Simple Crafts for the Elderly Recommended for Tanabata
July 7 is Tanabata.
When you think of Tanabata, many people picture Princess Orihime, Prince Hikoboshi, and the Milky Way.
For older adults, hands-on crafts that let them experience seasonal events provide great stimulation for the brain.
In this article, we introduce easy craft ideas recommended for Tanabata.
We’ve gathered a wide range of Tanabata-themed craft ideas, including decorations, garlands, wall art, and tanzaku wish strips.
They’re all simple to make, so older adults can try them with ease.
Be sure to read this article and use it to help with your Tanabata crafting!
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[For Seniors] Easy Crafts Recommended for Tanabata (21–30)
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.
Milky Way star ornament
Decorate the ceiling and enjoy the atmosphere! Here are some ideas for Milky Way star decorations.
The Milky Way refers to a band of stars that emits a faint, milky light and looks like a river.
It’s also known as the Milky Way, derived from Greek mythology.
This time, let’s make Milky Way star decorations using origami.
You’ll need origami paper, a non-slip mat, string, and a sewing machine.
Choose any origami you like, such as patterned sheets or materials with a sparkly finish.
A star-shaped ornament whose shadow is cute
Let’s make a craft you can stick on a window and enjoy both the decoration itself and the colorful shadows it casts.
Cut black construction paper into a star shape and hollow out the center a little.
Cover the cut-out area with clear packing tape.
Then randomly stick on small pieces of colored cellophane.
It looks beautiful if you combine different colors.
Once you’ve covered it, place another layer of clear tape over the cellophane and trim off any excess.
Attach strips of colored cellophane like streamers to the bottom of the star, and you’re done! Instead of sticking it flat against the window or wall, leave it slightly free to sway—this way, vivid, colored shadows will be cast on the window or wall.
Milky Way with streamers
Here’s how to make a recommended Tanabata streamer Milky Way.
Fold the origami and make slits with scissors.
Slowly open the origami and gently stretch it hole by hole.
Next, for the streamer part, cut vertical slits, then apply glue to the top section.
Once you attach the streamers to the Milky Way, it’s complete.
Try making your own original Milky Way by changing the colors of the origami and getting creative.
It’ll look even cuter if you add sparkly stickers or cut out star shapes and stick them on!
Origami yukata
Let’s fold and make a yukata and an obi out of origami—perfect for adding a touch of color and flair to Tanabata decorations.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper and make crisp creases as you fold.
It’s fun to choose the color of the paper while imagining what color the yukata should be.
At the end, you’ll use scissors—be careful not to cut in the wrong place.
The obi is made by folding the paper in half; the method is simple, so it’s easy and recommended.
Choose the color of the obi to match the color of the yukata.
Using patterned origami paper can add a nice design effect.
wastebasket
The Tanabata decoration called the “wastebasket” carries the wish to foster thrift, cleanliness, and a respect for not wasting things.
It’s made by putting scraps of paper produced during decoration-making into a basket crafted from origami.
First, take a 15 cm square sheet of origami paper and fold it into a triangle three times.
Then fold the edge with connected creases over to meet the opposite edge.
Cut off the small triangle at the top with scissors, and make slits on the left and right.
Carefully open the origami and shape it so it looks like a bag.
Finally, put the paper scraps inside and twist a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) around the opening to close it, and you’re done.
a large windsock
Why not try making a large, eye-catching windsock to hang up? When it comes to Tanabata, people think of bamboo decorations, but even if you can’t get bamboo, just hanging this windsock by the front door will let you feel the Tanabata spirit.
The base of the windsock is a sphere made by cutting an empty tissue box into strips and linking them together.
Hang rings made from empty boxes in the same way from that base, then tie on strings threaded through paper cranes and let them dangle.
Attach one more ring below each crane and stick on bands made from wrapping paper.
Finally, add tissue-paper flowers to cover the base, and you’re done.