[For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple, Recommended Crafts
Here are some recommended winter craft ideas that are perfect for seniors!
Winter brings lots of fun events and occasions, such as Christmas and New Year’s.
You might also think of seasonal foods, games, weather, and the cold.
So this time, we’ve gathered many craft ideas that help seniors feel the winter season.
Why not enjoy some craft activities in a warm indoor setting?
Using your fingers and brain can also provide cognitive training benefits.
If the crafts are practical, you can take them home to use or display and enjoy.
Please make use of these ideas in your daily recreation activities.
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[For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple Recommended Crafts (151–160)
Ehomaki made by rolling paper
When the Setsubun season approaches, making an Ehomaki out of origami is a fun idea.
First, prepare yellow, green, pink, and red origami sheets cut to half-size, and crumple each into a ball.
Open them back up, lay them horizontally, and roll them up tightly.
They’ll look just like fillings such as tamagoyaki, cucumber, tuna, and crab.
Wrap them with two rolled sheets of kitchen paper and secure with clear tape, then wrap the outside with black cardboard and tape that as well, and you’re done.
You can also think up other fillings to try!
paper plate spinning top
How about trying a “paper plate spinning top” that’s fun to play with even after you make it? Using a simple, everyday material—a paper plate—you can craft it easily, and after enjoying the making process, older adults are sure to feel like kids again as they get absorbed in spinning it! To make one, fold a paper plate in half and crease it again to form a cross, decorate it freely with markers, then tape a plastic bottle cap to the center.
It’s super easy, so it would be great for a day-service craft activity or to make and play with your grandchildren.
Tatsu Kazari
Let’s make a stylish and cute dragon decoration by simply cutting colored construction paper in a spiral! It’s an easy craft that seniors can enjoy, so feel free to use it for day-service craft activities.
To make it, draw a spiral on a square piece of colored construction paper and cut along the line with scissors—that’s it! You can customize the dragon’s head as you like.
Adding plastic dividers used for lunchboxes (baran) to the dragon’s body will enhance the look.
Attach a string to turn it into a hanging decoration, and display it in your room to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.
Snowflake garland
A snowflake garland made from origami or patterned paper—perfect for winter.
Paper cutting is also effective for training seniors’ finger dexterity and helping to prevent dementia, so it could be ideal for craft activities at day service centers.
First, fold your favorite origami paper into a triangle three times, draw a snowflake design, and cut it out with scissors.
Carefully open it, place it face up, align the second piece at the center and glue it, then make four mountain folds to give it a three-dimensional shape.
Next, make one more identical piece and attach them together to create a very festive snowflake! Try using various patterned papers and enjoy making winter crafts.
Snowflake stamp
One of the charms of lactic acid bacteria drink containers is their small, easy-to-hold, distinctive shape.
This adorable stamp takes advantage of that easy grip to press a snowflake pattern.
The method is simple: attach a plastic bottle cap to the container, then attach cushion sheet pieces—cut into snowflake parts—to the cap.
After adding some decoration, it’s complete.
You then stamp it repeatedly to build up a snowflake.
The fun part is being able to create your own unique snowflakes depending on your choice of colors and how you stamp.
Try experimenting with the stamp shapes as well to add originality.
Snowman made from socks
As a winter-themed craft, I recommend making a snowman out of a sock! Since you don’t use needles or thread, older adults can enjoy crafting safely and with peace of mind.
First, cut a piece of cardboard into a circle and place it at the bottom of the sock, then stuff the sock with cotton and tightly tie the opening with a rubber band.
Next, tie another rubber band around the neck to separate the head and body, and decorate with a ribbon.
Use sticker gems for the eyes and pom-poms for the nose.
If that step is difficult, drawing them with a pen is fine! Adding a hat or scarf will make it even cuter.
It also makes a great gift!
[For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple Recommended Crafts (161–170)
A displayable, playable origami spinning top
A spinning top often played with during the New Year—how about making one out of origami? Since you fold it using multiple sheets of origami paper, it ends up looking colorful and cute, which is part of the charm.
Plus, the top you make isn’t just for decorating on the wall—you can actually spin it and play with it.
If you spin tops with friends or family, it’ll definitely liven things up.
Try folding them together and have fun.
By the way, it’s said that spinning tops during the New Year helps ward off evil spirits.
It also carries the meaning of bringing good luck.
