[For Seniors] Styrofoam Craft Ideas: Simple and Recommended

seal (personal stamp)

Let's make a stamp with styrofoam

Did you know that when you write on styrofoam with an oil-based marker, the styrofoam melts? This happens because components in the styrofoam dissolve due to components in the oil-based marker.

This phenomenon is used to make styrofoam stamps.

You draw illustrations or letters on the styrofoam base of the stamp with an oil-based marker.

By skillfully taking advantage of the parts that melt where you draw, you can create wonderful stamps.

Since you can make them without using knives or cutters, they may be easier for older adults to try.

Give it a go with your favorite illustrations or letters!

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Nakajima Junko

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A small, cute bear

(Styrofoam) Small and cute! How to make a bear [DIY]

Let’s try making a small, cute bear using styrofoam.

You can also use styrofoam balls, which you can find at 100-yen shops or craft stores.

Create the bear’s parts—such as the face, body, legs, and arms—from styrofoam, and then cover them with terry cloth fabric.

Assemble the parts to finish it.

There are also kits available for making small handmade dolls and animals, right? But when you make it with materials you’ve gathered yourself, you can create a more original piece.

It seems like older adults could make one as a gift for their grandchildren, and it would surely be appreciated.

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Nakajima Junko

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Guitar made from a foam tray

[Art Anywhere] [Summer Vacation Craft] Guitar Made from Foam Trays [Handmade Instrument]

There are plenty of craft ideas using Styrofoam, but making a musical instrument would be surprising, wouldn’t it? In this video, they introduce a handmade guitar using a foam tray.

Use a paper cup or another round object to trace circles onto the foam tray, then cut them out with a utility knife.

Align another tray on the opposite side and secure them together with vinyl tape.

Snap a wooden chopstick in half and attach it to the tray, then add five rubber bands and tape them down.

Finally, attach a piece of cardboard as the neck or tie on a string, and your guitar is complete! Why not grab your handmade guitar and enjoy playing together with everyone?

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moko

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Printmaking with foam trays

Recycling Food Trays: Printmaking Fun

Many people throw away the foam trays that come with fish and meat, don’t they? In fact, you can use those foam trays to enjoy printmaking.

Wash the tray, let it dry thoroughly, then cut out the bottom portion and draw your favorite design with a pencil.

Trace over the drawn lines with a bamboo chopstick.

Place the tray with the drawing on top of cardboard or newspaper, apply paint, then lay a sheet of drawing paper over it and rub—your print is done! Traditional printmaking uses blocks and carving tools, but with this method, you can enjoy printmaking very easily.

Please consider using it as a craft recreation idea in senior care facilities.

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moko

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Target game with a foam tray

[Craft] I tried making a Wakuwaku-san–style “target shooting game” using foam trays!

Fun to make, fun to play! Let’s try making a target-shooting game you can enjoy over and over again! In this video, they show how to make a target game using foam trays.

Use the bottom part of a tray that once held meat or fish to create a toy gun.

Be very careful when using a utility knife.

Cut out the gun shape and make a small triangular notch at the tip.

Then make the target from another tray, and you’re done.

Hook a rubber band onto the notch of the gun and… the target game begins! It sounds like it would be a blast to have everyone make one and hold a target-shooting contest.

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moko

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Airplane made from a foam tray

[WakuWaku-san’s Craft Workshop] Make an airplane out of a foam tray, fly it, and have fun!

Let me introduce a fun, make-and-play airplane using foam trays.

Use the foam trays that often hold meat or fish from the supermarket.

Draw the airplane’s fuselage and wings on the foam tray with a pen, then cut them out with a utility knife.

If cutting is difficult for older adults, please provide support.

Of course, it’s also fine to start the project after someone else has cut out the airplane parts.

Attach tape to the parts or make slits to assemble them.

You can fly the plane as is, or make a launcher out of construction paper and use that to launch it.

Playing a game where you fly the airplanes you made with older adults is sure to be a hit.

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Nakajima Junko

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Foam Tray Guide

[Science at Home] Let's Make a Bookmark with a Foam Tray!

How about making bookmarks using the foam trays that used to hold meat or fish? Cut out two pieces of the tray to your preferred size.

Place small circles made from origami paper—these will become polka dots—on one tray, then sandwich them with the other tray and apply heat with an iron.

If you sandwich the trays in parchment paper and press with the iron for about 10 seconds, they become thin and flexible.

Foam trays soften when heated, so you can easily reshape them.

It’s a fun craft that takes advantage of the properties of foam trays.

Give it a try, and be careful not to burn yourself.

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moko

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