For Seniors: Fun, Energetic Ways to Beat the Summer! Origami Idea Roundup
Summer events like festivals and the opening of beach season excite both adults and children, but when the peak of summer arrives, many older adults choose to stay indoors due to the intense heat.
In senior care facilities as well, people tend to spend more time inside.
Even in a cool indoor environment, why not try origami activities that evoke the feeling of summer? Folding motifs like yukata, fireworks, and shaved ice may bring back fond memories of summers past.
Enjoy a wonderful crafting time while sharing those delightful stories from long ago.
- [For Seniors] July-Themed Origami: A Collection of Fun Ideas
- [For Seniors] August-Themed Origami: Simple Ideas to Try
- [For Seniors] Have Fun with Recreation! Origami Ideas
- [For Seniors] Handmade Summer Greeting Cards: A Collection of Lovely Summer Motifs
- [For Seniors] Perfect for June: Introducing simple origami projects
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Hot Summer to the Fullest! A Collection of Easy Craft Ideas
- [Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors
- [For Care Facilities] Let’s Enjoy the Summer! A Collection of Wall Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Summer Wall Decorations: A Collection of Fun, Eye-Catching Motifs
- [For Seniors] Fun Origami That Also Works as Rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas
- Easy origami that delights the elderly. Enjoy a heart-lifting time with seasonal origami.
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Summer to the Fullest! Fun Summer-Only Activities Introduced
[For Seniors] Enjoy a Fun and Lively Summer! Origami Idea Collection (41–50)
crab
Here’s an introduction to crab origami that evokes the feeling of the summer sea.
Many older adults may have gone to the beach with family or friends during summer vacation.
This crab origami is sure to bring back those happy memories.
When you think of crabs, you think of their claws—these claws are made from a single sheet of origami paper together with the body.
Many people imagine crabs as red, but don’t feel limited to red; try making them with orange or blue origami paper as well.
With the variety of colors and patterns available in origami paper, you can create uniquely expressive pieces.
box of watermelons
Watermelon is one of the iconic foods of summer, isn’t it? Many older adults likely have memories of eating watermelon in the summer.
So this time, we’ll introduce an origami project with a watermelon theme: a watermelon box.
We’ll make the flesh part and the rind part with origami.
By separating them, the flesh becomes the lid and the rind becomes the container.
When finished, you’ll have a triangular watermelon box, just like the slice you hold when you eat it.
It can serve as a little trinket box, and if you put some candy inside and give it to your grandchild, they’ll probably be delighted.
hibiscus
Hibiscus under the hot summer sun.
Wouldn’t it be perfect for an August origami project? Here’s a hibiscus origami craft that almost makes you hear a cheerful “Aloha!” The hibiscus is known for its large, fluttering petals.
You can express this by adding long, narrow creases to the origami when folding the petal sections.
Since it uses a lot of finger movement, it’s also great for brain training and finger dexterity.
Cut the tip of the origami into a curved, petal-like shape.
Create the stamens and pistil in the center, as well as the leaves and stem, attach them to the petals, and you’re done.
It’s a lovely, three-dimensional hibiscus piece.
Tanabata garland
In July, we celebrate Tanabata, don’t we? Many senior care facilities may also decorate bamboo branches and make tanzaku wish strips.
Here’s a perfect garland for Tanabata decorations.
Prepare transparent design paper and star-shaped ornaments.
These are sold at 100-yen shops, so they’re easy to get ready.
Attach the design paper to the star ornaments, or cut it into long strips with slits to make streamers.
It’s also recommended to cut the design paper into circles, attach them to a string, and connect them.
Once you string the decorations together, you’ll have a lovely garland.
The seniors will likely feel the coming of summer through these transparent, airy Tanabata decorations.
Handmade uchiwa (Japanese handheld fan)
There may be days in August when you find yourself fanning with an uchiwa.
Ready-made ones are fine, but how about spending summer with a handmade fan? Take three sheets of origami paper, fold them accordion-style, and glue them together in a row.
Attach chopsticks to the left and right ends and secure them with cellophane tape.
When you hold the chopsticks and spread it open, it becomes a fan.
For a fun variation, use red origami paper and stick on strips of white and green origami.
Draw black dots on the red paper and fold it accordion-style.
Then, assemble it the same way to complete a watermelon-themed uchiwa.
Super Easy! Cicada
When it comes to classic summer insects, many people probably think of cicadas.
Their buzzing also accentuates the heat of summer.
That’s why folding a cicada in origami in July can immediately evoke a sense of summer, even for older adults.
Let’s try a simple cicada origami.
Even with a design that has few complicated steps, using the fingertips helps stimulate the brain.
By making fine folds around the abdomen, you can create a realistic cicada shape.
As you fold cicada origami together, you might find yourselves chatting with seniors about memorable summer stories from the past.
balloon goldfish
Some older adults may have fond memories of scooping goldfish at summer festival stalls, don’t you think? Watching goldfish gracefully swim in a tank can also evoke a refreshing, cool feeling.
Let’s help older adults feel the arrival of summer with goldfish origami.
If you make a goldfish that turns into a paper balloon, you can blow air into it to create a plump, adorable goldfish.
Try using origami in various colors, or with traditional Japanese patterns or polka dots.
You can create unique pieces that only origami can achieve.
Display them on the wall or paste them onto a backing shaped like an aquarium—your ideas will expand the possibilities of your creations.