[For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas

sunflower wall decoration

[Elderly Recreation] Sunflower Wall Decoration [Easy]

Sunflowers are one of the flowers that symbolize summer, aren’t they? Seeing sunflowers blooming on a hot day can make you feel energized.

Let’s make a wall decoration with a sunflower motif.

Using crinkled crepe sheets to create the sunflowers gives the piece a nice textured look.

Fold and cut the crepe sheets to make the sunflower petals.

We’ll form the center by crumpling tissue paper, and here’s a fun method: put the crumpled tissue paper into a plastic bottle cap for the center, or press the tissue crumpled with the cap.

This leaves a round imprint on the tissue, adding a nice accent to the sunflower’s center.

Glue the sunflower onto a backing sheet, place it on a stand made from a disposable chopstick, and it’s complete.

It’s a lovely piece that seniors can take home and display in their homes.

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Nakajima Junko

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Fireworks Milk Carton Fan

Let’s have fun making it with the scratch technique: A milk carton fan

On hot summer days, many older adults have probably fanned themselves with a hand fan.

Here’s a perfect summer craft idea: a handmade uchiwa (Japanese fan).

Using an empty milk carton, you can make a sturdy fan.

Cut the milk carton into a circle and tape a chopstick to the outer (printed) side to serve as the handle.

Then cut another circular piece from a milk carton and attach it on top with the white side facing outward.

Draw fireworks on a round piece of construction paper, stick it onto the fan, and you’re done.

The fireworks motif enhances the summery feel and will help older adults enjoy the sense of the season.

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Nakajima Junko

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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.

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Nakajima Junko

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Pseudo stained glass

Angel Land Fukui: Let's Make a Faux Stained Glass

Let’s make a cool and refreshing faux stained glass.

Real stained glass uses glass, but for our faux version we’ll use aluminum foil and a photo frame.

First, draw your favorite picture in color on the transparent film of the photo frame.

On the backing board side of the frame, spread out a piece of crumpled aluminum foil and attach it.

Place your drawing on the backing, fit everything into the frame, and you’ll have a sparkling, beautiful piece that looks like stained glass! The aluminum foil creates that shimmering stained-glass vibe.

Try drawing a summery picture and give it a go!

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SAKI

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Washi Paper Aquarium

Solved the problem of guppies only swimming near the top of the tank!

When you think of refreshing summer imagery, water motifs are essential, right? Let’s try making an aquarium themed around creatures that live in the water.

It’s a simple process: arrange sand and artificial flowers in a jar, add figures shaped like aquatic creatures, pour in a special oil, and seal the lid.

If you craft the creatures from washi paper, the softness of the material adds a gentle feel and a sense of dimension—highly recommended.

Pay attention to the design and balance of what you place and where, and create your own unique aquarium.

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kappamaki

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Goldfish Herbarium

[Goldfish Herbarium] A refreshing herbarium featuring red goldfish.

We also recommend a cool-looking goldfish herbarium that helps ease the summer heat.

A herbarium is an item made by filling a glass container with a special oil and placing plants inside.

Many people have probably seen the type with flowers in a tall, narrow bottle.

This time, the idea is to treat the oil as if it were water, put aquatic plants in the bottle, and add goldfish stickers.

It’s fun to mull over which goldfish to use, too.

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yamamoto

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potted morning glory

(Paper Flower) Cute! How to make a morning glory flower with origami [DIY]

Here’s an introduction to making a realistic potted morning glory using origami and craft wire.

The finished piece can be displayed in a facility or in a senior’s room! When seniors see a piece they worked hard on displayed in their room, they may grow more attached to the facility.

Through this morning glory craft, we hope they’ll feel lively and positive each day.

Of course, gifting the finished piece is wonderful as well.

There are a few fine details involved, but with staff support, please have fun making it together.

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Nakajima Junko

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