[For Seniors] Handmade Tanabata Decorations: Easy Recreation Activity
Tanabata is one of the most seasonally rich events.
For older adults, writing wishes on tanzaku strips and making decorations by hand becomes a precious time to enjoy while reminiscing about the past.
In this article, we introduce easy and safe ways to make Tanabata decorations and recreation ideas that can be easily incorporated in nursing homes and day-service centers.
They require little preparation and naturally encourage conversation, so please consider using them as one of your recreational activities!
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[For Seniors] Handmade Tanabata Decorations: Simple Recreational Activities (1–10)
Flower kusudama with streamers decoration
Would you like to handcraft a “flower kusudama with streamers” out of origami—perfect for the Tanabata season? Make multiple flowers from colorful origami paper, assemble them into a sphere to create a kusudama, and then attach long, slender origami streamers to complete a vibrant decoration that sways in the breeze.
The delicate, finger-intensive work stimulates the brain simply by doing it, making it potentially effective as rehabilitation.
Once finished, you can enjoy it as a Tanabata ornament by displaying it on the wall at a facility or at home.
Spend a moment feeling the season through origami.
Strip with mesh
Tanabata is one of the major events in July.
Many senior care facilities probably hold Tanabata events and decorate their interiors, don’t they? Tanabata is also a day when people attach wish strips (tanzaku) to bamboo and make wishes.
Try adding a twist to those tanzaku by cutting slits that create a mesh pattern.
There’s originally a net decoration among Tanabata ornaments, and—as the name suggests—it’s said to carry the wish for a bountiful catch of fish.
Fold the top of the tanzaku paper, then make many cuts.
When you open it, you’ll have net-like slits.
If you like, you can also make Hikoboshi and Orihime and place them along the mesh of the tanzaku.
As they create, some older adults may recall past Tanabata memories.
Tanabata-style calendar
This time, we’ll introduce a July calendar craft centered on Tanabata, the July festival.
Many of you may be thinking, “I want to make a handmade calendar.” There are various calendar-making kits available for purchase.
A kit featuring bamboo branches decorated for Tanabata is especially handy.
If you use a craft knife to cut out the bamboo leaves on the double-layered calendar base, you’ll get a three-dimensional finish.
And of course, be sure to add tanzaku—wish strips imbued with the feelings of the seniors—onto the bamboo.
Including tanzaku will help you create a calendar with a unique, personal touch.
[For Seniors] DIY Tanabata Decorations: Simple Recreational Activities (11–20)
Adult tanzaku decorations
This is a recommended craft for older adults that lets you enjoy the spirit of Tanabata while using your fingertips.
Cut origami paper into bamboo leaf shapes and paste them in a balanced way onto a circular piece of construction paper.
Adjust and place mizuhiki cords so they fit within the paper to create a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Combine patterned origami with white paper to make tanzaku strips, write wishes on them, then thread them onto chenille stems to bring the whole piece together.
The finished work has a calm color palette that looks beautiful on display, and the textures of washi and mizuhiki give it an elegant feel.
It can also spark conversations about memories of Tanabata from the past, making it perfect for indoor summer recreation.
Tanabata decorations made with straws
For those who are unsure where to put a bamboo decoration, we recommend a straw-made bamboo display that can sit on a table.
Use a small paper cup as the base and insert green straws so they form a bamboo-grass shape.
Like grafting plants, attach small, finely cut pieces of straw here and there between the main straws, and it will start to resemble bamboo leaves.
Once the bamboo grass is done, use other straws to make decorations like tanzaku strips and combine them.
Since there are many small, detailed steps, it might be best for care facility staff to prepare the parts in advance and have older adults assemble the pieces.
Tanabata decorations made with ribbons
Let’s make colorful Tanabata decorations using ribbons.
Prepare several thin ribbons cut to about 10–15 cm.
Combine and line up about two colors of ribbon, then secure both ends of the ribbons with masking tape.
Once secured, roll them into thin tubes or twist them slightly and roll them so they form a shell-like shape.
Adjust the shape and you’re done.
It also looks great combined with ribbons tied in a bow.
Try different color combinations, different ways of rolling, and different sizes to create a vibrant decoration for your Tanabata bamboo branches!
Tanabata mobile
Let’s try making a cute, gently swaying Tanabata mobile! Using origami or construction paper, create various shapes like stars and circles, then string them vertically with thread to complete the mobile.
You can fold decorations like origami, or combine identical cutouts to make three-dimensional ornaments.
It’s also recommended to mix in felt balls or drawings made on shrink plastic.
Have each older adult make one strand and combine everyone’s to display on the wall, or have each person make about three strands and display each set as an individual piece—use these ideas to create festive Tanabata decorations.