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!
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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!
