Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Crafts to Make in March! Recommended Project Ideas

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.

March is full of delightful motifs like peach and cherry blossoms, as well as fun events such as Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).

In this article, we’ll introduce craft ideas recommended for seniors to enjoy in March! By mainly using soft colors like pink, white, and pale green for origami and construction paper, you can create bright, cheerful pieces—making both the crafting process and the finished display exciting.

When making origami crafts, adding patterned paper can change the atmosphere and give your work a unique touch! Feel free to use these ideas as references in care facilities such as day service centers.

[For Seniors] Crafts You’ll Want to Make in March! Recommended Project Ideas (121–130)

Hina-doll wreath

[Hinamatsuri] Origami wreath [Easy] [March craft] [Hina dolls] [Daycare] [Kindergarten]

Hina-doll wreath

Let’s make a Hina doll wreath—an origami wreath.

You might think making a wreath sounds difficult, but for this one, both the wreath base and the Emperor and Empress dolls are made with just three folds each.

The three folds are simple and easy to do, making this a project that’s approachable for seniors.

Since origami involves using your fingertips, it’s also recommended as brain training for older adults.

Many senior care facilities incorporate origami, too.

The steps are simple, but the finished piece brightens the Peach Festival and evokes the feeling of spring.

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Art box

How to Make an Art Box (Monthly Day, January 2022 issue) #dayservice #daycare #outpatientrehab #nursingcare #seniors #crafts #recycledmaterials

Art box

Here’s an art box you can enjoy with colorful patterns when placed by a window or in sunlight.

Slice an empty milk carton into rings about 2 centimeters thick and turn them inside out.

Attach tissue paper to one cut edge on one side.

Cut several strips of origami paper, fold or bend them into shapes you like, and glue the tips in place.

Fill the milk carton box with lots of the shaped origami pieces.

Finish by attaching tissue paper to the milk carton’s cut edge.

The fine work of folding origami uses your fingers a lot, so it may also be effective as brain training.

Please place it near a window at the homes of older adults and use it as a decoration.

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Japanese bush warbler

[Made with One Sheet of Origami] Easy and Cute Bush Warbler (Facing Left) Folding Tutorial ◇ Origami Japanese Bush Warbler — Spring Little Bird, Uguisu ◇

Japanese bush warbler

When you hear the call “hoo-hokekyo,” it makes you think, “Spring is here,” doesn’t it? The Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) is familiar to many people, including seniors, as a bird that heralds spring.

So let’s try making a calendar with an uguisu motif.

You could use origami or a coloring-page design—either works nicely.

It’s also a great idea to add plum or peach blossoms.

There’s even a traditional auspicious expression, ‘ume ni uguisu’ (plum blossoms with a bush warbler).

Plum blossoms and the bush warbler are a well-matched pair, and because the two together symbolize harmony, the phrase is used to represent good fortune.

Incorporating this combination into your calendar’s layout would likely result in a lovely piece.

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Gerbera

[Easy] How to Make Gerberas [No Sewing] DIY Felt Gerbera Flowers and Bouquet

Gerbera

The gerbera, with its striking shape that looks like tiny petals spreading out, gives a sense of softness and cuteness thanks to its unique appearance.

This craft recreates gerbera flowers using felt and arranges them to look like a bouquet.

You cut slits into circular felt pieces, shape them into petals, and layer them to form the gerbera.

If you assemble and attach them around a central piece, it creates a more three-dimensional look, which is highly recommended.

Finally, attach the felt gerberas to a sponge base and fill any gaps with leaves or other parts to complete the piece.

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For seniors: Crafts you’ll want to make in March! Recommended project ideas (131–140)

Hina dolls in clear pockets

[Hinamatsuri Craft] Easy with Clear Pockets! How to Make Hina Dolls [Ashitaba Channel]

Hina dolls in clear pockets

These are soft, cute Hina dolls made with clear pockets and tissue paper.

You can enjoy the finished pieces even after making them by displaying them in seniors’ rooms and more.

Crumple tissue paper in colors inspired by the Emperor (odairi-sama) and Empress (ohina-sama), roll it into balls, and place it into clear pockets to form the bodies.

Since you use your hands and fingertips, it can help stimulate the brain.

Attach a face drawn on construction paper to the body you just made to complete the doll.

Prepare a decorated paper plate or backing, paste the dolls on, and hang it on the wall.

With a little creativity—like making it into a wreath—it becomes a lovely interior decoration or display piece.

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Let’s draw cherry blossoms with a straw

[Using only a straw] Let’s draw cherry blossoms♪ Just stamp them—simple and cute

Let's draw cherry blossoms with a straw

Starting around late March, there are regions where cherry blossoms begin to bloom, right? Many older adults may also associate cherry blossoms with spring.

Let’s make an easy cherry blossom craft using straws.

Cut slits into the tip of a straw to divide it into five sections.

The five split tips will look like cherry blossom petals.

Apply pink paint to the five-sectioned tip.

If you dab the straw onto a backing sheet, it will look like cherry blossoms are blooming.

If you use colored paper as the backing, it becomes a lovely wall decoration.

Or you could press the straw like a cherry blossom stamp onto a postcard to create your own card.

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Hina dolls made with jelly cups

Hinamatsuri Craft: Easy Jelly Cup Hina Dolls – How to Make Dolls for the Doll’s Festival

Hina dolls made with jelly cups

These hina dolls made with jelly cups are highly recommended for a Hinamatsuri craft at day service centers.

To make them, stuff a jelly cup with tissue paper to form the body, then add a face and crown made from construction paper and decorate with origami to resemble a kimono.

The overall look changes dramatically depending on the tissue paper colors and origami patterns, so have fun customizing your own version.

Placing the dolls on a handmade stand will make them look even more festive, so give it a try if you have the time!

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