[For Seniors] Recommended Origami for January
Origami involves fine hand movements and is expected to stimulate the brain, so it’s a recreational activity that’s great to include for dementia prevention.
Another nice thing about origami is that it’s easy to enjoy and can be done together with grandchildren and family.
Here, we’ll introduce ways to fold and make origami—especially ideas you can enjoy in January.
Create items perfect for January events with origami, and enjoy them together while feeling the season.
There are plenty of ideas you can also apply to January wall decorations.
- [For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January
- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas: Boost Your Luck with New Year Decorations and Good-Luck Charms
- [For Seniors] Easy Origami Recommended for Winter
- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities
- [For Seniors] Try Making Your Own Kadomatsu! A roundup of ideas using origami, felt, and yarn
- Lucky Daruma: Craft ideas for decorating January wall displays for seniors
- Easy origami that delights the elderly. Enjoy a heart-lifting time with seasonal origami.
- For Seniors: Auspicious Handmade Zodiac Ornament Craft Ideas
- For seniors: Snowman crafts to brighten January wall displays—fun ideas using origami, paper plates, and papercutting.
- [For Seniors] Craft Ideas Recommended for New Year’s and the New Year
- Recommended Origami for Seniors: Fun December Theme
- [Recreation] Summary of Recommended Origami Ideas for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Heartwarming and Cozy: Perfect Wall Decoration Ideas for Winter in Care Facilities
[For Seniors] Recommended Origami for January (1–10)
Daruma
As we welcome the New Year, how about making a Daruma origami, a beloved good-luck charm? Using your hands stimulates the brain and is said to help prevent dementia.
Origami is easy to enjoy, so it’s also recommended to do it together with your family or grandchildren.
Using red paper will create an even more festive atmosphere.
Once you’re done, display it in your room to enhance the New Year mood.
If you’re unsure about any steps, it’s fun to discuss and figure them out together as you fold.
Why not fold with care, filling it with your wishes for the New Year?
plum
With vivid colors like red, pink, and white, plum blossoms add a splash of brightness to the cold winter months when moods can tend to dip.
Origami plum blossoms are also great as a New Year’s decoration accent! Why not give them a try? The key to making a plum blossom is to start by folding a perfect pentagon.
Crafting this pentagon cleanly is the trick.
Finally, make small cuts with scissors to form the plum petals.
Adding a yellow round sticker to the center will give it a realistic look!
Easy! Sea bream
Why not make a sea bream (tai), a familiar symbol of good luck for the New Year, out of origami? It’s sure to lift your spirits for celebrating the new year, and the vibrant red will give you an extra boost of energy! The trick is to make firm creases first and then proceed with the folds.
Since there aren’t many steps, it’s easy for anyone to enjoy—from seniors to children.
Finish by adding the fish’s eye, scales, and fin patterns, and you’re done! It can also be used as a wall decoration, so it’s a great choice for activities in senior care facilities.
[For Seniors] Recommended Origami for January (11–20)
battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)
Making a battledore with origami is a very fun craft.
It’s exciting to choose colorful paper and come up with your favorite designs.
The detailed work engages your hands and stimulates your brain.
It’s also wonderful that you can deepen connections with others by figuring out the folding steps together and showing each other your finished pieces.
The joy you feel when it’s complete is exceptional.
How about creating battledores in various colors and patterns while sensing the changing seasons? It’s also recommended to enjoy it together with your grandchildren or family.
lion dance
How about everyone having fun making lion dance origami together? Using brightly colored paper and working with your hands is soothing.
The cutting and pasting also helps stimulate the brain.
The finished lion dance pieces will brighten up your room as unique decorations.
If you make them with your grandchildren or family, it becomes a chance for intergenerational connection.
Let’s build the New Year spirit while enjoying the fun of creating together.
Why not spend a lovely time bringing in the seasonal atmosphere with origami?
Snowflake of Flowers
We would like to introduce the idea of “Flower Snow Crystals,” which combine the gentleness of flowers with the beauty of crystals.
This is a three-dimensional craft made with origami.
Layering small parts to complete the piece helps improve concentration, exercises the fingertips, and provides positive stimulation for the brain.
It’s easy for older adults to try, and the sense of achievement and joy upon completion is another appeal.
You can enjoy combining colors, display it as is, or adapt it for wall decorations to brighten up your room’s interior.
It’s a recommended craft you can enjoy making at a calm, leisurely pace.
Zodiac animals
Let’s try making a dragon—the only mythical animal in the zodiac—out of origami! Dragons are characterized by their long whiskers and impressive horns.
Since these parts require fine work, it might be a good idea to cut and prepare them in advance.
For the face and body, there are steps where you open up folds, so the key is to make crisp crease lines.
Once you draw the eyes and facial patterns with a pen or brush, it’s complete! We also recommend turning it into a wallpaper together with a kadomatsu.
Decorate with this dragon and celebrate the New Year!
