[For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!
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.
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- Simple origami that can be folded from a single sheet
[For Seniors] Introducing Origami Inspired by May! (41–50)
Bouquet of carnations
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.
Popup card
Let me introduce a hydrangea popup card with a beautifully unfolding flower when you open it.
Prepare seven sheets of origami paper, trim them into small squares, and fold each one into a triangle three times.
Gently round the top edge with your scissors as you cut.
When you open it, it will form a flower shape; cut off just one petal, apply glue, and overlap the edges to adhere it into a cone-like flower.
Fold the finished flowers flat and glue them back-to-back to create the popup mechanism.
Attach them to construction paper along with some leaves, and you’ll have a lovely hydrangea popup card that opens softly.
It makes a delightful message card or birthday card that recipients are sure to enjoy.
Papercut Hydrangea
Let’s try making a hydrangea artwork using the kirie (paper-cutting) technique, in which you cut out shapes from a single sheet of paper.
We’ll fold origami, cut it out, and create hydrangeas.
You’ll skillfully use your hands, moving the scissors while holding the origami, which also helps stimulate the brain.
Kirie is also said to boost concentration and imagination as you focus on creating.
You’ll likely feel a sense of accomplishment from making a beautiful hydrangea piece yourself.
One of kirie’s charms is that the design changes depending on how you cut and fold.
Besides hydrangeas, enjoy making a variety of designs and have a wonderful time.
Azaleas and butterflies
Azaleas, which bloom in vivid pinks and purples, are at their best from mid-April to mid-May.
As a May wall decoration idea, how about making azaleas and butterflies? Let’s fold azaleas using red and pink origami.
First, make crease lines and use them as guides as you fold.
While the paper is still folded, cut it with scissors into the shape of petals.
Then use the scissors to round and shape the cut petals.
For the butterflies, using washi-patterned origami will really make them stand out.
Butterflies fluttering over a brightly colored field of azaleas is sure to lift the spirits of anyone who sees it.
Please use this as a reference!
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.
Koinobori made with paper cores
Here’s a cute carp streamer craft using paper tubes.
When you finish a roll of toilet paper or kitchen paper, you’re left with the cardboard core.
These cores are often made of thick paper, and their cylindrical shape is perfect for crafting.
Cover the tube with origami paper in colors like red or blue, then cut the tail fin.
Use round stickers to make eyes and scales and attach them.
You can stick the finished piece on the wall, or take it a step further: punch a hole, insert a disposable chopstick, and it will stand propped up.
It makes a lovely decoration for seniors’ rooms as well.
The shape of the paper tube nicely captures the rounded form of a carp streamer.
Wisteria in papercutting
Wisteria trellises swaying in the breeze are so lovely—they truly capture people’s hearts.
Some of you may look forward to visiting wisteria trellises in spring, while others, especially seniors who now find outings difficult, may have fond memories of touring famous wisteria spots.
In this article, we’ll introduce paper-cut wisteria flowers you can enjoy indoors.
That’s the beauty of crafts—you can enjoy them regardless of the weather or your ability to go out! Using blue, purple, and light-purple origami paper, we’ll make small petals.
It helps to draw lines with a pencil before cutting.
Leave the petals unattached without glue on purpose, so they flutter lightly and create a soft, swaying look.
Work together to make plenty of petals and create a beautiful wisteria trellis!