[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!
- [For Seniors] Introducing Fun Crafts Made with Plastic Bottle Caps
- For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service
- For Seniors: Auspicious Handmade Zodiac Ornament Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Easy and Fun! Tsumami Zaiku Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] DIY Hand Rehabilitation Tools to Strengthen Fingertips: A Collection of Handmade Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day services! Simple and cute small craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Recreation: Idea Roundup
- [For Seniors] DIY Rehabilitation Aids: A Collection of Easy-to-Make Ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Your Alone Time: Perfect Ideas for Passing the Time
- [For Seniors] Have Fun Making Things Based on Today’s Mood! Today’s Recommended Craft
- [For Seniors] Easy Craft Activity Using Straws
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Hot Summer to the Fullest! A Collection of Easy Craft Ideas
[For Seniors] Let's Start Fun Craft Activities (21–30)
Wall decoration
A classic Christmas decoration is the “wall display.” Even without a tree, you can stick a paper-made tree on the wall and craft the ornaments from paper, making it easy to decorate freely and have fun.
It’s a perfect craft for seasonal events—something everyone can make and enjoy together.
Have a lively time creating and decorating!
origami spinning top
Did you know? You can actually make a spinning top out of origami! It really spins, so you can enjoy it even after you finish making it.
Since it uses origami—a craft that’s familiar to many older adults—it’s easy to try.
It would also be great to make one for your grandchildren or friends!
Paper plate wreath
Perfect for the Christmas season! This is a unique craft that turns a paper plate into a wreath.
First, cut out the center with scissors to make a ring.
Then, use a hole punch to make holes for threading string, and the base is done! From there, decorate it however you like with colored paper, pipe cleaners, masking tape, and colored pens to complete your original wreath.
Furoshiki Making
Add patterns to a plain one and create your own original furoshiki! All you need is a furoshiki, paper stencils in various shapes, and stamp ink.
Just follow along the stencil and dab the stamp ink to easily make it.
Since you’re using stamps, you can apply the designs without getting your hands very dirty, making it simple and convenient.
wind chime
Making wind chimes adorned with washi paper for a cool, refreshing touch also captures the season beautifully, doesn’t it? Wind chimes that tinkle with a gentle chime—hanging a bell from the eaves and letting it ring in the breeze is so elegant.
Just looking at wind chimes soothes the heart, and when they’re ones you’ve made yourself, it’s all the more moving.
Setsubun wreath made with yarn
In February, the first big event is Setsubun! To get ready for it, how about making a cute, cozy wreath using yarn? First, crumple about three tissues into a ball.
Wrap the ball with yarn in your favorite color to make a sphere.
If you want to make red or blue oni (ogres), use red or blue yarn; if you want to represent beans, use beige-toned yarn.
For the oni spheres, attach felt pieces to create the face and hair.
Make about eight spheres in the same way, arrange them in a wreath shape as you like, and glue them together with a hot glue gun.
Add decorations like plum blossoms if you like, attach a string to hang it on the wall, and you’re done.
Oni roly-poly doll
In February for Setsubun, let’s make an ogre-themed roly-poly toy.
Inflate a balloon to the size you want, then use diluted glue to stick torn pieces of shoji paper onto the surface.
Layer the paper so it’s three to five sheets thick, then brush on more glue and let it dry.
Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and drop some glue and a marble into the hollow shell to weight and fix it.
Finally, decorate it with hair and horns to make it look like an oni, and you’re done.
It takes time to dry, so it’s nice that you can enjoy the process at a relaxed pace.
