[For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple, Recommended Crafts

Felt kadomatsu

[No-sew] New Year Decoration Made of Felt / Felt Kadomatsu / DIY: How to Make a Felt Japanese New Year Decoration

Let’s try making a kadomatsu using warm, cozy felt fabric! You can make it without sewing, and since you’ll be using your fingers a lot, it’s perfect for finger dexterity training for seniors.

Cut out each part—pine, bamboo, and plum—from felt, then attach them with a glue gun or similar adhesive.

A good tip is to make the bamboo first as the base, then arrange the other plants while checking the balance.

Watching it gradually take on the look of a kadomatsu will likely be exciting for seniors, too.

You can also enjoy customizing it, such as by changing the decoration colors!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

flower ball

Flower ball (made with pine cones)

As one of the craft activities for seniors that uses familiar natural materials, here is how to make an adorable “flower ball” with pine cones.

This craft stimulates the brain through finger movements and can help prevent cognitive decline.

Pine cones are easy to obtain and familiar to many older adults, which can also lead to sharing memories from the past.

The flower ball is simple and safe to make, but care is needed when using a hot glue gun.

The finished flower ball can be enjoyed as a wall hanging or a mobile.

It’s also nice to make it together with seniors while enjoying conversations that blossom into reminiscences.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nanaka

Report a problem

Boots & stick candy

[Origami] Christmas Decorations with Hearts (1): Make Boots & Candy Canes with a Single Sheet — How to make origami boots and stick candy.

Speaking of Christmas boots, many of us picture big boots stuffed with fun sweets.

You might think, “People in the West come up with such stylish ideas,” but in fact, Christmas boots are a Japanese invention.

The story goes that a confectioner in Shiga Prefecture saw the socks and boots hung on Christmas trees and thought, “What if we make them bigger, fill them with candy, and sell them?” Surprising, isn’t it? How about folding a Christmas boot out of origami? Matching stick candies folded in the same color scheme are also recommended.

Plastic bottle snow globe

[Snowman] Easy! How to Make a Snow Globe with a Plastic Bottle ⛄ [Winter Craft]

A snow globe lets you easily enjoy a magical scene like dancing snow.

Let’s make a simple snow globe using a plastic bottle! Prepare a paper cup and decorate it however you like—draw pictures, add stickers, or glue on paper cut into your favorite shapes.

Next, put small colorful felt balls and glittery sparkles into an empty plastic bottle, then fill it to the top with water.

Once both the paper cup and the bottle are ready, insert the bottle’s mouth into the paper cup, and you’re done! When you turn it upside down, the decorations inside swirl around, creating a beautiful display.

For a more floating, drifting effect, try mixing in liquid laundry starch or school glue along with the water.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

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?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

poinsettia

Poinsettias Made with Craft Punches [Christmas Decorations] – DIY How to Make Miniature Paper Poinsettias | Christmas Decor

Let’s add a little extra touch to flower petals made with a craft punch and create poinsettias, a must-have plant for Christmas.

We’ll fold the red and green petal pieces, make cuts with scissors to form sharp, leaf-like shapes, and layer them to finish the poinsettia.

The process involves fine motor actions like folding and cutting, which helps strengthen focus in the fingertips.

After that, simply glue the parts together and attach beads in the center to complete it.

Because the finished piece is small, it’s an easy craft to incorporate into various decorations.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

Poinsettia wall decoration

[Christmas Decorations] Easy December Poinsettia Wall Decoration [Activities for Seniors] Poinsettia wall decoration

Poinsettias have the flower meanings of “Holy Night,” “Blessing,” and “Wishing for Good Fortune.” Because their shape resembles a star, they’re the perfect flower for Christmas.

This time, we’ll introduce a poinsettia decoration with this kind of charm! You can easily make it with origami.

First, fold the paper diagonally and cut it into the shape of a leaf.

Make two of these and paste them together slightly offset.

If you add lines to the leaves, you can create a rough, textured look.

Using red and yellow makes it look bright and festive, and is recommended.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

hanauta obasan

Report a problem