For Seniors: Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Daycare Services
In this article, we introduce March craft ideas recommended for seniors!
When it comes to March events, there are many with a cute image, like Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) and White Day.
Using lots of soft colors like pink and white in your crafts can put you in a gentle mood.
It’s the season when spring flowers begin to bloom, so let’s create a bright, festive atmosphere through crafting!
There are plenty of ideas you can use in senior day services and other elder care facilities, so please use them as a reference when making crafts together.
[For Seniors] Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Day Services (1–10)
Two types of hanging decorations with plum blossomsNEW!
How about a plum-blossom decoration that’s very simple yet instantly adds a festive touch just by displaying it? Here are two types of hanging ornaments you can make with colored construction paper.
Prepare five strips each of 2 cm × 15 cm and 2 cm × 10 cm paper.
Stack two strips, align the ends, staple them, and round them into a petal shape.
Make five of these in the same way and glue them together.
Finish by attaching a circular piece of paper in the center.
For the second type, cut two sheets of origami into circles, shape each into petals, then cut one to create a three-dimensional effect and glue them together.
Once both types of plum blossoms are finished, use string or ribbon to make them into hanging ornaments.
They sway beautifully as elegant plum-blossom decorations.
cloverNEW!
Vivid green clover makes a nice accent among colorful flowers, doesn’t it? So let’s bring a touch of spring by sticking a four-leaf clover—said to bring good luck—onto a calendar! First, fold the paper in half vertically to make a crease, then fold both sides toward that crease.
Next, fold vertically from the other direction to create a center crease.
Fold both sides in toward that crease to make a small square.
Add diagonal X-shaped creases, then open it partway to form a shape like two boats.
Following the creases, fold each corner into a square shape, make small cuts, and fold in all the corners to finish.
If you like, add drawings such as a ladybug for an extra touch.
Watercolor DandelionNEW!
When you hear “watercolor,” you might picture something difficult or a lot of preparation.
But using watercolor brush pens makes it easy to give it a try.
Here, we’ll show you a simple way to paint a dandelion, so even if you’re not confident in drawing, you can enjoy it.
With a yellow brush pen, draw several short lines.
Switch to green, then under the yellow lines, draw an oval and a stem to suggest a plump calyx.
Sketch in some rough veins, then add the leaves.
It helps to imagine arrowheads or hearts for the leaf tips.
Even small mistakes can give your illustration character.
Use a lovely watercolor to brighten up your March calendar!
Cherry blossoms in watercolorNEW!
Cherry blossoms, an essential part of spring in Japan, are a perfect motif for a March calendar.
Here we introduce an easy way to paint cherry blossoms that even beginners can handle.
Start by adding five small pink dots in the center of the flower.
Then, using a brush dipped only in water, spread each dot outward into the shape of petals.
The key is to make the center darker.
Add branches and new buds, and draw lines and pollen on the petals for detail.
It’s amazing how a little extra effort can produce such realistic cherry blossoms.
Why not brighten your March calendar with watercolor cherry blossoms that will warm your heart every time you see them?
Fan and Hina doll display
As a craft recreation activity for March, how about making a Hina display? This Hina display features a popular good-luck item—a folding fan—decorated with the Hina dolls (the Empress and Emperor).
Fold the dolls using origami, draw their faces, and add small accessories like a fan or a ritual scepter.
Make the fan by accordion-folding construction paper.
Finish by creating and attaching decorations such as pine or cherry blossoms.
The steps are simple and involve only a few folds, so it’s very easy for seniors as well.
Enjoy a pleasant time in a room adorned with your Hina display!
Wreath, three-dimensional Hina decorationNEW!
This is a decoration that conveys a sense of splendor, featuring spring motifs such as Hina dolls, peach blossoms, tachibana, and cherry blossoms.
The base is made by linking rings formed from strips of origami cut into long, narrow pieces and rolled up, and each ring is adorned with a motif to add color.
Decide what colors to use for the rings and, to match them, what colors to use for the motifs, creating the piece while considering the overall balance.
Depending on the size of the motifs, you can also make the rings stand out, so adjusting that balance is another important point.
Hanging ornaments of plum blossoms and Japanese bush warblersNEW!
As spring approaches, plum blossom and bush warbler hanging ornaments are lovely items that let you enjoy a spring atmosphere indoors.
Fold 7.5 cm square origami paper in half twice to make a triangle.
After folding so the triangle is divided into three equal parts, draw petal shapes and cut them out with scissors.
Open it up, attach patterns made with a hole punch, add slits, and you’ll have a three-dimensional plum blossom.
For the bush warbler, use four types of origami in different colors and sizes.
Draw and cut out the body, wings, and beak for each.
Once all the parts are assembled, attach them to a paper cord along with the plum blossoms, and you’re done! It’s very easy to make, so give it a try.