[For Seniors] Day service crafts: A roundup of June-themed ideas
Among the older adults who attend day service centers, there are people with a variety of physical conditions.
Many of them also look forward to recreational activities.
This time, we’re introducing “Recommended June Craft Activities for Day Service.”
We’ve gathered ideas that use classic motifs related to rain, such as hydrangeas and snails.
Doing crafts also serves as fine-motor rehabilitation, so it’s recommended for older adults.
Be sure to enjoy not only the finished product but also the process of making it.
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- For Seniors: Easy June Calendar Craft Ideas
- For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service
- [For Seniors] Enjoy and Beat the Summer Heat! July Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Have Fun Making Things Based on Today’s Mood! Today’s Recommended Craft
- Menu ideas to enjoy for a June snack activity (for seniors)
- [For Seniors] Enjoy June! Introducing Simple, Recommended Wall Decorations
- [For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Recreation: Idea Roundup
- [For Seniors] Simple Handicrafts Recommended for Finger Exercise
- [For seniors] Enjoy spring: April craft ideas
[For Seniors] Day service crafts: A roundup of June-themed ideas (61–70)
origami snail
When you think of snails, you picture the rainy season and June, right? Let’s fold cute snails out of origami and display them so that seniors can feel the season.
For the eyes, you can use a hole punch sold at 100-yen shops, stick on eye stickers, or simply draw them by hand.
Since each snail is made by folding a single sheet of origami paper, it should be fun to fold them together with seniors.
The fine finger movements involved—like making mountain and valley folds and unfolding the paper—stimulate the brain and can help prevent cognitive decline.
Making them together with others also fosters communication and expands social interaction.
Morning glory in origami kirie (paper-cut art)
This is a simple craft where you fold an origami sheet into a small shape, cut along a curved line, and then unfold it to reveal a morning glory shape.
For morning glories, the star-like form at the center is important, so the folding steps are key to making it appear well.
The fine reverse folds may seem tricky, but it’s just a repetition of straight folds—proceed by checking which line to align with each time.
Since the finished piece has a star-shaped hole, you might place white paper behind it to make the pattern stand out.
pressed-flower bookmark
Some older adults may enjoy reading books.
Pressed-flower bookmarks make perfect gifts for such people.
All you need are two pieces of cardboard, two paper towels, some rubber bands, and freshly picked flowers.
Place the petals between the paper towels and cardboard, then heat them in a 600-watt microwave for about 30 seconds.
Finally, glue the pressed flowers onto a rectangular piece of paper cut to your preferred size, and you’re done.
You can use it as a bookmark or simply display it and admire it!
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.
Paper cup craft: Rain boots
Let’s make rain boots that come in super handy on rainy days using paper cups! The steps are very simple: cut colored construction paper into two pieces—one to cover the side of the paper cup and another for the toe of the boot—then glue them onto the cup.
Add your own flair by drawing patterns with pens or by cutting the paper into thin strips and attaching them as lines.
You can attach a chenille stem to hang it as a decoration, or place flowers inside and display it! After you make it, enjoy decorating it any way you like.
Hanging raindrops
In many places, the rainy season begins in June, doesn’t it? How about a wall decoration inspired by raindrops? You can make beautiful drops just by folding and cutting origami.
The folding and cutting points might feel tricky, but it could help to go slowly and learn the steps as you check each one.
Try attaching the finished drops to a string and hanging them up! Using pale pastel-colored origami creates a dreamy atmosphere.
Some older adults find it hard to go out and may feel less in touch with the seasons.
If you make hydrangea flowers to go with the drops, it will evoke June even more, and it can help older adults experience the season as well.
Garland of Rain Clouds
This is a rain cloud garland featuring adorable raindrops falling from the clouds.
Draw outlines of clouds and raindrops on construction paper and cut along the lines.
Attach fishing line to the back of the cloud pieces with clear tape, then stick the raindrop pieces—backed with double-sided tape—onto the line.
Attach the raindrops in pairs, sandwiching the line between two pieces, and you’ll have a garland perfect for the rainy season! You can also swap the cloud and rain motifs for different ones each season to create garlands that match the time of year.