Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enhance the Tanabata Atmosphere: Ideas Compilation

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For craft activities in senior care facilities, we recommend making seasonal projects that let everyone feel the changes of the four seasons.

Among these, wall decorations are especially useful: they help with fine-motor rehabilitation and can also spark deeper communication with those around them.

This time, we’re sharing wall decoration ideas for Tanabata, the major event in July.

We’ve gathered many ideas featuring classic Tanabata motifs such as Hikoboshi and Orihime, bamboo decorations, and the Milky Way.

Use this article as a guide to create lovely wall decorations together with the seniors.

[For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enhance the Tanabata Atmosphere: Idea Collection (41–50)

Sasa bamboo and tanzaku

[Craft Idea] Sasa bamboo — small bamboo ~papercraft~ (July Tanabata) (wall decoration) (tanzaku wish strips) (recreation for seniors) (early childhood/educational) (super easy) (creative) (psychiatric OT) (Psychiatric Occupational Therapy)

Sasa bamboo and tanzaku

For Tanabata wall decorations, bamboo branches and tanzaku (wish strips) are highly recommended.

Real bamboo can be hard to get, so make simple versions to enjoy the Tanabata mood.

After making bamboo from construction paper or origami, cut origami paper into long, narrow strips to use as tanzaku and have the older adults write their wishes on them.

If you stick the wish-filled tanzaku around the paper bamboo, your Tanabata scene is complete.

Encourage the older adults to read not only their own wishes but also those of others around them, and let that spark lively conversation.

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paper garment

Great for independent projects, too! Let’s make the Seven Decorations of the Sendai Tanabata Festival, Part 2: “Paper Kimono.”

paper garment

A decoration inspired by kimono made with origami is one of the “Seven Decorations” of the Sendai Tanabata Festival, imbued with wishes for warding off misfortune and improving sewing skills.

Because it’s a craft where you make folds so the kimono layers overlap, it’s also great for training fine finger movements.

The finished look changes depending on the origami you use, so show your originality through your color choices.

Using pre-printed patterned origami easily creates a kimono-like feel, so that’s recommended as well.

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net ornament

[Origami] Tanabata Decorations: Milky Way (Net Decoration)

net ornament

Let’s make net-style decorations using origami or colored construction paper and turn them into wall decor! The method is very simple: fold the paper firmly, then make alternating slits from the right and from the left, and when you open it up, you’ll have a net decoration.

Key points to watch out for: don’t accidentally cut all the way through when making the slits with scissors, and open it up slowly.

Be careful so it doesn’t tear.

If you make the slits finer, you can create a more luxurious-looking net decoration.

It’s also a great idea to use different colors to represent a colorful Milky Way.

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Orihime and Hikoboshi

How to make an “Orihime and Hikoboshi” wall decoration! Easy with free templates! July, Summer, Tanabata, tanzaku strips, construction paper crafts, wall décor

Orihime and Hikoboshi

Speaking of Tanabata, we can’t leave out the story’s main characters, Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Hikoboshi is known for a hairstyle that looks like a bun, while Orihime’s hair features a heart-shaped peak—let’s capture those details carefully.

Their outfits are also different from typical kimono: Hikoboshi wears attire reminiscent of Prince Shōtoku from the Nara period, and Orihime is striking in her flowing celestial robe.

If you place Orihime and Hikoboshi at the center and decorate around them with the Milky Way and bamboo leaves, the wall ornament will feel much more like Tanabata and gain a sense of depth in expression.

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crane

Origami paper crane easy! Traditional / How to fold an origami crane, easy! Tradition

crane

Tanabata, with its many star-related stories, is an event that evokes a strong, dazzling image of sparkling stars.

In Japan, cranes are a classic motif for such festive, glamorous occasions—an indispensable animal, you might say.

Incorporate crane motifs, which also convey wishes for longevity, to decorate Tanabata in a brilliant way.

When it comes to crane decorations, the classic choice is the origami crane, and the detailed steps of origami make it perfect as finger exercises, too.

A single origami crane is a simple ornament, so it’s also recommended to consider combining it with other decorations.

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tanzaku (paper strip for writing wishes)

A little twist to break the routine – Tanabata wish strips (July craft) (simple craft) (senior recreation) (seasonal craft) (wall display craft) (childcare)

tanzaku (paper strip for writing wishes)

I think many elder care facilities display tanzaku with everyone’s wishes written on them for Tanabata.

Tying them to bamboo is lovely, but arranging the tanzaku across an entire wall and making it a wall decoration is also recommended.

Plain rectangular slips might feel a bit dull, so how about adding a creative touch to the tanzaku? You could use colorful construction paper, cut out star shapes, make collage-style designs with origami, or decorate them with washi tape.

A wall display lined with cute tanzaku is sure to lift everyone’s spirits.

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In conclusion

We introduced wall decoration ideas perfect for Tanabata.

The motifs ranged from classic, traditional Tanabata ornaments to unique and cute ones like pandas.

There are various ways to make each motif, so please try creating them together with older adults while considering the level of difficulty!