[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 (121–130)
fabric keychain
Do you have any leftover fabric scraps from a craft activity? Here’s a fabric keychain you can make even with small, awkward pieces.
Cut the fabric into a rectangle, fold it in half twice, and sew both ends.
You can use a sewing machine, but hand sewing is fine since it’s a short seam.
Turn it right side out, push out the corners, and press with an iron.
Thread the hardware through the fabric and stitch it in place to finish.
You can use it as a keychain, or as a name tag.
It would also make a nice gift for your family.
Charm made with resin clay
Why not try making your own original charm decorations with resin clay? You can get everything you need at a 100-yen shop.
Pack resin clay into accessory findings and smooth it out so it doesn’t overflow.
After drying for about three days, remove the clay from the findings.
Add color with nail polish, or adhere fabric or decoupage paper and secure it with glue to finish.
It’s safe and easy, making it perfect for a small gift.
Since it uses fine motor skills, you can also expect some brain-training benefits.
Macaron strap made with mizuhiki (decorative cord)
Here’s an idea for making a macaron strap using mizuhiki cords with materials from a 100-yen shop.
This time, prepare pink-toned colors.
First, straighten the mizuhiki to make it easier to handle.
Trim the ends, make a small awaji knot, and then form it into a plum blossom (ume) knot.
Once the shape is set, secure it with glue.
Attach a bell and strap hardware to a head pin, layer the ume knot on top, and glue them together.
Hold down the ends and round the shape to finish.
Since it involves a lot of hand work, it should provide plenty of stimulation for the brain.
It’s recommended because you can also expect brain-training benefits.
Simple smartphone strap
Macramé is a craft where you cross and weave several cords to create patterns.
By tying and weaving the cords, you can make a variety of designs and create pieces with personal flair.
Smartphone straps made with this technique are lovely, too.
When weaving, I recommend using clips to hold the cords in place.
This technique was apparently popular in the 1970s, so some older adults may have made macramé pieces before.
As they work, it might even bring back memories from that time.
You can create many different patterns, so give it a try!
[For Seniors] Let’s Start Fun Craft Activities (131–140)
Strap made with beads
Perhaps some older adults among you have experience making bead crafts.
One of the charms of beadwork is that there are beads in many shapes and sizes, allowing for a wide variety of creations.
This time, we’ll introduce a simple strap made by threading beads onto a cord.
Let’s try making it with several types of beads that older adults prefer.
You can secure the cord, such as nylon thread or fishing line, to the table with tape, but it seems easier to work if you prepare a board and clips to hold it in place.
Once it’s finished, adding a ribbon will make it even cuter.
Rocket
We’ll show you how to make a fun rocket that soars into the air just by stacking paper cups.
All you need are two paper cups, some rubber bands, and construction paper.
First, mark four evenly spaced points on the bottom of one cup and cut slits at those marks.
Next, make rocket parts out of construction paper and decorate them with the hope that your rocket will fly high.
Link the rubber bands together and hook them into the slits on the paper cup—now you’re ready.
Stack the other paper cup over it and press it firmly down.
When you let go, the rocket will shoot out with amazing force.
It’s also fun to play a game to see whose rocket travels the farthest!
Moving fan
Hands are said to be a “second brain” because they are equipped with various sensors.
Stimuli gained by using the fingertips are transmitted to the brain, and research suggests that increased blood flow and activation in the brain can help prevent cognitive decline.
With that in mind, here is a craft idea that uses the fingers: a “moving fan.” First, cut part of a paper cup to make the propeller and the body.
Poke a hole in a plastic bottle cap, and fasten it using a toothpick, a rubber band, and some beads.
Attach it to the body, then twist the toothpick connected to the rubber band—the elasticity will make the propeller spin, completing your fan.