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

Japanese-style hanging decoration for New Year

[Craft Idea] New Year hanging decorations ~ Yakko kite ~ Hanging decorations for the New Year (January) (wall decorations, senior recreation, occupational therapy, day service, crafts) (early childhood education) (origami crane) (DIY, origami)

As a slightly more intricate craft idea, here’s a New Year’s Japanese-style hanging decoration.

This one uses origami to make yakko-dako kites and cranes.

A yakko-dako is a kite shaped like a person in a kimono with arms outstretched—you often see them around New Year’s.

You can also try making other Japanese motifs in origami, such as plum blossoms and folding fans.

If the fine work involved in making the yakko-dako is difficult, prepare the parts in advance and provide support as needed.

Create the pieces with origami, cut small parts with a craft knife, arrange them, and you’re done.

Hang it in your room to enjoy the look of them flying.

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yamamoto

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shimenawa wreath

[Senior Recreation] Easy New Year’s Shimenawa Wreath Using Newspaper [Craft/DIY] New Year decoration

A shimenawa is a sacred rope believed to ward off evil and keep bad things away.

Let’s make a cute wreath-style shimenawa to wish for a new year free of misfortune! For the wreath base, roll up newspaper or similar paper into a long, thin tube and form it into a ring.

Wrap crêpe paper with a textured finish, washi, or other paper around it.

That completes the base.

Then use the remaining crêpe paper, washi, origami, and more to decorate it freely.

Try adding winter flowers like camellias or plum blossoms, and attach ribbon shapes as well.

Using artificial flowers is also recommended!

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SAKI

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daruma ornament

[Elderly Recreation] Easy New Year’s Craft: Daruma Decoration [Making/Handicraft]

Daruma dolls are displayed as talismans to ward off evil and grant wishes.

Some people buy a new one at New Year’s to set fresh intentions.

How about making your own daruma to kick off a wonderful new year? It’s easy: use a milk carton formed into a ring as the base, then attach origami or tissue paper around it.

Traditionally, you fill in one eye first and the other after your wish comes true, but it’s also fine to draw both eyes from the start if you prefer.

The color changes the meaning, so choose one with yourself, your grandchildren, or your family in mind.

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SAKI

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garland

[Christmas Decorations] 3D Snowman Garland [Activities for Seniors] Snowman garland

Let’s make a soft, cute snowman garland.

Use a milk carton and a paper tube as the bases, then cover each base with crumpled tissue paper, wrapping it over the outside and tucking it inward.

The trick is to shape it so the surface looks soft and rounded.

After covering each base with tissue paper, glue the pieces together and let them dry.

Make the facial features from origami paper, attach them, and line up snowmen and snowballs made in different colors to create your garland.

Making paper snowflakes from origami will look adorable, too.

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utatane

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Christmas wreath

[Handmade Wreath] [Christmas Craft] How to make a paper plate wreath. I’d be happy if you could use this for crafts or everyday play. It’s super easy, so be sure to try it with the kids!

There are lots of events in winter, but Christmas is definitely a must.

How about making a Christmas wreath? You can use any materials you like, but it’s easy to make a ring using a paper plate as the base.

Try sticking on double-sided tape and wrapping yarn around it, attaching packing peanuts, or winding masking tape around it.

Then decorate by gluing on beads or pom-poms from the top.

You can also tie on a ribbon or attach some sparkly tinsel to make it shine.

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utatane

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Ema with sponge stamps

[Senior Recreation] Rec Artisan Series Part 220: Ema (Votive Plaque) Making

Ema, the wooden plaques on which people write their wishes and hang them at shrines, are one of the key motifs that evoke the New Year.

Let’s easily make our own ema out of construction paper and decorate them beautifully with sponge stamps.

Even with a simple paper shape, adding brush-pen lettering and a red seal gives it a genuine ema feel.

If carving sponges to make stamps is difficult, another great approach is to prepare a variety of stamp patterns in advance and have people choose the one that best fits their wish.

It might be better to focus more on the writing aspect than on the crafting itself.

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kappamaki

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Snowman made with tissue paper

Making Snowmen with Tissues: Suitable for ages 3 to early elementary school—and of course, adults will enjoy it too!

Snowmen made from tissues are such a cute idea.

I recommend this as a craft you can enjoy together with seniors.

Folding the four corners and securing them with tape might take a little time, but that allows you to work on it at a relaxed pace.

There are parts where some assistance may be needed, so it’s nice that you can cooperate and make them while communicating.

With tissue-based snow and scarf decorations, you can create snowmen full of personality.

It seems like a fun recreational activity that exercises the mind while letting everyone use their imagination.