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

Papercut CarnationNEW!

[Origami] Paper-Cut Flowers (29) Carnation 🌸 carnation origami

This is a papercutting craft to make a carnation.

First, place the origami paper face down with a corner toward you, and fold it into a triangle twice.

Open it once, then fold both sides upward at an angle using the center as the axis, and fold it in half again, aligning the center carefully.

Draw a papercutting pattern on the origami, and carefully cut it out with pinking shears or similar scissors.

Adding slits and patterns will give the petals a three-dimensional look and movement.

When you finally unfold it, it will take on a fluffy carnation shape, which you can display as is or enjoy by attaching it to a card.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kepiko

Report a problem

Chirimen craft: Koinobori (carp streamers)

Wakomon TV Crafts: Children's Day Koinobori – How to Make a 'Carp Decoration' for Boys' Festival #046 • Easy Chirimen Crafts, Temari, Oshie, and Japanese Accessories

Because of its distinctive texture, chirimen fabric strongly evokes a traditional Japanese atmosphere.

This piece uses that Japanese-feeling fabric to make a koi nobori (carp streamer), clearly emphasizing that it’s a Japanese event.

The key point is the scale pattern; using it well gives the koi nobori a luxurious look.

Layering various fabrics to add volume further enhances the splendor when they’re displayed together.

It also seems fun to think about what shapes would best bring out the qualities of chirimen.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

A large koi-shaped streamer made of cardboard and origami

[A Giant Koinobori Made with Cardboard and Colored Paper] The highlight of this month's day service event is making a gigantic koinobori using cardboard and colored paper (^_-)-☆ (Shōwa Wago-kai Social Welfare Corporation)

A large carp streamer made by combining cardboard and colored paper—the key is how the layered colors convey a fun atmosphere.

The trick is to cut the colored paper into scale shapes; since you’ll deliberately mix the colors, use the uniform shape to create a cohesive look.

Paste those scale pieces onto cardboard cut into the shape of a carp streamer, attach the facial parts, and it’s done.

Incorporating patterned origami paper will make it even more colorful and lively, so that’s recommended as well.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

Thread-Strung Koinobori

[Origami Activity] How to Make a Thread-Wrapped Koinobori Using Toilet Paper Rolls: Senior Recreation and After-School Day Service

Let’s explore May festivities with a craft idea that incorporates string wrapping, which gives kids plenty of finger practice.

Paste origami—folded once along one edge—onto a squashed toilet paper roll.

Fold the edge so the white side shows, and attach it along one of the openings of the roll.

This part will be the head, so cut the opposite end into a triangle.

With just that, the carp streamer shape is complete.

Add round stickers for the face, then make slits at the top and bottom of the body.

Wrap string through these slits to represent the scales.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Koinobori chopstick sleeveNEW!

[Origami] Chopstick Holder Koinobori (Carp Streamer) with Voice Commentary [Senior Recreation] Origami [Stay-at-Home Time]

This is a craft for making koi-nobori chopstick sleeves that you can gently incorporate into everyday life.

Stack white and gold origami together for the sleeve, slightly offset, and fold them as one.

Aim to have just a hint of the gold peeking out from the white.

Fold the koi-nobori using one quarter of a 7.5 cm square sheet of origami.

Fold the black carp, the red carp, and the baby carp, and make the pole from origami as well, then attach them to the chopstick sleeve.

It’s very detailed work, so it helps improve finger dexterity and concentration, making it great for dementia prevention too.

It’s an idea that makes not only the crafting time but also mealtime enjoyable.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

moko

Report a problem

Hanging decorations for Children’s Day

[Simple ✨ All from the 100-yen shop] Children's Day hanging decorations 🎏 [Tango no Sekku] Carp streamers, samurai doll, kashiwa mochi, and iris flowers ✨ assorted set!

This is a hanging decoration for Children’s Day made with items from a 100-yen shop.

We’ll make four kinds of ornaments, and I’ll explain them in order.

First is the carp streamer.

Cut a felt rectangle, snip the tail into a V shape, then attach felt scales and an eye—done.

Next is the kashiwa-mochi.

Just stick a white pom-pom and a leaf-shaped piece of felt together with double-sided tape.

For the iris flower, thread four small pom-poms onto a string and add another pom-pom in the center to finish.

For the May doll, thread two pom-poms and an origami samurai helmet onto a string, attach an origami armor piece, and add decorative stickers for the face to complete it.

The prep and steps are easy, and they look adorable, so they’re fun to make.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Colorful windmill

Have fun crafting with an origami pinwheel! A simple and colorful way to make one (How to DIY a Simple and Colorful Origami Pinwheel: A Fun Paper Craft)

Let me introduce a spinning pinwheel that’s perfect for the refreshing winds of May.

We’ll make the pinwheel’s blades using two sheets of origami paper.

It’s recommended that one sheet have a pattern or design.

Glue the two sheets together at the center, draw lines between opposite corners, and make small cuts along those lines.

Place a square piece of origami at the center, then glue down the cut corner sections to form the blades.

Wrap a bamboo skewer with washi-pattern origami to make the stick, and attach the pinwheel.

Some older adults may remember making pinwheels when they were children.

Talking about memories of playing with pinwheels as kids might spark a lively conversation.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem