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

Koinobori made from egg cartons

Children’s Day: Koinobori made from egg cartons (carp-shaped streamers)

How about making colorful and cute carp streamers using clear egg cartons? They’re easy to create with familiar materials, making them perfect for May activities at day service centers! First, cut colored construction paper to make the carp’s head, tail fin, and eyes.

Next, place crumpled origami paper into each compartment of the egg carton.

You can keep the patterns consistent or mix them up—try expressing your own original carp scales.

Finally, tie knots at both ends of a ribbon, attach it to the egg carton, close the carton, and staple on the head and tail fin—and you’re done! Adding the ribbon lets you hang it on the wall, making it a lovely accent for your interior decor.

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miyabi

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Iris made with origami

[Origami] How to Fold an Iris (Ayame) – Easy May Flower Origami Iris [With Voice Commentary] Children’s Day Series #4 / Grandma’s Origami

Let’s make and display irises—at their best in early May—using origami! Fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold both ends toward the top point.

Open it once, fold the base of the triangle up to meet the crease you just made, and then fold again while spreading the pocket-like sections.

Turn it over, fold the top point down just one layer, then fold the bottom corner up.

Make small cuts with scissors to refine the shape, and the flower portion is done.

Combine it with a stem and leaves made by folding green origami paper into long, thin pieces, and your iris is complete!

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yuri

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Wisteria flowers made with origami and 100-yen shop construction paper

Introducing an easy way to make wisteria blossoms using origami and 100-yen shop construction paper! Perfect for spring decorations [Kazari-mon].

How about making a dazzling wisteria decoration using lilac origami paper and craft paper from the 100-yen shop? First, cut the origami sheet in half.

With the white side facing up, fold it small, cut it into a half-circle, then trim it to refine the shape.

When you unfold it, each piece takes on a beautifully realistic petal shape.

Combine these with long, thin strips of yellow-green craft paper to form cascading wisteria clusters.

If you also make leaves from green craft paper, the result will rival the real thing.

Put the finished piece on the wall, and it will feel like spring has breezed into your room.

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hiyori

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Origami Calendar

How to Fold an Origami Calendar [May / Clover Edition]

May is a warm and refreshing season, isn’t it? In parks and fields, you can often find plenty of clovers and white clover in bloom.

Here’s a calendar that evokes those May landscapes.

Let’s make a clover-shaped calendar using a commercially available craft kit.

By folding the printed calendar sheet, you can create a calendar in the shape of a clover.

The folding steps are mostly simple, so it should be easy for older adults to enjoy as well.

Sit in a chair and try making it while chatting with the people around you.

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Nakajima Junko

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tear-off calendar

Handmade page-a-day calendar! Introducing the May 2024 edition! #PageADayCalendar #AnalogIllustration

Let me introduce a fun tear-off daily calendar.

Create the calendar base so that you can flip each page.

It’s recommended to write the date, an illustration, and a short phrase on each page.

You might also have staff write the dates while participants create the illustrations or phrases—that could make it an enjoyable collaborative activity.

Thinking of seasonal words and illustrations while feeling the change of seasons is also great brain exercise, so it’s highly recommended! Give it a try and make your own original daily flip calendar.

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mayumi

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Wreath of daffodils and roses

[Origami] Daffodil and Rose Wreath

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.

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kappamaki

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Making a peony calendar

Making a May calendar!

Peonies come into bloom from April to May, so a peony-themed calendar is perfect for May.

Try making peonies out of tissue paper or origami and adding them to the calendar.

Large peony blossoms in red, white, or pink will brighten it up beautifully.

Some older adults may especially love peonies.

As they make the calendar, it may also bring back memories of May’s fresh, pleasant season.

It sounds like a project you can enjoy while chatting happily with those around you.

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Nakajima Junko

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