[For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Recommended Origami for February
How about enjoying origami indoors, where it’s warm, in February when the chill still lingers?
Many senior facilities incorporate origami into their recreational activities.
The process of folding—using your fingertips for mountain and valley folds—helps train fine motor skills.
Also, thinking through the folding steps, changing orientation for the next move, and similar mental tasks stimulate the brain and can help prevent cognitive decline.
Finished pieces can be displayed around the facility or in one’s own room for visual enjoyment.
Origami is an activity that provides a sense of accomplishment when completed.
With origami themed around February, enjoy a pleasant time while feeling the season.
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[For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Recommended Origami for February (21–30)
Peach Blossom Wreath
Here is a cute wreath of peach blossoms made with origami.
Both the wreath base and the peach blossoms are created by assembling individual parts.
Because many of the steps are simple, it should be accessible for many older adults.
With origami, you think ahead to the next steps and the finished piece, so it’s said to have brain-training benefits.
What’s more, the fingers are sometimes called the “second brain” because their nerves are closely connected to the brain.
Using your fingertips can stimulate and activate the brain.
Please consider using this peach blossom wreath activity for recreation.
Heart with a ribbon
February 14 is Valentine’s Day.
Some senior and care facilities may also hold Valentine’s Day events, don’t you think? These loving events often involve giving chocolates or sweets as presents.
Let’s make a ribbon-topped origami heart to add a festive touch to such occasions.
Prepare a rectangular sheet of origami paper by cutting a square sheet in half.
Make the creases and proceed with the folding.
There are some detailed steps, such as holding the paper down with one finger while folding with another.
This fine finger work helps stimulate the brain, but if the difficulty is high, staff should provide support.
The cute design of a heart with a ribbon on top is sure to delight older adults.
flower box
Some seniors may be quite skilled at origami, don’t you think? Origami has its own unique folds as well as more complex techniques.
By combining these folds, you can create delicate and beautiful works.
Here’s a slightly challenging project that’s perfect for seniors who enjoy origami: a cute flower box.
Fold the paper so that, when cut, it forms a pentagon.
From there, the steps get a bit more complex as you fold it into a box.
Of course, staff can support and make it together with seniors.
It’s an ideal project for February’s cold days, to enjoy carefully crafting origami in a warm indoor setting.
maneki-neko (beckoning cat)
Do you know what day February 22 is? The date lines up with three twos, and thanks to a wordplay reading, it’s known as Cat Day.
The number 2 can be read as “nyan,” like a cat’s meow, which is how the anniversary was established.
On this day, many cat-themed events and campaigns are held.
Today, we’re introducing an origami project perfect for February: a lucky beckoning cat (maneki-neko).
While white maneki-neko are common, it could be fun to make them in various colors.
If you add an origami cushion or a small gold coin alongside the maneki-neko, it will look even more charming.
How about folding them together with older adults while chatting about cat trivia?
Cat and a Kotatsu
On cold days, you just want to tuck yourself into a kotatsu and get warm, don’t you? This time of year also brings to mind the image of cats curling up under the kotatsu.
Let’s recreate that scene with origami.
Use your favorite papers—such as traditional Japanese patterns or polka dots—to make the kotatsu.
Then fold a cat and some tangerines to place on top of the table.
Assemble all the parts by gluing them together to finish.
Some older adults may even feel the season through this cat-and-kotatsu craft.
It’s also fun to arrange the pieces by mounting them on a backing sheet or attaching them to a calendar.
Otafuku Box
In February, we have Setsubun, right? Speaking of Setsubun, there’s also the custom of throwing beans.
I’d like to introduce a recommended origami that can double as a masu (a small wooden box) for holding the beans.
It’s a fun piece where the lid looks like an okame (smiling woman) face.
Prepare one sheet of black origami paper and fold it so that the black side becomes the hair and the white back side becomes the face.
It’s an interesting folding method that lets you create both the hair and the face from a single sheet, so older adults can enjoy making it too.
Fold the box body from origami paper in any color you like.
Have an older adult draw the okame face to finish it.
Besides holding beans, it could also be used for candy or snacks.
Please try using it in various ways.
Gobbling Ogre
In February, many senior care facilities likely hold Setsubun events and recreation activities.
In addition to throwing beans, people will surely enjoy games unique to Setsubun.
Here, we’ll introduce origami for an oni (ogre) and an ehomaki sushi roll that are perfect for Setsubun-themed recreation.
We’ll fold the oni and the ehomaki separately.
Please have people nearby help with the slightly tricky parts.
By combining them—such as an oni eating an ehomaki, or an oni riding on a giant ehomaki—you can create amusing pieces with different styles.
These works can also be used for wreaths or wall decorations.