Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: A Roundup of May Craft 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.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

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.

For Seniors: Enjoy Day Service. Summary of May Craft Ideas (151–160)

Kintaro tear-off daily calendar

Let's make a Kintaro tear-off daily calendar! #Children'sDay

Kintaro tear-off daily calendar

Here’s a Kintaro tear-off calendar that’s perfect for May.

Let’s make the parts for Kintaro and the carp streamers by cutting colored construction paper.

By creating templates and cutting the paper from them, you can adjust the overall balance of Kintaro and the carp streamers, which I recommend.

When making the eyes of the carp streamers, use a compass to draw evenly sized circles.

Gluing together each part of Kintaro and the carp streamers is also a good hands-on activity.

Finally, glue everything onto the base, add the number cards, and you’re done!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Koi carp streamers leaping

[Children’s Day Origami] How to fold a cute koi-nobori (carp streamer) 2 with voice commentary ☆ Origami Japanese carp streamer tutorial — decoration for the May seasonal festival

Koi carp streamers leaping

When you think of koinobori, many of you probably picture them swimming energetically across the sky.

This time, we’ll introduce an origami koinobori craft with a lively, dynamic look.

You’ll make the body and head using two sheets of origami paper.

The finished piece looks as if it’s leaping, just like a real koinobori.

Using patterned paper enhances the koinobori’s feel even more.

For older adults, making koinobori may bring back memories of Children’s Day and the Boys’ Festival.

Once finished, you can attach a stick to make a tabletop koinobori, or paste it onto a wreath for display—there are many ways to enjoy your creation.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

caterpillar

[Craft Idea] Caterpillar Craft (April/May Spring) (Wall Decoration) (Tabletop Decoration) (Activities for Seniors) (Childcare/Educational) (Easy) (Creative OT) (DIY)

caterpillar

May, with its warm climate, is a season when beautiful flowers bloom and caterpillars become active.

The pleasant weather makes you want to go out for a walk, doesn’t it? In this article, we’ll introduce a wall decoration idea featuring caterpillars that will make you feel like you’re taking a stroll outside, even while indoors.

Roll thin, long strips of construction paper into coils to make the caterpillar’s body.

You can also make the eyes and antennae from construction paper.

It’s a fun project where personality shines through depending on the shape of the eyes and where you attach the antennae! How about making and displaying dandelions and other plants alongside it? It’s sure to be an enjoyable crafting time!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Swimming carp streamers

Swimming carp streamer craft (May craft) (3D) (activities for seniors) (easy craft) (seasonal craft) (kids' craft) (creative) (childcare)

Swimming carp streamers

Perfect for May craft recreation and for finger dexterity training! Here’s a carp streamer (koinobori) that looks like it’s really swimming.

First, roll an A4 sheet of copy paper into a tube to make the body.

Decide which end will be the head, draw in the eye, and cut a V-shaped notch at the tail end.

Make scales out of origami paper and stick them onto the body, and in no time your koinobori is complete.

If you add a crease around the middle of the body, it will look like it’s billowing in the wind as if swimming.

You can also make a windsock or pinwheel to decorate, but pasting lots of koinobori onto a large sheet of drawing paper would be quite striking too.

In senior care facilities, people often enjoy lively conversations while looking at each other’s creations, so the fun continues even after the crafting is done.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

crocheted Koinobori (carp streamer)

[Crochet] How to make a carp streamer 🎏 A cute garland that fits Tsum Tsum too ♬ New Kirara Cotton, Kirameki Cotton, Seria yarn, crochet for beginners, Children's Day | crochet carp streamer

crocheted Koinobori (carp streamer)

Children’s Day on May 5, a major event in May that celebrates children’s growth, wouldn’t be complete without carp streamers.

This craft project suggests making a garland inspired by those carp streamers using crochet to give it a soft look.

The process is simple: crochet a tube with yarn, change colors partway to create a gradient, and finish it with the look of a carp streamer.

The fine, repetitive step of connecting each loop one by one also makes it a perfect finger exercise.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

koinobori bag

[Children’s Day Craft♪] Carp streamer bag made from a milk carton♪ DIY carp-shaped streamer using a milk carton♪

koinobori bag

Let’s make a carp streamer (koinobori) bag using a milk carton! It’s a craft that’s perfect for gifting to your grandchild on Children’s Day.

Prepare a milk carton with the spout cut off, remove one side, make two slits, fold it, and shape it into a box.

Next, attach the cut construction paper with double-sided tape and decorate the carton.

Using double-sided tape keeps your hands clean and makes it easy! You can also play with combinations of the base color, the face, and the tail fin colors of the koinobori.

Plus, have fun customizing the patterns of the bento cup liners used for the scales and the color of the cardboard handles for the bag!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For Seniors] Enjoy at Day Service: May Craft Ideas Roundup (161–170)

onion

[Craft Idea] Onion Crafting (May, Spring) (Senior Activities) (Early Childhood Education) (Wall Decorations) (Vegetables) (Scenery)

onion

Many older people have experience growing vegetables, don’t they? This time, we’re introducing an origami onion that will bring back those memories.

It’s very easy to make.

Crumple a sheet of copy paper into a ball, leaving a hollow space in the center.

Do the same with green origami paper—crumple it and shape it into leaves with the green side facing out.

Insert the leaves into the copy paper and glue them in place.

Finally, crumple brown origami paper and wrap it around the copy paper.

Wrap it so the white part doesn’t show, and your onion is complete.

Make two of them and tie them together with jute twine to evoke the image of onions hanging under the eaves.

It might even spark stories like, “I used to make these when I was young.” Because there are many hands-on steps, this is also recommended for finger dexterity training and as a recreational activity.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem