[For Seniors] Easy Craft Ideas to Make at Day Service in July
In July, the heat really starts to set in.
Older adults may also spend more time indoors as a way to cope with the heat.
To enjoy the hot days of summer, we recommend indoor craft activities.
If you’re unsure what to make, try choosing crafts that match July’s events.
July features a variety of occasions, such as Tanabata and Marine Day.
For Tanabata, there are traditional decorations you can make to fully enjoy the season.
Be sure to read this article and use it to help plan July crafts for older adults.
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- For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service
- [Day Service] August Craft Ideas That Seniors Will Enjoy
- [For Seniors] A Collection of Craft Ideas Using Paper Cups
- Simple Crafts for the Elderly Recommended for Tanabata
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- [For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enhance the Tanabata Atmosphere: Ideas Compilation
- [For Senior Daycare Centers] Ideas for Summer Take-Home Crafts
[For Seniors] Easy craft ideas to make at day service in July (61–70)
Tanabata garland
Here’s an introduction to making a Tanabata garland using transparent origami or transparent design paper.
Think of the Milky Way and the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi shining in the night sky.
We’ll use store-bought star-shaped cards that evoke those stars.
Of course, you can also make your own by cutting star shapes out of thick paper.
Cut the design paper to match the star-shaped cards.
Similarly, adding pieces cut into circles or diamonds will make the decoration even lovelier.
Make streamers as well and paste them onto the star-shaped cards.
Attach all the decorative pieces to a string and connect them together to complete the garland.
This charming Tanabata craft is something older adults can also enjoy making.
Fireworks paper cutting
When you watch fireworks, many of you probably feel your daily fatigue just blow away.
The loud booms echo alongside the beautiful silhouettes floating in the night sky, giving you an indescribable sense of exhilaration.
This time, let’s express those fireworks as paper cutouts.
All you need is origami paper and scissors.
Simply fold the paper and make a few cuts to create the fireworks silhouettes.
Paste them onto construction paper, and you’ll have a lovely fireworks scene.
Hang it on the wall, and it becomes a perfect piece to enjoy the summer.
[For Seniors] Easy craft ideas to make at day service in July (71–80)
Fireworks made with ring decorations
When it comes to fireworks, they’re a hallmark of summer, aren’t they? The beauty of fireworks bursting across the night sky moves the heart in an indescribable way.
They also stimulate the brains of older adults, which can help prevent dementia.
This time, I’ll introduce a craft: a burst firework made with paper chains.
You create rings out of origami and then combine them to form a firework.
Making the rings involves fine handwork, which provides good stimulation for the brain.
Let’s enjoy the activity together—chatting about fireworks as older adults work side by side.
goldfish ornament
Here’s an idea for a summer take-home craft to make at day services: “Goldfish Decorations.” Shaping goldfish from red or orange tissue paper is great for finger movement and rehabilitation.
Place the finished pieces in clear wrapping bags and use blue or light blue cellophane to represent water for a cool, seasonal look.
Display them by a window to let the light create a summery atmosphere—your families will love them.
It’s a fun, soothing project.
Give it a try!
Swaying bamboo decorations of Orihime and Hikoboshi
“The Swaying Tanabata and Hikoboshi Bamboo Decoration” is a craft idea that lets residents enjoy the Tanabata spirit at a care facility.
Make a cooling, gently swaying mechanism by punching a hole in the bottom of a paper plate and threading a rubber band through it.
Create a starry sky on the plate by sticking on round stickers, and add star-shaped pieces made from colored construction paper.
Cut out Orihime and Hikoboshi from construction paper, color their outfits with colored cellophane, and hang them with pipe cleaners for a three-dimensional finish.
Use colored pens to freely draw faces and patterns, resulting in uniquely personal creations.
It’s a Tanabata craft filled with the joy of making and displaying.
Plump Firefly
Although we don’t see them as often these days, the night skies around July are firefly season.
When today’s seniors were children, they may have seen many more fireflies.
Some might even have fond memories, like catching them with a bamboo broom.
Here, we’ll introduce an origami firefly that’s sure to bring back those nostalgic stories.
You make the firefly and its glowing tail separately, so the glowing part really stands out.
While fireflies usually have long, slender bodies, this design uses a rounded shape to give it a cute look.
Make lots of them to decorate calendars or use as wall decor—highly recommended.
dolphin
We’d like to introduce an origami piece that looks like a dolphin leaping and swimming through the sea.
Start by making crease lines on the paper, then continue folding step by step.
As you go, it gradually takes on the shape of a dolphin, so older adults can enjoy making it as well.
The dolphin’s mouth and tail fin are also made from a single sheet of paper.
Because of that, there are some steps with finer, more detailed folds.
If the older adult is skilled at origami, they’ll likely enjoy the process.
Once finished, you can arrange it in different ways, such as turning it into a wreath or attaching it to a calendar.