[For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas
With the end of the rainy season, July brings the heat and the full feeling of summer.
It becomes difficult to do outdoor activities like taking walks.
This time, we’re introducing craft ideas perfect for summer that you can enjoy indoors.
We’ve gathered many projects that add vibrant summer colors or create a cool, refreshing atmosphere.
Craft activities are very popular among older adults, and using the fingers provides brain-training benefits.
Displaying the finished pieces at home or in a facility also gives a sense of accomplishment.
Let’s help older adults enjoy summer with wonderful creations.
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- [For Seniors] August Wall Decoration Idea Collection
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- [For Care Facilities] Let’s Enjoy the Summer! A Collection of Wall Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Small craft ideas: for yourself and as gifts!
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[For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas (181–190)
shooting star decoration
Let’s make shooting star decorations and have everyone make wishes for Tanabata! Cut star shapes out of construction paper and attach several colors of raffia ribbon to create a shooting star.
If you stick small star-shaped pieces onto the raffia ribbon, it will sparkle even more—highly recommended.
On the paper star itself, write your wishes or draw and paste pictures of Orihime and Hikoboshi to decorate.
You can use the finished piece as a wall decoration, or attach a string and hang it on bamboo.
milk carton lantern
Why not try making a lantern by reusing milk cartons, a familiar material for crafts? It’s a simple project, so it’s also recommended as a craft activity for day service programs leading up to summer festivals! Cut the milk carton and draw any patterns you like with pens or markers.
Next, make lots of slits, roll it into a cylinder, and staple the top and bottom in two places—and you’re done! Punch a hole at the top and thread a string through it to enjoy it as a hanging decoration.
You can even place an LED light inside the lantern! It’s the perfect craft to get everyone into the festival spirit.
3D star wall decoration
Decorate with three-dimensional stars and brighten up Tanabata! Use origami or construction paper to make 3D stars.
Thread string through the stars to create a garland that can be used as a wall decoration.
You can also hang them from the ceiling like sports day flags—highly recommended.
Make lots in various colors and you’ll have a galaxy of stars just like the Milky Way.
It might be nice to create them in different sizes, too.
Make them while sending your wishes to the stars.
[For Seniors] Have Fun Beating the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas (191–200)
A simple three-dimensional morning glory
This is a morning glory made from a single sheet of origami, cleverly using reverse folds and other techniques to create a three-dimensional, soft appearance.
Not only does it look good from the front, but the base is also shaped solidly like a real flower, making it easy to incorporate into decorations.
You cut the edge of the folded paper, then unfold it and fold it again while making use of the white on the back.
Because there are many fine reverse folds, the whole piece tends to wrinkle, but intentionally adding wrinkles is also recommended to achieve a softer-looking morning glory.
Easy crepes with paper plates
Here’s a cute crepe craft idea using a paper plate.
First, take a paper plate that’s been colored yellow on the back side, roll it up with the white side inside so it looks like crepe batter, and glue it in place.
Then attach a circular piece of origami paper cut to about half the plate’s size on top to create the wrapper/holder section.
After that, decorate it with cotton, felt balls, and paper fruits made from construction paper, and your delicious-looking crepe is ready.
You can’t eat this one, but that’s exactly why you can go all out on appearances and pile on as many toppings as you like.
Try decorating with summer fruits and have fun!
Orihime and Hikoboshi wall decoration
One of the most popular events in July is Tanabata! It’s a wonderfully romantic day when Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet just once a year.
Many venues also hold Tanabata events in July.
Here’s a wall decoration idea that’s perfect for seasonal displays and craft activities leading up to events.
Try creating it with a focus on Orihime and Hikoboshi’s distinctive hairstyles and clothing! Cutting out each part and pasting them together uses the fingertips extensively, which can help improve cognitive function in older adults.
When displaying it on the wall, it’s also nice to decorate it together with the Milky Way, bamboo decorations, and tanzaku with written wishes!
balloon goldfish
How about making a traditional origami balloon goldfish as a summer decoration? It’s great as an accent for your room’s interior or as a hanging ornament.
There aren’t any particularly difficult folds, so even seniors can try it with ease.
By blowing air into it at the end, it becomes three-dimensional and looks adorable! Since origami uses your fingers, it’s also perfect for finger dexterity training for seniors and for helping prevent cognitive decline.
You can add round stickers for the eyes, and using gradient or patterned origami paper would look lovely too!