[For Seniors] Early-summer-themed wall decorations: Recommended ideas for July

Strip with mesh

[Craft Idea] Tanzaku with Net – a strip of paper ~Tanabata~ (July) (Tanabata tanzaku) (Senior recreation) (Easy craft) (Craft activity) (Early childhood education) (Daycare/Hospital) (Psychiatric OT)

Tanabata, one of the major events in July.

In senior care homes and welfare facilities, many hold Tanabata events or decorate the interiors, don’t they? Tanabata is also a day when people attach wish slips to bamboo.

Let’s add a creative touch to those tanzaku by making slits that form a mesh pattern.

There is originally a net-shaped decoration for Tanabata, and as the name suggests, it carries the wish for an abundant catch of fish.

Fold down the top of the tanzaku paper, then make many cuts.

When you unfold it, you’ll have a mesh-like pattern.

If you like, you can also make Hikoboshi and Orihime and place them alongside the mesh of the tanzaku.

As they make these, some older adults may recall past Tanabata memories.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)

[Craft Idea] Cherries – Cherry Crafts (June/Summer) (Wall Decorations) (Senior Activities) (Early Childhood Education) (Origami) (Fruit) (Creative) (OT)

Cherries are in season from the rainy season through mid-July.

Why not make a wall decoration with a wish that delicious cherries will grow again this year—and that we’ll get to eat them? It’s easy to make.

Roll red origami paper into balls for the fruit, roll green origami paper into thin strips for the vines, and cut out leaves with scissors.

Finally, glue everything together and you’re done.

If you also make a tree out of construction paper and attach the cherries and leaves, you’ll have an impressive wall decoration.

After enjoying it as a decoration, you can also use it for a cherry-picking game, so it’s highly recommended.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Marigold

[Craft Idea] Marigold (June–July, Summer) (Wall Decorations, Senior Recreation, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service) (Origami, Origami DIY) (3D, Flower Crafts)

Even in the rainy season, marigolds bloom in bright yellow and orange, producing beautiful flowers from early summer through autumn.

Let’s make marigold flowers.

By folding and cutting origami paper, you can create marigold petals.

First, roll the origami into a ball and crumple it to give the petals more texture.

Make several petals and layer them.

This will capture the marigold’s characteristic multiple layers of petals.

Make some leaves as well and display them together with the marigold flowers.

A room with marigolds feels brighter, creating a cheerful piece that can lift the spirits of older adults.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

festival

Speaking of July events, summer festivals come to mind, don’t they? Festivals are traditional events that have been loved since ancient times, so they’re a familiar theme for seniors as well! If you want to express the festival atmosphere on a wall display, a yagura tower and lanterns are essential.

You can also decorate with items that liven up festivals—like goldfish, morning glories, and fireworks—to create a lively wall.

Silhouettes of people dancing or carrying a mikoshi portable shrine would look wonderful, too!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

Milky Way

Tanabata on July 7 has long been cherished as one of summer’s seasonal events.

One of the best-known motifs associated with Tanabata is the Milky Way.

The Milky Way refers to the luminous band formed by countless stars across the night sky, and it becomes easier to see around this time of year.

If you incorporate the Milky Way as a motif when creating wall decorations, you can instantly evoke the atmosphere of a summer night sky.

Adding related motifs—such as Orihime and Hikoboshi or the Summer Triangle—will make the display even more vibrant and festive.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

sea

Ocean-themed wall decorations let people relive the fun of playing at the beach in their childhood.

Incorporating reminiscence therapy, where older adults recall and talk about past memories, is also effective for dementia prevention! Decorating the wall with construction paper or origami is lovely, but as a twist, how about mosaic art that reuses plastic bottle caps? Staff can create it steadily on their own, or you can make it together during a day-service craft activity while chatting with seniors about their memories of the sea!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

Authentic morning glory made with five sheets of origami

[Origami] How to make a morning glory / How to make origami 'Morning Glory'.

Let’s make a beautiful three-dimensional morning glory! You’ll use five sheets of origami to create one bloom, so the difficulty may be a bit high.

Make five parts, then assemble and glue them together.

To prevent the glue from coming off, it’s a good idea to hold the pieces in place with clips or clothespins as you work.

For the finishing touch, slightly fold the rim to give the morning glory a 3D look.

You can also change the size of the sheets to make morning glories in different sizes—give it a try!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem