[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 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] Have Fun Beating the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas (191–200)
uchiwa (Japanese hand fan)
What comes to mind when you hear “uchiwa” (Japanese hand fan)? If you like paintings, you might think of Seiki Kuroda’s famous work Lakeside.
The woman standing by the lake holding an uchiwa was always featured in art textbooks.
So, why not make a lovely uchiwa to get through the hot summer? All you need are the fan ribs, washi paper, and glue to attach it.
Here’s the process: cut the paper to fit the ribs, draw your favorite design, and glue it onto the frame.
Because it’s handmade, you’ll feel attached to it.
There are also videos for making cute mini uchiwa uploaded on video sites, so please use those as a reference too.
Glass tile coaster
With clear blue skies and breezes passing through, summer evokes a refreshing image, doesn’t it? How about making coasters that emphasize that fresh feeling by using translucent glass tiles? It might make staying hydrated—a must in summer—feel more fun and accessible.
Since glass tiles are often square, we recommend arranging them on square-cut cork sheets.
It could also be interesting to experiment with color combinations and see how the overall impression changes.
watermelon lantern
When it comes to fruits that symbolize summer, watermelon surely comes to mind.
Its vivid red and green look also boosts that feeling of summer.
Here’s a craft that fuses an essential summer watermelon with the lanterns that brighten summer festivals.
The key is layering green construction paper over red, so that the red peeks through from inside the green, evoking a watermelon.
Make slits in the green paper and shape it so the inner red shows through.
If you add black stripes and black seeds, it will look even more like a watermelon.
Roll the paper into a cylinder with a hollow center, attach a handle, and your lantern is complete.
Placing a light inside is also recommended.
basket
Let’s try making a basket using a paper cup and paper twine.
The look, reminiscent of woven plant vines, gives off a fresh and gentle summer vibe.
The steps are simple: attach the paper twine to the paper cup, cut the cup to a suitable height, and add a handle to finish.
Paying attention to small details helps create a three-dimensional look—such as tucking one length of twine inside the rim or braiding the handle with a three-strand plait.
You can use it to hold small items, or place softly crumpled paper inside and enjoy it as interior decor.
PET bottle aquarium
An aquarium where sea creatures live is a place filled with the fun and excitement of summer, isn’t it? This craft project recreates that summery aquarium feeling inside a plastic bottle.
It’s simple: put water in a plastic bottle and add sea-creature motifs.
By paying attention to decorating the bottle and the motifs you place inside, you can create a lively atmosphere that really conveys the feel of an aquarium.
It’s also important to move the bottle so it looks like the creatures are swimming inside.
The action of squeezing the bottle not only animates the scene but also helps with hand exercise and overall health.
Tanabata tanzaku (wishing strip for the Star Festival)
Tanzaku for Tanabata where you write various wishes.
It’s common to write on rectangular pieces of origami paper, but how about changing the shape a little or adding decorations to make your tanzaku a bit different? For example, you could make a star-shaped cutout in part of the tanzaku, combine it with stars folded or cut from origami, or pair it with tissue paper or raffia tape.
There are many ways to arrange it, so create a lovely tanzaku that suits your taste!
[For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas (201–210)
windsock garland
Speaking of major events in July, Tanabata is probably the first that comes to mind.
It’s an event with a fresh, breezy feel, evoking images of brightly shining stars and gently flowing rivers.
How about making a garland that pairs star motifs with streamers to heighten the Tanabata mood? You can create three-dimensional star motifs by adding creases, then attach streamers made from tissue paper.
If you use colors from the same palette for both the stars and the streamers to create a sense of unity, it will result in an even more beautiful appearance.