Handmade ideas for Tanabata decorations: from classic ornaments to creative variations
On July 7, we hang tanzaku strips and Tanabata decorations on bamboo, right?
Streamers, net ornaments, and paper lanterns are the classics, aren’t they?
There are many other kinds of decorations too, and each one has its own meaning.
In this article, we’ll share some ideas for Tanabata decorations.
Along with the classics, there are arranged twists on the standards and cute decorations inspired by foods, so feel free to use these as references and try making them.
Most of these ideas can be made with origami, so it’s also a great activity to do with your children!
Handmade ideas for Tanabata decorations: from classic ornaments to creative variations (1–10)
Star Linking
Star ornaments that evoke the summer night sky are sure to brighten up the Tanabata season.
Their three-dimensional designs and cute finishes will definitely boost the excitement for the event.
Each one can be made from a single sheet of origami paper, making materials easy to prepare, and the neat results make them perfect for children’s crafts.
Use various colors of origami or chiyogami to decorate your room—this is a craft that lets you feel not only Tanabata but the essence of summer itself.
a thousand paper cranes
Speaking of senbazuru, they’re best known for being given to wish for someone’s recovery from illness, but they’re also often displayed at Tanabata with hopes for the family’s health and longevity.
Here, we’ll introduce a way to fold cranes suitable for senbazuru.
It follows the basic crane folds except for not spreading the wings at the end, and it also shares ideas that let you skip some steps and tips to keep the crane looking neat even while still folded.
Folding a thousand cranes is a lot of work, so feel free to use this as a reference to make your cranes efficiently while filling them with your wishes.
a large windsock
Why not try making a large, eye-catching windsock to hang up? When it comes to Tanabata, people think of bamboo decorations, but even if you can’t get bamboo, just hanging this windsock by the front door will let you feel the Tanabata spirit.
The base of the windsock is a sphere made by cutting an empty tissue box into strips and linking them together.
Hang rings made from empty boxes in the same way from that base, then tie on strings threaded through paper cranes and let them dangle.
Attach one more ring below each crane and stick on bands made from wrapping paper.
Finally, add tissue-paper flowers to cover the base, and you’re done.
Milky Way of watermelons
Watermelon, a fruit kids love, is the quintessential taste of summer.
Decorations that combine watermelon with the Milky Way make the perfect room accents for Tanabata.
Beyond the standard design, changing the colors or sizes will surely add a festive touch to the season.
With few steps involved, it’s easy enough for children to make—as long as they handle scissors carefully—so it’s highly recommended.
It’s a summery decoration you can enjoy not only in kindergartens and daycare centers but also at home.
Give it a try!
round crochet ornament
Let’s try making a cute round paper ornament! First, prepare a circle cut from origami paper.
Fold it about three times with the colored side facing inward to make a slice-of-cake shape.
Next, draw alternating lines from the left and right, and cut along those lines.
Be careful not to cut all the way through except at the center area—make slits instead so the pieces stay connected.
Once you’ve finished cutting, unfold the paper, apply glue at three points—the outermost ring and two spots along the central crease—stick them together, and then spread it open to finish! Attach a string, and you can hang it on a Tanabata bamboo branch, too!
paper ball
Paper balls, which look cute and are fun to customize with decorations, are perfect for Tanabata room decor.
Since you don’t need to use scissors much, they’re relatively easy even for young children to try.
The position and width of the glue can be a bit precise to get the shape right, but the work itself isn’t difficult, so if adults provide a little support while letting the child finish it themselves, it can become something they feel proud of.
Attach a string and hang them up to create a dreamy, quintessentially Tanabata atmosphere in your room.
drawstring pouch
Many of you have probably written wishes on tanzaku strips and hung them on bamboo leaves.
Besides tanzaku, there are other decorations hung on bamboo, and each one actually has its own meaning.
The drawstring pouch (kinchaku) is said to bring good fortune for money-related wishes, such as luck with finances and savings.
It’s easy to make with origami using simple steps, so let’s try it.
Fold a sheet of origami paper into quarters, then cut it so you get two pouch shapes in any style you like.
Take another sheet of origami in a color or pattern different from the pouch, fold it into pleats, and glue it around one of the pouch pieces to frame it.
The pleats make it look pretty when displayed.
Put tissue paper or cotton inside the pouch, then glue on the second pouch piece to finish.
paper lantern
Decorative lanterns made with origami or chiyogami paper can brighten up a room as Tanabata decorations.
Because you can make them with materials from 100-yen shops, they’re easy to try not only in kindergartens and daycares but also at home.
Plus, using LEDs lets you create a mystical glow like real lanterns, which is a nice touch.
However, since there are many small, detailed steps and times when a craft knife is used, please make sure an adult provides close supervision when small children are involved.
diamond ornament
The classic Tanabata decoration, the diamond-shaped ornament.
It has a delicate shape, but once you learn the steps, you can make a lovely decoration with origami.
The key is to use origami paper that has colors or patterns on both sides.
Of course, regular origami paper works too, but double-sided colored or patterned paper gives a more beautiful finish.
To make it, fold the origami paper into a triangle twice, then open it once.
Using the creases from the triangle, draw several cut lines.
Where you make the cuts takes some thought and affects the design, so be careful when drawing the lines.
Cut along the lines, open it up, and fold down from the outermost cuts—this will create a diamond-shaped ornament.
Adding star decorations will enhance the Tanabata atmosphere even more.
Shell ornament
Since July includes Tanabata, it also marks the opening of the beach season and the start of swimming in the sea.
So let’s make a shell decoration for Tanabata that evokes the summer ocean.
With a little creativity, you can use origami to make a cute, shell-like piece.
Fold the origami paper in half, then make several cuts, leaving about 2 cm uncut at the edge.
Open the folded paper and glue only one corner along a diagonal so the corners overlap.
The cut sections will form an accordion shape, making it look like a spiral shell.
For a Tanabata touch, try using star-stamped origami paper or adding stickers.
You can make them in various colors, and connecting several shells together also creates a lovely decoration.