Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!

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.
Physical Therapist / WriterKawamura Mina
From a physical therapist to a writer, driven by the desire to travel the world with just a laptop. I’ve traveled to over 20 countries. I hope to deliver writing that many people are glad to have discovered. Thank you in advance.

Origami is a popular recreational activity in senior care facilities.

Finger exercises are effective for stimulating the brain, and displaying completed pieces or feeling a sense of accomplishment adds to the enjoyment.

May is a month filled with events, such as Children’s Day and Mother’s Day.

So this time, we’ll introduce origami with a May theme.

Origami that activates both the fingers and the brain while feeling the season—and offers a sense of achievement—can be considered an ideal recreation for older adults.

By all means, try making May-themed origami together with the older adults around you.

[For Seniors] Introducing origami themed for May! (71–80)

A large carp streamer wall display

[Wall Decoration] May Dynamic Carp Streamers [Activities for the Elderly] Carp streamer

A large carp streamer wall display

Let’s make a large wall decoration of a koi-nobori (carp streamer) using chiyogami with traditional Japanese patterns.

We’ll create each scale of the carp using two sheets—one plain origami sheet and one chiyogami sheet.

Since the koi-nobori is big, the scales will be on the larger side as well.

It might be nice to have seniors make the scales one by one; while seated, they can work on the scales and naturally enjoy conversations with others during the process.

Use a large sheet of paper to create the body of the carp and attach the scales.

Make the carp’s face and tail fin too, and display it on the wall.

You could also try making a female carp and child carps in the same way.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Dandelion wreath

Introducing how to make a three-dimensional dandelion wreath decoration with origami! Why not try making it as a spring decoration for April and May? [Tsukuru-mon]

Dandelion wreath

Spring is the season when the weather warms and many flowers begin to appear, and you’ll likely spot more dandelions as well.

This craft recreates dandelions—a quintessential spring flower—using origami and combines them into a wreath-like shape.

To make the dandelion flowers, fold a strip of origami paper in half and then fold it again to make it narrower, cut fine slits along the edge, roll it up, then spread and shape it.

The wreath base is made by assembling triangular units, and it’s recommended to use green to evoke leaves.

Finally, combine all the parts and add decorative elements like leaf pieces to complete the project.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Cactus and flowers

[Origami] How to fold a cute cactus and flower – easy origami flower

Cactus and flowers

A cactus characterized by prickly spines.

Cacti also bloom in a variety of colors, such as red, yellow, and white.

It varies by species, but they mainly flower from early spring to around summer.

Some older adults may also be growing cacti at home.

Let’s make a potted, flowering cactus out of origami that you can display at home.

Fold along the creases you’ve made to create the pot.

Use accordion folds to add creases, shape, and form the cactus.

Fold a triangle three times, cut off the excess, and make the cactus flower.

Put all the parts together to finish.

Real cacti have flowers in many different colors.

With your origami piece, try making the flowers in whatever colors you like.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For Seniors] Introducing May-Themed Origami! (81–90)

Nemophila

[Origami] Easy and Cute Nemophila Folding Method ◇ Origami Nemophila Flower — Spring Blue Flower ◇

Nemophila

Nemophila, with its gentle blue blossoms and petite size, brings a soft touch to spring, doesn’t it? This piece shows how to recreate nemophila flowers with origami and make them more striking by combining multiple pieces.

Fold the paper finely toward the center, then layer and assemble the five resulting petals to form a nemophila bloom.

To add depth, try small tweaks during assembly—offset the layers slightly or fold the edges a little toward the front.

Lining up different colors to create a gradient also looks lovely.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Wreath of daffodils and roses

[Origami] Daffodil and Rose Wreath

Wreath of daffodils and roses

Daffodils bloom until early spring, and roses bloom around late spring, so even though their seasons are offset, both can be said to be representative spring flowers.

This is a simple yet dimensional wreath with a glamorous look that combines daffodils and roses.

Another key point is that the wreath base and stem parts are kept flat, which helps emphasize the three-dimensionality of the daffodil and rose blossoms.

For each flower, it’s important to deliberately add fine creases, cuts, and bends, and to shape them carefully so that a sense of depth and volume comes through.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Kabuto Wreath

[Children's Day Origami] How to Make a Kabuto (Samurai Helmet) Wreath with Voice Commentary ☆ Origami Helmet Wreath Tutorial

Kabuto Wreath

May 5th is Children’s Day! So let’s make a kabuto (samurai helmet) wreath.

First, fold four kabuto helmets.

The folding method is a classic one that’s widely known: fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold the left and right corners up to meet at the top.

Once you’ve folded the kabuto, make the joints to connect them.

For the joints, use origami paper cut into four equal parts.

Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold the left and right corners up to meet the top corner to create crease lines.

Open the paper completely, then fold the top and bottom corners in to meet the center line.

Flip the paper over, fold the right corner so it sits about 1 cm inside the nearest vertical crease, then flip the paper over again and fold inward along the crease.

Fold the paper in half along the horizontal center line, and then collapse it along the creases to form a small triangle—your joint is complete! Make four of these as well, and connect all the kabuto to form a wreath.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

bamboo shoot

How to fold an origami bamboo shoot – easy! Spring

bamboo shoot

Speaking of spring, it’s the season when bamboo shoots are delicious.

So how about making a bamboo shoot with origami? In this idea, you’ll use two sheets of origami paper of the same size.

Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold the left and right corners inward so that the bottom edge is divided into thirds.

Tuck the right corner into the left corner to complete one part.

Fold the other sheet the same way and insert it into the first part.

Gently pull the inner piece up a little and turn the whole thing over.

Then, fold just the top left and right corners of the inner piece slightly to the back.

It’s simple, and with that, your bamboo shoot is complete!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem