want to make a more elaborate version, paper quilling is recommended.
You roll thin strips of paper around a tool and build your piece as you go.
Prepare pink or red construction paper or origami paper beneath the folded cherry blossom petals to enhance the cherry blossom atmosphere.
Creating this may also help some older adults recall memories of enjoying cherry blossom viewing.
Making a calendar with sakura (cherry blossom) eraser stamps
Eraser stamps are made by carving patterns into an eraser.
A carving knife is handy for the cutting, but depending on the design, you can make them with a utility knife as well.
For seniors who enjoy handmade crafts, stamp making can be a lot of fun.
Since cherry blossoms are at their best in April, let’s make a calendar by creating and stamping cherry blossoms with an eraser stamp.
Using just pink ink is fine, but it’s also lovely to change the color at the tips of the petals.
Try experimenting with how you apply the ink.
Including branches will add atmosphere and make the piece look even nicer.
Making the April calendar
How about making calendars as one of your monthly recreation activities? Both the process of discussing and choosing seasonal motifs and the actual crafting after the plan is set are sure to be lively and fun! Using your hands can have a positive effect on cognitive function, and working together to create something—then seeing what you made actually being used—will likely bring great joy! Even things that were difficult before can improve in quality as you repeat the activity.
Give it a try!
Night Sakura and Day Sakura
The atmosphere of cherry blossoms during the day and at night is quite different, isn’t it? Do you prefer cherry blossoms viewed in bright, warm sunlight, or blossoms illuminated in the dark at night? Here’s a project that lets you enjoy both.
Fold and cut tissue paper to make the blossoms, or crumple the tissue and tear it to create a cherry tree.
You’ll use your hands a lot, so it should be great for stimulating the brain as well.
Once you’ve finished parts like leaves and buds, attach them to a backing sheet.
For daytime cherry blossoms, a yellow backing works nicely; for nighttime, consider blue or black.
Since you can enjoy two kinds of cherry blossoms, be sure to give it a try!
Hanging decoration of cherry blossoms and leaves
Here’s a lovely hanging decoration that pairs beautifully with cherry blossom petals, made with softly textured, colored washi paper.
You’ll create the cherry blossom petals from washi.
Because washi is soft and easy to handle, it may be especially accessible for older adults.
You can also make paper fans by accordion-folding and use them as parts for the hanging decoration.
If you make the hanging structure into a cherry tree and add a Japanese bush warbler, it will evoke an even stronger feeling of spring.
Seeing the finished piece can give older adults a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to share memories and stories about cherry blossoms from their past.