[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft Ideas

Carp streamers made with chirimen (crepe) craft

[Stylish ✨] How to Make a Koinobori 🎏 [Indoor Decoration] Chirimen Craft

Chirimen fabric is often leftover from cutting kimonos, and these days you can even find it at 100-yen shops.

Chirimen has a refined texture that’s both soft and supple.

Here’s how to make a carp streamer (koinobori) decoration using chirimen fabric.

Draw the koinobori pattern on the back side of the chirimen, then place another piece of chirimen of the same size on top.

Pin the two pieces so they don’t shift and sew them together.

Once you’ve finished sewing, trim the excess, turn it inside out, and stuff it with cotton.

Add the head, eyes, and fins to finish.

It’s a project that sewing-loving seniors can also enjoy making.

Samurai Boy’s Day doll wreath

Easy✨ All from the 100-yen shop: How to Make a Boys’ Festival (Gogatsu Ningyo) Wreath 🎏 [Children’s Day] Wall Hanging / Hanging Decoration

Here’s a cute craft idea for a Boys’ Day (Gogatsu Ningyo) wreath.

Thread thin wire through craft pom-poms to make the wreath.

The doll parts are also made from pom-poms.

You can place an origami samurai helmet on the doll’s head as well.

Attach the finished doll to the wreath to complete it.

You can make everything with items sold at 100-yen shops, so preparation should be easy.

A wreath made of round pom-poms is irresistibly cute.

Older adults may also find themselves feeling warm-hearted as they create such an adorable piece.

Ring-decorated carp streamers

[Ring Ornament Craft Idea] Carp streamers made with paper chains! (May wall decorations) (Activities for seniors, occupational therapy, day service, preschool, DIY, origami, creative, easy)

Here’s an introduction to a project that cleverly uses lots of paper chain loops to represent the scales of a carp streamer.

It’s also a great idea for wall decorations.

Paper chains are often used for party and event decor, right? They’re usually made from strips of origami paper cut into narrow rectangles.

This time, let’s turn those chains into the scales of a koi nobori (carp streamer).

Make an extra-large loop to serve as the tail fin.

Attach the chain “scales” and the big tail fin to a carp face cut from construction paper.

That alone makes a splendid carp streamer, but try making a rotating arrow wheel (yaguruma) and streamers (fukinagashi) to go with it for even more atmosphere.

Seniors making the paper chains will likely enjoy lively conversation with those around them as they work.

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Bouquet of carnations

[Craft Idea] Carnation Bouquet (Mother’s Day in May) (Wall Decorations, Activities for the Elderly, Occupational Therapy OT, Day Service, Childcare) (Origami DIY, Original Creation)

The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day.

On Mother’s Day, we give carnations to express our everyday gratitude.

Many seniors have probably received or given carnations on Mother’s Day.

Here’s a craft idea that may bring back memories while you make it.

Crumple origami paper to create carnations.

Doing this expresses the frilly petals of a carnation.

For seniors, gripping the origami also provides a bit of hand exercise.

Make the stem and leaves from construction paper, and attach the carnation flower.

Making several carnations into a bouquet to give as a gift to the seniors’ families would be lovely, too.

Lily of the valley corsage

[No-Sew] Felt Lily of the Valley Corsage / Entrance Ceremony / School Enrollment Ceremony / DIY felt lily of the valley

A corsage is an accessory worn on clothing for celebrations and festive occasions, typically a floral ornament attached to women’s dresses or outfits.

It might be nice to attend a special day wearing a corsage you made yourself.

Older adults may feel a special sense of joy, too.

Here’s an idea for a lily-of-the-valley corsage made from felt without sewing.

You’ll roll the felt to create the lily-of-the-valley.

As you make this charming piece, it may lift the spirits of older adults and spark lively conversation with those around them.

It also looks lovely when arranged on a hat or attached to a bag.

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Art box

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

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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Doll-style towel hanger

[Easy Craft] [100-Yen DIY] Hand Towel Hanger ☆ #100yen #DAISO #DIY #100yen #handmade #kawaii #recreation #craft #elderly

Here’s a project that turns a hand towel into a cute little doll.

If the hand towel you always use at home looked like a doll, it might lift the spirits of older adults, too.

Use a foam ball to make the doll’s face, then attach craft eyes and yarn for hair.

After fixing the facial parts to a wooden clip, decorate it with ribbons and beads.

Attach a towel folded into a triangle to the wooden clip, and your doll-style towel hanger is complete.

You can make one for yourself, and it would also make a delightful gift for families of older adults.

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