[For Seniors] Let’s Start a Fun Craft Activity
In elderly care facilities and day service centers, craft-based recreation is essential.
Because it involves fine motor movements, it helps with rehabilitation and stimulates the brain.
In this article, we’ve gathered easy and enjoyable craft ideas that older adults can make with minimal effort.
Even those who have never done crafts and lack confidence will find it easy to get started.
Most materials are things you already have at home or can quickly pick up at a dollar store.
If you’re interested in crafts, give them a try!
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[For Seniors] Let’s Start Fun Craft Activities (81–90)
Simple lampshade
Doesn’t having small wooden items or furniture in a room help you feel at ease? You can sense the warmth and coziness of wood, too.
Here’s a simple lampshade you can make using disposable chopsticks.
Glue four chopsticks together to form a square.
Make several of these parts and stack and glue them together.
You’ll end up with a wooden lampshade with a charming, handcrafted look.
Because the method is simple, older adults may also find it easy to focus on making.
Place an LED light—available at 100-yen shops—inside the shade to beautifully accent your room.
boat
Let’s try making a boat using disposable chopsticks.
We’ll craft not only the hull but also the sail from chopsticks.
In addition to chopsticks, we’ll use wood glue and a hot glue gun.
These are sold at 100-yen shops, so they’re easy to prepare.
Cut and glue the chopsticks to match your boat sketch.
Once finished, it will look just like a real boat.
Because it involves a lot of finger work, it may stimulate the brain and help prevent dementia.
You can take your finished piece home and display it in your room.
Even older adults are likely to be captivated by the high-quality chopstick boat they made themselves.
potted plant decoration
There are probably some seniors who grow houseplants at home, right? Here’s a planter cover you can make from wooden chopsticks that will hold a pot indoors.
Arrange and glue the chopsticks together to form a shape large enough to fit your pot.
If the chopsticks shift while gluing, the piece will tilt.
The key is to mark the glue points in advance.
You can also deliberately offset them to enjoy a diagonal design—this makes for an interesting piece.
Having a wooden planter cover indoors can create a stylish atmosphere.
treasure chest
A “treasure chest” made with popsicle sticks and interior adhesive sheets is an easy craft that even older adults can enjoy.
First, cut the sheet into your preferred shapes and attach the popsicle sticks.
If you stick them onto a wooden window frame from a 100-yen shop and paint it, it will have the look of a real wooden treasure chest.
Add stickers and decorative parts at the end, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, original treasure chest.
The process uses your fingertips, making it a good workout for the brain, and once it’s finished, you can enjoy using it as a small storage box or as a display piece.
Give it a try!
treasure chest
A “treasure chest” made with popsicle sticks and interior adhesive sheets is an easy craft that even older adults can enjoy.
First, cut the sheet into your preferred shapes and attach the popsicle sticks.
If you stick them onto a wooden window frame from a 100-yen shop and paint it, it will have the look of a real wooden treasure chest.
Add stickers and decorative parts at the end, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, original treasure chest.
The process uses your fingertips, making it a good workout for the brain, and once it’s finished, you can enjoy using it as a small storage box or as a display piece.
Give it a try!
10-yen game
Here’s a 10-yen coin game where you aim for the circle marks and drop in 10-yen coins.
Glue ice pop sticks cut to different lengths onto a board to create paths for the coins to travel.
Add character illustrations and stick on circle and X markers.
After covering and protecting it with a clear case from above, cut the ice pop sticks to build the pinball-style launcher section.
Fine adjustments will make the gameplay even more fun.
Try making it with your favorite characters and enjoy!
[For Seniors] Let's Start Fun Craft Activities (91–100)
Trick Savings Box
These trick piggy banks are fun to look at, but the real delight is the moment you put the money in.
Each one is simple to make, yet highly functional and full of playful charm.
The bank with the red flag lets you enjoy watching the coin spin as it goes in.
On the one with the flower illustration, lifting the door at the top sends the coin sliding inside like it’s on a slide.
There’s also a bank where the coin rolls down along a wall made from ice cream sticks.
They’re all wonderfully appealing, so be sure to try making them yourself!