[For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events

Setsubun tear-off calendar

Daily tear-off calendar production (Setsubun version)

When it comes to events in February, many people probably think of Setsubun.

Setsubun brings to mind things like oni (demons), bean-throwing, and ehomaki sushi rolls.

Let’s try making a calendar suited to each season by crafting these associated items out of construction paper or cardstock.

For example, New Year’s for January, Hina dolls for March, and cherry-blossom viewing for April.

It could also be fun to have seniors imagine the season and create items based on their answers.

Recalling seasonal themes each month can serve as brain training, too.

By changing the motifs, you can make a calendar that works all year round.

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Nakajima Junko

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Heart Puzzle Cube

Here’s how to make a cube puzzle using a milk carton you have at home.

Open up the carton, divide it into three equal parts, draw your designs, and connect them with tape—done! There are only two designs, so the difficulty isn’t very high.

Both making it and playing with the finished puzzle are great brain training.

It would make a thoughtful gift to help prevent cognitive decline and would be appreciated by older adults and seniors.

Draw hearts or chocolate patterns and make it a Valentine’s Day present!

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Kawamura Mina

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Recommended for making and recreation! Demon Bowling

Bowling with cute little oni made from toilet paper rolls is a great craft that doubles as a fun recreation afterward! First, wrap origami paper around the toilet paper rolls.

Glue paper with your favorite pattern on the lower half to make the oni’s clothes.

Next, attach paper horns and yarn for hair.

You can draw the faces with a pen, too.

Make as many as you can and line them up on a table, then start the bowling game.

Roll up some paper, tape it with duct tape to make a ball, and try to knock down lots of oni!

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hiyori

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A demon made by winding yarn

Here’s a simple craft idea for making an oni (ogre) decoration.

Cut cardboard into a square and create the oni’s face.

Wrap the cut cardboard with yarn in colors you like, such as blue or red.

Attach the facial features, and your oni is complete.

You can display it on a decorative fan base for a festive look, or mount it on construction paper or colored paper for a lovely finish.

To give it a Setsubun feel, arrange holly leaves or plum blossoms around the oni to create a lively atmosphere.

It’s also fun to make several Setsubun-themed parts together with older adults.

You can prepare the parts in advance, let the seniors choose the pieces, and have them finish the work in their preferred style.

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Nakajima Junko

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Mini shikishi decorations for Setsubun from the 100-yen shop

[100-Yen Store DIY] I tried making Setsubun decorations of a red ogre and a blue ogre on a mini shikishi board♪

This is a wall decoration themed around the oni (ogres) that appear in Setsubun, a traditional Japanese seasonal event.

Why not make a seasonal decoration using items you can buy at a 100-yen shop? Create the oni’s facial parts from construction paper and attach a soft string to both sides of the assembled face.

Represent the beans using Lezac paper or colored paper, adhere them to mini square boards, then use double-sided tape to add the oni parts as decorations.

Scatter beans and other elements used in oni-chasing scenes across the boards, attach a ribbon at the top, and it’s complete.

Working on these detailed steps also helps train fine motor skills by engaging your fingertips.

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mutō

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cute demon

February wall display with a Setsubun theme: handmade paper craft “Oni”

Let’s make a “cute ogre” using colored construction paper! Cut the colored paper into the shapes of the ogre’s face and facial features like the eyes and nose, then glue them on.

The steps are simple, so it should be easy for older adults to try.

With a little creativity when making the face, you can create a cute, three-dimensional ogre face.

The steps of cutting along the shapes with scissors and attaching the facial parts with glue require dexterity with the fingertips.

Using the fingertips is said to help activate the brain.

Display the finished piece on the wall to help older adults feel the seasonal spirit of Setsubun.

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Nakajima Junko

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chopstick sleeve

[Easy Origami] Chopstick Sleeve with Heart [Valentine Easy Origami] How to make a Heart Chopstick Bag 종이접기 하트 젓가락봉투 折纸 爱心 筷子袋 #shorts

These are cute chopstick sleeves that use the color difference between the front and back of the paper to reveal a heart pattern.

It’s important to clearly picture the finished look and carefully choose the origami’s color and design.

As you create the tube that snugly wraps the chopsticks, add a small extra fold at the edge to form the heart shape.

Since there’s a step where you pull out overlapping layers, be careful to avoid creases.

Folding down the pointed tips to make them rounder is also key to clearly conveying the heart shape.

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kappamaki

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