Lovely senior life

For Seniors: Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Daycare Services

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Certified Care Worker / Former Day Service StaffAbe Eri
I worked at a day service for seven years and obtained my Certified Care Worker qualification in 2019. I have provided meal assistance and bathing assistance, as well as led recreational activities that involve physical movement and cognitive stimulation. I enjoy drawing and crafting. My motto is: “With a smile, anything is possible!” and I try to live joyfully every day. I’m also doting on my beloved Chihuahua.

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! 10 Recommended March Craft Ideas for Day Service (181–190)

Paper lantern with origami

How to make a paper lantern: origami for Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day) and the Hina dolls

Paper lantern with origami

No Hina Doll display is complete without bonbori lanterns.

They’re an essential decoration that even appears right at the start of the children’s song “Ureshii Hinamatsuri.” In the past, bonbori were reportedly used as lighting at weddings held at night in Japan.

This time, let’s fold bonbori out of origami that gently illuminate the faces of the Emperor and Empress dolls.

The steps aren’t complicated, making it an easy project for older adults as well.

For the flame part of the bonbori, try using your favorite origami in bright or soft colors.

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[For Seniors] Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Day Service (191–200)

Plum Blossoms Made with Origami

[Origami] Easy way to fold a plum blossom. Perfect for New Year’s, Setsubun, and spring decorations in January and February [Origami World]

Plum Blossoms Made with Origami

Plum blossoms are one of the flowers that are at their best in March.

Let’s try folding an origami plum so we can enjoy the feeling of the season.

Since plum blossoms have five petals, fold the origami paper and cut it to make a pentagon.

Then fold it into the shape of plum petals and use scissors to refine the form.

There are some intricate steps, but for seniors who enjoy origami, it’s a very rewarding project.

If any seniors find it difficult, please support them by folding together, and so on.

The finished piece has many uses—you can attach it to a wreath or display it on the wall.

By the way, cherry and peach blossoms, which bloom around the same time, also have five petals, so you can adapt this plum origami to make those as well.

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Peach blossom in origami

[Origami] How to Make a 3D Peach Blossom

Peach blossom in origami

Here’s an introduction to folding a “three-dimensional peach blossom” that looks lovely displayed on a wall or attached to a wreath.

The finished piece recreates a realistic peach blossom.

While it may seem complicated, it’s made by simply creating five individual petals and assembling them.

It’s a project that older adults may also find approachable.

Origami is a recreational activity you can enjoy while chatting with those around you.

Try folding together with older adults who may find it difficult, and enjoy the conversation as you go.

These three-dimensional peach blossoms are soothing both to make and to display.

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Origami Peach Blossom Wreath

[Origami] Lots of cute flowers: How to fold a peach blossom wreath | Easy origami flowers

Origami Peach Blossom Wreath

This is a “peach blossom wreath” made with origami, recommended as a wall decoration for March.

It’s a bright wreath that celebrates Girls’ Day (Hinamatsuri), so it may inspire even seniors to want to make one.

The wreath base is also folded from origami.

Make seven simple base pieces and combine them into a wreath shape.

For the peach blossoms, crease the origami, fold it into shape, and assemble.

Adding a center to each blossom makes it look even more like a real peach flower.

Attach the finished blossoms to the wreath to complete it.

Origami is a seated activity that lets you enjoy conversation with those around you.

Please have fun while you create it.

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Spring wildflowers

[Spring] How to Make Spring Flowers and Plants [Wall Decorations]

Spring wildflowers

Let’s create a spring-themed floral mural to bring a touch of spring to your room.

You can easily make it using colored paper sold at 100-yen shops.

Since the sheets are large as-is, cut them into quarter size, and even into quarters again if needed.

For clovers, fold the paper into eighths, draw the lines, and cut along them to finish.

For five-petal flowers like cherry blossoms or pansies, you can fold at about two-thirds of the edge to get a nice shape.

Alternatively, make a six-petal flower first, then cut a slit and overlap the petals to turn it into a five-petal flower for a more three-dimensional look.

Finally, use a large sheet of colored construction paper as the base and attach the flowers and leaves you’ve made to complete your mural.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Cherry Blossoms in the Moonlit Night

[Craft Idea] Cherry Blossoms on a Moonlit Night (April Wall Decoration) (Senior Recreation, Day Service, Occupational Therapy OT, Childcare) (Origami, 3D, DIY, Group Craft Activity) (Cherry Blossom Buds)

Cherry Blossoms in the Moonlit Night

Cherry blossoms at night have a different kind of beauty from those seen during the day, don’t they? In daylight, the blossoms look delicately charming with their cute pink petals.

But under moonlight or illumination, they give off a more mature atmosphere.

Here’s a perfect wall decoration idea featuring night-time cherry blossoms for seniors who love yozakura.

Choose darker construction paper for the background of the cherry trees and blossoms, and add a moon to create a night-sakura scene.

As they make the blossoms, seniors will likely feel the arrival of spring.

Looking at the finished piece, they may appreciate the beauty of night cherry blossoms and even reminisce about their past cherry blossom memories.

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Hanging decoration of peach blossoms

[Origami] Hanging Peach Blossom Decoration – Hinamatsuri

Hanging decoration of peach blossoms

Here’s an idea for a hanging decoration that showcases the beautiful shades of peach blossoms.

Why not make items to decorate for Hinamatsuri or to brighten the walls and doors of senior care facilities? Fold pink origami or tissue paper and make small cuts with scissors to create petal shapes.

Once you’ve made each part in the same size, attach them to a string for the hanging decoration.

Finally, add flower details with round stickers, and your peach blossom hanging decoration is complete.

It’s also recommended to use floral-patterned paper or display cherry blossoms together.

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