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

Simple Ehomaki

[February Craft] How to Make Ehomaki (Toilet Paper Roll, Origami) [Easy Handmade] Sushi Roll • Setsubun

During Setsubun, there’s a custom of eating a hearty ehomaki sushi roll.

In senior care facilities, they might serve smaller nori rolls instead of full-sized ehomaki.

So for a February craft activity, let’s make ehomaki.

For the seaweed part, use a toilet paper roll core.

With a toilet paper core, the roll won’t fall apart even if you pack in lots of fillings.

For the rice, use tissues to create that fluffy, rice-like texture.

Make the fillings with origami paper in colors like red, green, brown, and yellow—just like the ingredients you’d find in real ehomaki.

You’ll end up with a realistic, delicious-looking ehomaki.

As they make their rolls, older adults may enjoy chatting and sharing past Setsubun stories.

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Nakajima Junko

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Oni Horns

Craft Play: Oni Horns Made from Milk Cartons for Setsubun Crafts

One of the events in February is Setsubun.

Some of you might have grandchildren who are looking forward to it.

As an item to make Setsubun even more exciting, I’d like to introduce a craft: ogre horns.

For this, you roll construction paper into a cone to make the horns and use red yarn to create the ogre’s hair.

Wearing this will make the bean-throwing even more fun.

You can also put it on dolls or ornaments.

Try finding the perfect way to use it.

By the way, if you plan to wear it, adding a chin strap is convenient.

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yamamoto

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Heart gift box

Easy, no pattern needed! How to make a lidded heart gift box (Valentine’s) – How to Make a Heart Gift Box With a Lid

Let’s make a heart-shaped gift box that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day to express your gratitude to someone special.

The process is to shape thinly cut construction paper into a heart, glue it down, and cut it out to complete one side.

It’s important to fold back the side pieces to make them easier to attach, and to make the two hearts different sizes so the lid can close properly.

You can also add originality by choosing the overall colors and how you decorate it.

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kappamaki

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Setsubun wall decoration

Setsubun wall decoration — origami

These origami Setsubun decorations made with paper plates are perfect for February wall displays.

Cut out a circular hole in the center of the paper plate to create a donut shape as the base.

Then attach origami pieces—such as sardines, ogres (oni), and Okame masks—onto the paper plate.

Because you can place many Setsubun-themed origami parts however you like, it’s an enjoyable process for seniors as well.

The colorful origami pieces create a lively look and will help set the festive mood for Setsubun.

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Nakajima Junko

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Accordion-folded demon ornament

[Craft Idea] Setsubun Decorations: Accordion-Fold Oni (Traditional Japanese Decorations for February) (Wall Decorations) (Activities for Seniors, Occupational Therapy/OT, Daycare, Preschool) (Origami DIY)

Let’s use classic party decorations—paper fans—to make oni (ogre) ornaments perfect for Setsubun! Since we’ll create the oni with accordion folding, it’s also great for finger dexterity rehab for seniors and for helping prevent cognitive decline.

The method is simple: take two sheets of origami paper, fold them in an accordion, and connect them into a circle with double-sided tape.

Then just attach the facial parts of the oni, and you’re done! Try blue oni, red oni, and various sizes, too.

If you’re decorating a wall, adding plum blossoms or holly alongside them will create a bright, festive display.

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miyabi

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Heart Card Made with a Craft Punch

Cute Valentine’s Day card idea 🩷🩷🩷 | Handmade card

In recent years, you can find craft punches in various shapes even at 100-yen shops.

They’re very convenient when you want to make many identical pieces, since you can create parts in specific shapes with a simple punch.

In this idea, we’ll use a heart-shaped craft punch to design the front of a card.

To give it a Valentine’s feel, punch heart pieces from red, white, and pink construction paper and cover the entire front.

Finish by placing a large heart in the center, and it’s complete.

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sasashina

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Holly sprig with sardines made of origami

[Setsubun Origami] How to Fold a Hiiragi-Iwashi with Voice Commentary ☆ Origami Hiiragi Sardine Tutorial / Tatsukuri

There’s a tradition that eating sardines on Setsubun makes demons dislike the smell and run away.

For that reason, it’s said that placing a sardine skewered on holly at your front entrance keeps bad things away.

Let’s make this demon-repelling holly-and-sardine charm with origami! This time we’ll show you how to fold a sardine with strikingly big eyes and a holly sprig.

The cute motif also makes a great room decoration.

First, make the sardine’s head from origami paper.

The key is to crease firmly so your sardine looks neat.

Shape the holly as well, then simply insert the stick into the sardine to finish.

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Nanaka

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