[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas
May is a lovely season of fresh green leaves, isn’t it?
Here are some easy craft ideas perfect for day-service activities in May.
May is full of events like Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.We’ve gathered craft ideas that tie in with those occasions.
Many of the projects introduced here can be taken home and displayed, so you can enjoy looking at them at home.
They also make great gifts for your grandchildren.
Some can even be used for a garden tea party or a stroll, so be sure to give them a try.
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- [For Seniors] Celebrate Children's Day: Make Your Own Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
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- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for May: A Roundup of Ideas That Get Everyone Engaged
- [For Seniors] May Calendar Craft: Fun and Easy
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- [For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!
- [For Seniors] Brimming with June’s seasonal charm: A roundup of fun craft ideas
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[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: Summary of May Craft Ideas (71–80)
Pinwheel made from a clear file
May, known as the early summer season, is when temperatures start to rise and the breeze feels fresh and invigorating.
This activity guides you in making a pinwheel from a clear plastic file so you can really feel that May wind.
Cut the clear file into a square, make slits, then bring each corner toward the center to form four aligned tubes.
Use a wire and a straw for the axle and handle to complete it.
Test how it spins in the wind and adjust the shape as needed.
If you use a patterned clear file, the design will show through nicely, letting you express your own style by the one you choose.
Standing Kintarō
Kintaro, the folk tale character, has a strong image of power, which makes him perfect for the Children’s Day theme of wishing for growth.
This piece is about recreating Kintaro with origami, paying attention to creases and the shapes of each part to build a three-dimensional figure.
Use skin-toned origami paper for the base, and be mindful of the angles of the folds so it can stand on its own.
Then add decoration: use red origami for the body parts based on a triangle, and black origami for the face part shaped like a square pouch.
Since the body and face are made separately, it’s important to keep an eye on the size balance as you work.
Swimming carp streamer
How about making an authentic koinobori for Children’s Day in May? It would surely be a delightful gift for your grandchild as well.
The way koinobori swim in the breeze is refreshing and striking, isn’t it? Displaying a koinobori at home is sure to strengthen family bonds even more.
What we’re introducing this time is a way to make a genuine-looking koinobori from just a single sheet of construction paper.
The scales look so realistic that you might mistake it for the real thing.
The appeal is that you can easily create the scale effect simply by folding the paper and making a few slits.
Koinobori (carp streamer) made from a paper bag
Let’s decorate a paper bag and make a koi-nobori (carp streamer) bag.
Any kind of paper bag will work—store-bought or ones you have on hand.
Use shiny or patterned origami paper to create scales for the koi’s body.
You can also use shapes stamped with patterns for the tail fin or the scales.
Stick on eyes made from construction paper, and it’s complete.
Try making lots and decorating a wall with them.
It’s also a great idea to put a gift inside the koi-nobori bag and give it to your grandchild.
Ladybugs and clover
May brings refreshing weather.
In parks and fields, the fresh green is beautiful and insects become active.
We want older adults, who often spend time indoors, to feel the season too.
So here are ideas for a ladybug and clover wall decoration that evokes May.
We’ll make ladybugs and clovers with origami.
Add round spots to the ladybugs and cut the origami to form clover shapes.
Red and yellow are great, but making ladybugs in various colors would also be lovely.
Creating them together with older adults uses the fingertips, so it could also provide brain-training benefits.
white clover
White clover is a familiar plant that blooms along roadsides and other everyday places.
Though simple, the clusters of tiny white blossoms look as delicate and beautiful as lace.
Let’s try expressing that white clover on a wall! First, prepare some origami paper and cut and fold it to make petals.
The key is to add a curve to each petal.
Layer them together to form a single flower.
For the leaves, cut heart shapes and combine them to create a four-leaf clover.
Since white clover is said to bring good luck, displaying it in your room might boost your fortune.
strawberry
When you think of fruits that signal the arrival of spring, many people probably picture strawberries.
Beloved for their sweet-and-tart flavor, strawberries are a favorite for many.
This time, let’s make strawberries as wall decorations! Prepare red construction paper and make small cuts with scissors to create a realistic strawberry texture.
To make it even more vibrant, it’s a great idea to add leaves and flowers as accents.
Displaying them in your room will look stylish and create such a realistic feel that you might find yourself wanting to go strawberry picking.