Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Enjoy May: A Collection of Seasonal Craft and Wall Decoration Ideas

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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.

We’re introducing crafts and wall decoration ideas that are perfect for May and capture the spirit of the season.

With cherry blossom season over, this is packed with recommendations for anyone struggling with May wall display ideas.

We also feature plenty of craft ideas related to Children’s Day, so if you’d like to make a gift for your grandchild, please take a look.

Even if they seem difficult, many of these ideas are actually simple—just cutting and pasting.

We hope you’ll give these easy crafts and wall decorations a try—they’re great for older adults to enjoy casually, too.

[For Seniors] Enjoy May: A Collection of Seasonal Craft and Wall Decoration Ideas (111–120)

A carp streamer with scales like Kashiwa-mochi

[Craft Idea] Carp streamers made of kashiwa-mochi scales & irises (May Children’s Day, with templates) (Senior recreation, occupational therapy, day service, childcare, wall decorations) (origami DIY)

A carp streamer with scales like Kashiwa-mochi

On Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku), some older adults may also enjoy eating kashiwa-mochi.

Kashiwa-mochi is considered a lucky food, and eating it carries the hope that boys will grow up safely.

Let’s make a carp streamer (koinobori) with cute kashiwa-mochi scales.

Cut out kashiwa-mochi shapes from origami and create the carp streamer on construction paper.

This fresh idea—using kashiwa-mochi as the scales—seems like a craft that older adults will enjoy making.

You can display the finished piece on the wall, or attach a string and turn it into a lovely garland.

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For Seniors: Enjoying May—A Collection of Craft and Wall Decoration Ideas That Capture the Season (121–130)

Koinobori made with paper cores

[Craft] Paper Tube Koinobori: Children's Day (Tango no Sekku)

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 tube.

These tubes are often made of thick paper, and their cylindrical shape is perfect for crafts.

Cover the tube with origami paper in colors like red or blue, then cut the tail fin.

Use round stickers to make the eyes and scales, and stick them on.

You can display the finished piece on a wall as is.

For an extra touch, punch a hole and insert a chopstick so it can stand propped up.

It looks lovely displayed in seniors’ rooms, too.

The shape of the tube nicely captures the rounded form of a carp streamer.

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Tulips and butterflies

[Craft Idea] Tulip & Butterfly Quilling (April Spring) (Wall Decoration) (Elderly Recreation, Day Service, Occupational Therapy OT, Childcare, Creative Activity) (3D Decoration) (DIY)

Tulips and butterflies

This is a 3D wall decoration of tulips and butterflies made with paper quilling.

Cut two types of paper, such as red and yellow, into rectangles and apply double-sided tape to one edge.

Wrap the paper around a bamboo skewer and roll it to create quilled rings for the petals.

Arrange the parts inside each ring and glue them tightly with no gaps to complete the three-dimensional tulips.

Make the leaves with the same quilling method; giving them a gentle curl adds a soft, flowing look.

When making the butterfly, vary the colors and sizes of the wings as you quill.

For the antennae, tightly roll thin strips of paper to make them look realistic.

Because this involves many fine finger movements, it can also serve as a hand dexterity exercise for older adults.

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field of rapeseed flowers

[Craft Idea] Flowers from Winter to Spring: Rapeseed Blossoms (Canola) Crafts (February/March Spring) (Senior Recreation) (Wall Decorations) (Origami) (Early Childhood Education) (Creative) (Easy) (Flower Crafts)

field of rapeseed flowers

A wall decoration themed around a field of rapeseed blossoms is a great idea for creating a bright, spring-like atmosphere.

Cut origami paper in half, fold it into small sections, and crease it.

Cut along the creases to form a square, then round the edges to shape the petals.

The key is to add a gentle curl to the petals.

Place the pieces you’ve made on top of a ball of crumpled origami paper.

For the stems, cut paper into rectangles, bend them into a bow shape, and give them a curve.

Make two types of leaves and add wrinkles to recreate a more realistic rapeseed field.

The gluing process also serves as fine motor exercise and is recommended for those who enjoy detailed work.

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Chiyogami torn-paper collage carp streamer

Chigiri-e (torn-paper collage) is also enjoyed as a hobby, isn’t it? Because it fully engages the hands, it’s effective for finger dexterity training for seniors and even for dementia prevention! How about making carp streamers with chigiri-e as a May wall decoration? If you’re doing this in a facility’s day service, staff can create the main body of the carp streamers out of construction paper, and have the users tear and paste chiyogami paper for the next step.

Older adults might find themselves completely absorbed in the fine work! Try making vibrant carp streamers that really showcase the colorful chiyogami paper.

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Koinobori hanging decoration

[Care Recreation] “Koinobori Hanging Decoration” made with construction paper and chiyogami (traditional patterned paper)

Koinobori hanging decoration

This is a hanging decoration with gently swaying carp streamers.

By using chiyogami paper, the design appeals to seniors as well.

Roll your favorite color of construction paper into a tube, fold the chiyogami in half and cut it to create a scale pattern.

When you attach the chiyogami to the construction paper tube, the base color shows through, creating a beautiful contrast! By coordinating the colors and patterns of the construction paper and chiyogami, you can make a one-of-a-kind carp streamer.

Adding an origami helmet or pinwheel will make it even more festive.

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A wreath with carp streamers and a samurai helmet

How to Make a Children’s Day Decoration: Kabuto Wreath (Koinobori) with Paper | DIY (Paper Craft)

A wreath with carp streamers and a samurai helmet

While the carp streamers and samurai helmet motif is a classic, what we’re introducing here has a little twist.

First, use origami to make four helmets.

Then connect them by inserting the edge of one helmet into the edge of another and secure it.

Repeat this for all four, and the helmets will form a circle—a wreath.

Finally, decorate the center with carp streamers, and your carp streamer and helmet wreath is complete! Choosing traditional Japanese patterns for the helmet origami makes it look even more authentic.

It’s a Japanese-Western fusion wall decoration!

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