[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities
In January, we have the longstanding Japanese traditional event, the New Year’s celebration.
Many day service centers and welfare facilities likely put a lot of effort into decorations themed around January, the start of a new year.
So this time, we’ll introduce January crafts recommended for day service programs.
It’s still quite chilly, so let’s enjoy craft activities you can do indoors!
Even after the New Year’s holidays, winter-themed decorations like snow motifs and plum blossoms can stay up and be enjoyed as they are.
In addition to decorations, we’ve assembled many works that are perfect for January.
There are lots of ideas, including auspicious items, practical pieces, and projects that incorporate creative twists in the materials.
By all means, use these January craft ideas as a reference.
- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas: Boost Your Luck with New Year Decorations and Good-Luck Charms
- [For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January
- For Seniors: Auspicious Handmade Zodiac Ornament Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day services! Simple and cute small craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended Origami for January
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple, Recommended Crafts
- Lucky Daruma: Craft ideas for decorating January wall displays for seniors
- For seniors: Snowman crafts to brighten January wall displays—fun ideas using origami, paper plates, and papercutting.
- [For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games
- [For Seniors] Craft Ideas Recommended for New Year’s and the New Year
- [For Seniors] Perfect for winter events! Easy craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Decorate your January wall with rabbits! Packed with ideas like snowball fights, New Year’s festivities, and rice cake pounding
[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas to Make at Day Service (101–110)
Fukuwarai wall decoration of a rabbit daruma
We’d love to make a rabbit daruma “fukuwarai” to wish for a year full of smiles.
Fukuwarai is a New Year’s game—some of you might have played it as children.
The goofy faces that result from placing parts while blindfolded always get a laugh.
This wall decoration is a fukuwarai-themed rabbit daruma.
Crafting the rabbit’s parts out of construction paper takes a bit of delicate work.
Since rabbits have such a cute image, you’ll probably find yourself smiling as you make it.
It’s recommended to display it in your room or by the entrance as a charm for good luck.
Easy DIY: Ema with Traditional Japanese Patterns
This craft strongly conveys that ema are part of Japanese culture by using thick paper as a base and decorating the edges with Japanese-patterned origami.
Cut the thick paper into the shape of an ema, then wrap and paste Japanese-patterned origami around the border.
Leave the center white to write a wish, and finish by attaching illustrations—such as the zodiac animals—prepared separately from the backing.
In addition to origami, it’s recommended to prepare various Japanese-style patterns using masking tape and more, so participants can enjoy choosing their favorite combinations.
New Year’s origami
Let’s try folding a daruma doll using a single sheet of origami paper! The steps are simple, but you’ll end up with a cute daruma.
Once it’s done, draw the face with a pen or use round stickers—try different expressions and enjoy customizing it! Origami is said to stimulate and activate the brain by using your fingertips and thinking through the next steps.
It’s also easy to do while chatting with others, which helps spark social interaction.
Please make use of origami daruma to create a delightful time for older adults.
New Year’s decoration chopstick rest
As a table-coordination item to welcome the New Year on a pleasant note, we recommend lucky chopstick rests made from origami! Origami is also effective for finger rehabilitation for seniors, so why not give it a try? You can make one chopstick rest from a single sheet of origami paper.
This design combines a fan and a crane: first create the fan portion, then fold the crane.
Because the chopstick rest itself is small, the folds become finer as you go, which may feel a bit challenging.
The final design places the crane at the center of the fan, so it can be used not only as a chopstick rest but also as a decorative accent for New Year’s festivities.
Good Fortune Crane
How about making an “ofukuwake crane” that’s perfect for gifting sweets or small items? It’s considered lucky, so why not enjoy trying it at the start of the year! Up to a certain point, the steps are the same as folding a traditional paper crane, so if you’ve made one before, you should find this easy.
The design features an open back on the crane, so pack the sweets or small items into that space beforehand.
Finally, punch holes at the tips of the wings, thread a ribbon through, and tie it over the crane’s back for an elegant finish! Have fun arranging it with different patterned origami papers.
[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas to Make at Day Service (111–120)
koma
Let us introduce a spinning top made from origami—perfect for New Year’s activities at day-service centers or for making together with your grandchildren! With just three sheets of origami paper, you can create a colorful and cool top.
The key is to fold carefully while making crisp creases.
Make the parts with each sheet of paper and assemble them at the end.
No glue or scissors are needed, so anyone can give it a try with ease! You can also combine patterned or glitter origami to enjoy a different look.
Shimenawa wreath decoration
Let’s use paper cord from the 100-yen shop to make a shimenawa wreath decoration! Unlike store-bought items, it will have a handmade feel that you’ll grow attached to.
Spread out the paper cords to form a bundle and twist it clockwise, then twist that bundle counterclockwise.
Next, prepare another length twisted clockwise and wrap it around the first bundle.
Finally, shape it into a wreath and you’re done! Add plum blossoms, mizuhiki cords, folding fans, and more to create a wreath brimming with originality.