[For Seniors] Perfect for winter events! Easy craft ideas

plastic bottle cap art

plastic bottle cap art

Introducing PET bottle cap art that lets you enjoy a pixel art–like expression.

As prep work, draw a grid on the base board.

Once you’ve decided on your subject, determine which colors are needed and where they should go.

The colors required will vary depending on the subject, so it’s important to work together to collect bottle caps.

After you’ve gathered enough caps, attach them with glue while checking their positions.

If you make it together for an event at a senior facility or another gathering, it can foster interaction among participants, and the sense of accomplishment when it’s finished will be all the greater.

Be sure to plan the process when you create it.

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kojifumi

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A scarf on a plate stand

[Easy for anyone!] A new knitting trick: the Plate-Stand Scarf #shorts

You can knit using a rod-style stand for holding plates upright.

Wrap the yarn around the rods on the plate stand in order.

Place the yarn over the wrapped yarn, then hook the lower yarn over it.

By repeating this, you can make a scarf.

There’s a similar method in finger knitting, so some older adults may have made one with their fingers before.

Plate stands and yarn are available at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to get started.

Since you use your fingers a lot, it may also have brain-training benefits.

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Nakajima Junko

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Easy fluffy mittens

[Done in seconds] Easy fluffy gloves using a twist on that popular kids’ game! #shorts

Let’s make simple gloves using yarn.

Many yarn crafts involve knitting needles or crochet hooks, right? Some older adults may feel, “I’m not good at knitting.” Knitting often includes complicated methods.

However, here’s a way to make knitted gloves using just cardboard and wooden sticks like ice cream sticks.

Place your hand on the cardboard and draw an outline about one size larger.

After cutting out the outline, make slits at 1-centimeter intervals along the cut edge.

Wrap yarn around all the slits in the cardboard, then attach yarn to a wooden stick and start weaving.

The key is to pack the woven sections tightly together.

Once you’ve finished weaving, tie off the end of the yarn, remove it from the cardboard, and you’re done.

This easy method for making hand-knit gloves seems like something older adults can enjoy as well.

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Nakajima Junko

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Rabbit ema (a wooden Shinto votive tablet featuring a rabbit)

Video on how to make the 'Raku-Reku Kit' | Theme: 'Ema Rabbit'. If you're wondering what kind of product the Raku-Reku Kit is, please take a look.

Let’s try making an ema plaque featuring the zodiac using a kit.

Many facilities probably create New Year’s crafts around the year-end and New Year holidays.

Using a kit makes preparation easy and allows you to create lovely pieces.

Cut out the parts with scissors and attach them to the ema plaque that serves as the base.

The process of applying glue to the small parts and sticking them onto the plaque seems like something you can really focus on.

There are reports suggesting that, for dementia prevention, concentrating on new tasks is more beneficial than doing familiar ones.

By using a kit to create a beautiful piece, you can also expect brain-training benefits.

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Nakajima Junko

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Daruma Fukuwarai

Recommended for senior recreation! Popular craft kit “Daruma Fukuwarai”

Some seniors may remember playing fukuwarai with their families during New Year’s.

Here’s a craft kit that will bring back those fun times.

Using fabric, you can make a daruma-themed fukuwarai decoration.

Attach fabric pieces, cut into each facial part, onto a felt base.

Since it only involves cutting and pasting, it’s also recommended for older men who have never tried sewing.

The best part of this kit is placing the facial features.

You can start with the eyes or the nose—whichever you like.

Let seniors arrange the pieces however they prefer.

It’s a fukuwarai kit that makes the process itself a joyful time.

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Nakajima Junko

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ball ornament

How to Make “Ball Ornaments”! Cute and Easy Decorations with Felt [Felt Crafts: Small Items & Christmas Decorations] | DIY Felt Ball Ornaments Tutorial

Here’s an introduction to making a cute spherical ornament out of felt.

First, create a circular template and use it to cut out circles from felt.

Cut five pieces each in two colors, such as red and green, then cut them in half and glue them together with a hot glue gun.

Be careful not to burn yourself, as the glue gun gets very hot.

After making two half-spheres, attach a bell with a thread to the bottom, and a ribbon with a pearl bead to the top.

That’s it! Simply by changing the colors, you can create ornaments with either a Western or Japanese feel—aren’t they lovely?

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Mini bag made of faux leather

For absolute beginners: No sewing machine or needles needed! Super easy because there’s no sewing 😆 How to make mini gift bags for sharing and presents

Faux leather for crafts, which is also sold at 100-yen shops.

Unlike fabric, faux leather doesn’t fray at the edges, so you don’t even need to sew it.

It’s a perfect material for crafts aimed at seniors that don’t use needles.

Prepare a mini-bag pattern in advance, trace it onto the faux leather, and draw your guidelines.

Cut along the lines and assemble.

You can also add plates or ribbons if you like.

It will look nice displayed in a senior’s room, and it would also make a delightful gift for family.

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Nakajima Junko

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