[For Seniors] July-Themed Origami: A Collection of Fun Ideas
July is the season for fun events like Tanabata and fireworks festivals.
Many people also think of flowers that bloom gloriously in July, such as sunflowers and Chinese lantern plants (hozuki).
As we age, our sensitivity to temperature tends to dull, making it harder to feel the heat.
Since July leads us into the height of summer, why not try some origami activities indoors where it’s cool? Creating pieces that are perfect for July is a fun way to feel the season.
Let’s keep those fingers moving and make it a helpful activity for dementia prevention, too!
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[For Seniors] July-Themed Origami: A Collection of Fun Ideas (1–10)
Flower kusudama with streamers decoration
Would you like to handcraft a “flower kusudama with streamers” out of origami—perfect for the Tanabata season? Make multiple flowers from colorful origami paper, assemble them into a sphere to create a kusudama, and then attach long, slender origami streamers to complete a vibrant decoration that sways in the breeze.
The delicate, finger-intensive work stimulates the brain simply by doing it, making it potentially effective as rehabilitation.
Once finished, you can enjoy it as a Tanabata ornament by displaying it on the wall at a facility or at home.
Spend a moment feeling the season through origami.
wind chime
Why not make a summer staple—the wind chime—out of origami and feel a touch of coolness with your eyes? Fold a round body and attach a dangling strip, and you’ll get a gentle look as if it’s swaying in the breeze.
Using translucent colors or patterned origami gives it a cool, seasonal appearance.
The simple steps are enjoyable even for seniors, and using the fingertips can naturally offer a rehabilitative effect.
Display them on a wall or by a window to create a space that quietly evokes the charm of summer.
It’s also appealing that you can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.
Give it a try!
Orihime and Hikoboshi
The origami piece “Hikoboshi and Orihime,” perfect for Tanabata, is a gentle, beginner-friendly project that seniors can enjoy as well.
Using origami paper to create the kimono and hairstyles, you can add clever touches for a cute, expressive finish.
Drawing in the facial features adds personality and makes the crafting even more fun.
Display them together with bamboo decorations, stars, and tanzaku strips to instantly enhance the Tanabata atmosphere.
With simple steps, you’ll have a heartwarming creation.
Why not enjoy the seasonal celebration at home or in a senior care facility using origami?
[For Seniors] July-Themed Origami: A Collection of Fun Ideas (11–20)
lantern
In summer, festivals are held, and some senior care facilities host summer festivals as well.
Many older adults enjoy spending time with games and recreational activities featured at these events.
Here is an introduction to making paper lanterns with origami so seniors can feel the fun of summer festivals.
You can make one with a single sheet of origami paper, and the steps aren’t too complicated, so it’s an easy project to try.
Why not make them with papers in various colors? Arrange and display a rainbow of lanterns.
Lanterns that evoke summer festivals can help older adults feel the cheerful atmosphere of the season.
sunflower
Let’s try folding an origami sunflower, which has a lively, summery feel.
There are many different origami sunflower designs.
Some make the flower with a single sheet of paper, while others use several sheets.
Using more sheets tends to produce a piece that looks closer to a real sunflower.
Although using more paper can add steps and increase the difficulty, if you enjoy origami, it’s definitely worth the challenge.
It’s also lovely to attach a stem and leaves to your finished sunflower and display it in a vase.
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.
Tanabata garland
In July, we celebrate Tanabata, don’t we? Many senior care facilities may also decorate bamboo branches and make tanzaku wish strips.
Here’s a perfect garland for Tanabata decorations.
Prepare transparent design paper and star-shaped ornaments.
These are sold at 100-yen shops, so they’re easy to get ready.
Attach the design paper to the star ornaments, or cut it into long strips with slits to make streamers.
It’s also recommended to cut the design paper into circles, attach them to a string, and connect them.
Once you string the decorations together, you’ll have a lovely garland.
The seniors will likely feel the coming of summer through these transparent, airy Tanabata decorations.