[For Seniors] Enjoy Something New Every Day! Today’s Origami

amulet

(Simple Origami Craft) How to Make a Cute Amulet — Perfect for Birthday and New Year Gifts! Kids’ Craft, Origami, Activities for Seniors

How about giving an origami charm as a gift? Cranes are considered symbols of longevity, making them perfect for presents to seniors.

Fold one with the wish that they stay healthy for many years to come.

The folding method is relatively simple, so you can enjoy making them together.

Origami flowers also make lovely gifts.

If you use colorful paper, they’re sure to brighten the heart.

Adding a message card will convey your feelings even more.

Why not fold them with care, filled with gratitude for someone special?

Carp streamers with plump, scaly patterns

[Origami and Colored Construction Paper] Cute Koinobori with Puffy Scales (with Audio Commentary)

Here is a carp streamer (koinobori) you can display indoors at your facility.

Many places change their wall decorations each month, don’t they? Some older adults seem to feel the season through wall decorations related to the month’s representative events and celebrations.

Seeing koinobori decorations may remind them of Children’s Day in May and the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku).

A koinobori with charmingly plump scales is fun not only to make but also just to look at.

The puffy scales, made with two sheets of origami paper, aren’t difficult, so many older adults should be able to create them.

By admiring the wonderful koinobori they made themselves, they can also feel a sense of accomplishment.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

menko (a traditional Japanese card-and-coin-flipping game)

Easy! Origami: How to make a paper menko [tutorial]

Let’s make a traditional toy, menko—familiar to many seniors—using origami! After you make it, how about enjoying a fun game of menko with your family or everyone at day service? You’ll create parts from two sheets of origami paper and combine them at the end.

By changing the color combinations, you can transform the look and finish with a charming menko! It’s perfect for New Year’s activities at day service or for making together with your grandchildren, so give it a try!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

cupcake

[Origami] How to Make a Cupcake

A birthday cake is essential for any birthday celebration.

Some senior care facilities and day services may also prepare cakes to celebrate residents’ birthdays.

Let’s make a cute cupcake using three sheets of origami! Using three sheets of origami paper in different sizes, you’ll create the cupcake’s decoration, the cupcake body, and a heart ornament.

Combine the three folded origami pieces, and you’ll have an adorable cupcake.

It would be fun to make it together with seniors while chatting.

You can also add a personal touch by attaching a message to the finished cupcake.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Cosmos wreath

[Origami] How to Make a Cosmos Wreath / How to Make Cosmos Wreath

A “cosmos flower wreath” is a great gift for seniors.

By expressing the autumn-symbolizing cosmos in colorful origami, simply displaying it in a room can bring in the feel of the season.

Each carefully folded blossom makes it a warm, heartfelt present.

If you share the making process with others, you can also enjoy the fun of origami and the pleasant texture of paper.

Because origami uses fine motor skills, it can stimulate brain activity and potentially enhance thinking and imagination.

Adding a heartfelt message card will convey your feelings even more, so it’s highly recommended.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nanaka

Report a problem

shortcake

[Easy Origami] DIY Christmas Shortcake with One Sheet / Origami Cake

Many seniors enjoy eating cake on their birthdays, whether in care facilities or at home.

Birthday cake seems to be a familiar treat for older adults as well.

Let’s try folding a shortcake out of origami—perfect for a birthday.

This cake origami uses just one sheet of paper and doesn’t have many complicated steps, making it a great option for seniors.

Imagining the finished piece and using your fingertips to fold the paper stimulates the brain, offering a fun way to get some cognitive training.

You can write a message on the finished shortcake and give it as a gift, or display it at a facility—it will look lovely either way.

With a few creative tweaks, you can also change the cake’s shape, so it’s sure to be useful beyond birthdays too.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Origami Cat

[Origami] Easy! How to Make a “Cat” – Origami Cat

February 22 is said to be Cat Day.

Let’s encourage seniors to enjoy making seasonally fitting “cat” origami in February while getting some finger exercise.

Moving the fingers stimulates the brain and may help prevent dementia.

Origami can be done while seated, and many seniors likely played with it when they were young.

It’s a familiar pastime for them, and this cat origami isn’t complicated, so they can take it on without strain.

The finished pieces are heartwarming works that can be displayed on facility walls or in their own rooms.

With a bit of creativity—such as combining them with other pieces—you can achieve an even cuter result.