[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 (21–30)
5 Devilishly Good Crafts
This idea showcases five crafts: an ogre hat made from a paper bowl, ogre photo props made with paper plates, an ogre hat made from construction paper and PE tape, a sparkly pipe-cleaner ogre party hat made with construction paper, and an ogre mask made from a paper bag.
Each project has simple steps, so as long as the parts are prepared, older adults can enjoy working on them too.
They also make great decorations, adding a festive Setsubun atmosphere just by being displayed.
Glass tile coaster
You can use plain, ready-made wooden coasters or even just a simple wooden board—both are fine! Just stick glass tiles onto it and you’ve got a custom coaster.
If you have glass tiles in various colors, you can arrange them to create any pattern you like.
You can find everything you need at 100-yen shops or garden stores, and preparation is easy.
[For Seniors] Let's Start Fun Craft Activities (31–40)
Small gift envelopes made from fabric scraps
@handmade_apricot HandmadeHandmade Fabric Accessories#Utilizing Fabric ScrapsHow-to videoPochi-bukuro (small decorative envelope for gifting money)
♬ Relaxing, cute everyday BGM – Avi
Here’s a simple way to make small gift envelopes (pochibukuro) using fabric scraps.
If you use different fabrics for the front and back, the look changes dramatically when opened, which is fun; rounding the corners gives a soft, cute feel.
All you do is layer the fabrics and sew along the edges, so even beginners can finish one quickly.
The finished envelopes are perfect for New Year’s money gifts or small thank-yous.
They offer a warmth and handmade charm that paper envelopes don’t have, sure to bring a smile to the recipient.
It’s an idea that balances practicality with the joy of crafting.
flower brooch
A flower brooch made using leftover fabric scraps.
The method is very simple: cut out the bottom of a paper cup to use as the flower’s center.
Just glue the fabric scraps onto it, and you’ll have a three-dimensional flower.
Attach a safety pin to the cut-out base and stick it to the back of the finished flower, and it instantly becomes a brooch you can pin to clothing or a bag.
Even with the same method, changing the fabric’s colors and patterns creates flowers with completely different vibes.
It’s a small, cute accessory, but it has the warmth and presence that only handmade items have.
You don’t need to be good at sewing to make it, so it’s an easy project to try and also makes a nice little gift.
acorn beanbags
Modern people live surrounded by digital gadgets, and it feels like we don’t play games like beanbag juggling as much anymore.
Making beanbags with acorns could be a fun way to feel like a kid again.
Some people might even be surprisingly skilled, almost like professional jugglers! When using acorns for beanbags, start with proper prep.
First, wash them thoroughly and either boil them or freeze them to eliminate insects.
Next, sun-dry them completely.
It’s also effective to leave them for a while in a plastic bag together with a desiccant.
Scrap Fabric Christmas Card
Here’s a way to make Christmas cards using leftover fabric scraps.
Simply glue scraps cut into your favorite shapes onto a card base to enjoy three-dimensional designs like trees, wreaths, or Santa.
By combining materials such as yarn, ribbons, and stickers, you can create an even more festive and warm look.
The finished cards convey the unique warmth of handmade items and will delight the recipients.
It’s easy even for those who aren’t good at sewing, and it’s great for making use of fabric scraps you already have at home.
A fun, heartwarming handmade idea that’s perfect for the Christmas season.
Cheekful Maracas
Which country do you think maracas originated from? There are various theories, but because they’re commonly used in mambo and salsa music, they’re often said to have originated in Spain.
These days, you even see them at karaoke places, right? For some reason, karaoke gets more exciting when maracas are around! Let’s try making maracas using acorns.
If we’re making them anyway, let’s use a squirrel munching on nuts as the motif.
Just use plastic cups for the body and acorns inside to make the sound.
Once you’ve put together the basic body, you can decorate it however you like.
Make them into cheeky, adorable maracas!