[For Seniors] Autumn Origami to Enjoy in October
October brings a real chill in the air, but it’s also a season full of delicious foods and plenty of unique autumn pleasures.
Many senior care facilities incorporate origami as a recreational activity that also helps train fine motor skills.
How about folding or making origami inspired by themes related to October?
In this article, we share ideas for enjoying origami that features flowers, seasonal scenes, and foods representative of autumn and perfect for October.
Even if you can’t go out for Halloween or to see the fall foliage, you can lift your spirits indoors by enjoying origami!
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[For Seniors] Autumn Origami to Enjoy in October (71–80)
Halloween treat bag
In October, some senior care facilities and day-service centers may also hold Halloween events.
This time, we’ll introduce origami that’s perfect for Halloween events and October indoor decorations.
Fold several origami pieces to create parts for a candy holder and combine them.
Using orange and black paper, which evoke Halloween, will enhance the atmosphere.
Make a handle out of origami as well and attach it to the holder for a cute, basket-like finish.
If you add origami black cats and pumpkins to the candy holder, it will look even more Halloween-themed.
It could also be fun to chat with the seniors about Halloween while you make them.
Halloween paper fan
One of the events that heats up in October is Halloween.
Many senior care facilities and day-service centers seem to incorporate Halloween into their October events and recreational activities.
Some older adults may not be very familiar with Halloween.
How about making Halloween crafts together with them and giving them a chance to experience it? This time, we’re introducing Halloween paper fans.
You combine accordion-folded parts and assemble them into a circle.
Because it uses the fingertips a lot, it can also help stimulate the brain.
Once finished, try decorating the facility’s walls or your own room with the pieces.
It’s a craft that lets seniors feel the season while enjoying Halloween.
a three-dimensional chestnut burr
Let’s try folding chestnuts with origami, as chestnuts are in season in October.
Some older adults may have fond memories of going chestnut gathering in autumn.
Doing origami could be a nice way to reminisce about those past experiences.
October also features Jusan’ya, an age-old Japanese custom.
Because it coincides with the chestnut harvest and offerings are made, it’s also called the “Chestnut Moon.” The steps for this origami are simple, so it seems perfect for folding together while chatting.
You can also make the spiky burr that encloses the chestnut out of origami, allowing the chestnut to stand upright.
It will look lovely displayed in your room just as it is.
Hanging decorations of autumn leaves
October is the time when the trees turn brilliant shades of red and yellow.
The autumn colors of maples and Japanese maples are especially charming, aren’t they? The hanging origami maple decoration introduced here is perfect for enjoying in October.
The process is very simple, and you’ll end up with a lovely piece.
Divide a sheet of origami into four equal parts and use just three of them to create maple and Japanese maple leaves.
Attach a string to the finished leaves to complete the hanging decoration.
Display it indoors, and you’ll feel as if you’ve gone out to view the autumn foliage.
It’s a great way for older adults who have difficulty moving around to enjoy the feeling of autumn leaves indoors.
By the way, “kaede” (maple) and “momiji” (Japanese maple) are actually the same in botanical classification.
chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are one of the flowers that represent autumn, aren’t they? Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors, and there are many types ranging from small to large blooms.
Let’s help older adults feel the autumn season even more with origami chrysanthemums.
Start by creasing the origami paper, then fold the chrysanthemum petal parts.
There are a few slightly complex steps, so it’s a project that people who enjoy origami will likely find fun.
If some older adults find the folding method difficult, please have those around them offer support.
Like the many layered petals of real chrysanthemums, connect the petal parts made from origami.
Using double-sided colored paper or patterned origami will make the piece even more beautiful.
salmon
Salmon is a fish that often appears on the family dining table and in lunch boxes.
It’s also one many older adults are familiar with.
They say salmon is in season from around September to November, when it returns from the sea to the river where it was born to spawn.
As an origami project to enjoy in October, let’s fold seasonal salmon.
In this case, we’ll make a creative version—a salmon fillet.
First, crease the origami paper to create multiple small squares.
From there, shape and fold it to form a salmon fillet.
Using your fingertips stimulates the brain and can help prevent cognitive decline.
If you color the parts that would be the skin and flesh of the salmon, you’ll have a fillet that looks just like the real thing.
Grapes & Cherries
These are soft, rounded parts shaped by gently forming a square sheet of origami.
Arrange small purple circles in a triangle to make grapes, or attach a stem to red circles to make cherries.
The key is a soft appearance—don’t press the creases too hard; fold gently to add a raised, three-dimensional look.
When making grapes, the arrangement and layering also matter; changing the order you place them helps create a sense of volume.
Combining various colors instead of using just one can also produce depth through color gradation.
