Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Have Fun Reusing! Tissue Box Craft Ideas

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

When you think of familiar scrap materials, tissue boxes probably come to mind.

Since we use tissues every day, tissue boxes are something we often end up throwing away.

Here are some ideas to repurpose those tissue boxes that would otherwise be discarded.

There are practical items like small organizers and pen stands, games you can play after making them, and even projects perfect as gifts for your grandchildren.

Crafting uses your hands, which helps exercise your fingers and stimulate the brain.

It also builds creativity and can be effective for dementia prevention.

Use this article as a guide and give tissue box crafts a try!

[For Seniors] Have Fun Reusing! Tissue Box Craft Ideas (1–10)

gift box

Let’s make a gift box out of an empty tissue box! ~Let’s make a gift box with a tissue box!~

gift box

With just a little extra effort, an empty tissue box can be transformed into an adorable gift box.

All you need are a tissue box, your favorite beads, and two kinds of construction paper.

Draw guide lines on the tissue box, cut along them with scissors, and make creases.

Then simply fold along the guide lines to create a box that opens and closes.

Attach your chosen construction paper and decorate with beads, and it’s ready in no time.

Since it can be made easily with everyday materials, it’s great for use in elderly care facilities as a fine motor skills activity.

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Watermelon tissue box

[How to Make] Watermelon Tissue Box — Modify a store-bought tissue box to create it!

Watermelon tissue box

It’s a bit complicated, but here’s a watermelon-themed tissue box that gives a real sense of accomplishment when you finish.

First, carefully open a box of tissues and remove the tissues inside.

Cut the box into two pieces from the middle of the side.

Take one of the pieces, fold it once in the center, make a small slit, then fold it to a 90-degree angle and secure it with tape.

Take the other piece, make small slits along the edge, and attach it to the box that you folded to 90 degrees.

Fold the box while adding curves so it forms a watermelon shape, then put the tissues you removed back inside.

Since the side is open, glue on some suitable cardstock to cover it.

Trim the corners, then attach red and green fabric to resemble a watermelon, and you’re done.

If you stick rickrack tape around the opening, it looks like a bite has been taken out of the watermelon, which is a fun touch.

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pendulum clock

A pendulum clock you can easily make with a tissue box ♪

How about making a pendulum clock out of a tissue box? All you need is one tissue box, construction paper, cardboard, a bamboo skewer, and two buttons.

First, remove the plastic film from the box.

Decorate the surface by gluing on construction paper.

Then make a slit on the side large enough for the cardboard to pass through.

Put double-sided tape on the end of the cardboard and attach a button.

Thread the cardboard through the hole in the box, then make a hole on the opposite side and insert the bamboo skewer.

Now the pendulum part is complete.

Cut a circle out of construction paper, write the numbers on it, and make the clock face.

Glue the face onto the box, and finish by attaching a paper bird above the pendulum.

The gently swinging pendulum will look just like the real thing.

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[For Seniors] Let's Have Fun Reusing! Tissue Box Craft Ideas (11–20)

Remake tissue box

[Let's Try This at Home: Crafts] Adult Crafting / Upcycling an Empty Tissue Box into a Tissue Case — cardboard craft, DIY ideas for girls, thick paper crafts

Remake tissue box

Why not make your own tissue case using a tissue box? First, use construction paper to create the top surface of the tissue case and add patterns.

In the video, lines were drawn in a diamond pattern, but any design you like is fine.

Cut slits into a rubber spatula, apply paint directly to it, and press it onto the paper to create a textured, three-dimensional pattern.

You can also layer decorations for added effect.

Cut down an empty box to make it smaller than its original size, then reassemble it to use as the base.

Use construction paper to make a template and build the inner box that will hold the tissues.

Prepare another box and cover it with the decorated construction paper you made earlier—this will be the cover portion of the tissue case.

Stack the two boxes together to complete your tissue case.

The process is a bit complex, but you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind tissue case that exists nowhere else.

Give it a try!

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Pitfall Game

[Wakuwaku-san’s Craft Workshop] Let’s make a pitfall game using a tissue box!

Pitfall Game

Let’s make a simple pitfall game you can enjoy using an empty tissue box.

Mark both ends of the box, cut them, then tape them back together to restore the original box shape.

Draw circles on the surface of the box and cut holes with scissors.

These holes become pitfalls, and the key to the game is to carefully maneuver so the marble doesn’t fall in.

If you set a rule to cover the marble with a case and move it from start to goal, it becomes a simple yet deep game.

The fine hand movements help train finger dexterity, and you can also expect benefits for concentration and decision-making.

By adjusting the crafting method, you can tune the difficulty, making it a game with a wide range of enjoyable ideas.

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Sweet potato digging craft

Let's make a papercraft for sweet potato digging! An easy fall craft you can make just by sticking things together, using an empty tissue box and newspaper.

Sweet potato digging craft

Here’s a craft idea that lets you enjoy sweet potato digging indoors.

Cut newspaper into A5-size pieces, roll them up tightly, and tie them with string to make three “potatoes.” Wrap them in purple origami paper to create realistic sweet potatoes.

Cut leaf shapes (heart-shaped) and attach them to the potatoes to make the leaf parts.

Cover an empty tissue box with brown origami paper to resemble soil, then place the potatoes inside—now you’re ready.

When you pull the leaf part, the sweet potato pops out from the “soil.” Using your hands helps stimulate the brain and can serve as rehabilitation, and the charm is that you can enjoy a seasonal tradition while playing.

It’s a craft that’s fun to make and fun to play with, letting you feel the spirit of autumn.

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lion dance

I tried making a traditional performing-arts lion dance! ~Easy empty-box craft~

lion dance

Let’s make a shishimai (lion dance) figure—often used as a good-luck charm at festivals and in traditional performing arts—using an empty tissue box.

The materials and steps are simple, so even seniors who aren’t confident with crafts can enjoy it.

Cut the middle of the empty box, fold it, and create the lion’s mouth.

Drawing the eyes and decorating with construction paper for the teeth and ears will give your shishimai a more expressive look.

Adding red or green paper makes it feel more authentic.

For seniors, moving their fingers helps stimulate the brain and can serve as rehabilitation, and it’s also nice that they can display the finished piece and enjoy it.

Using it at festivals or celebrations is a great idea that can spark conversations with people around them.

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