For Seniors: Easy Crafts Recommended for October
October brings cooler, more comfortable weather.
There are events like the Harvest Moon (Jūgoya), Sports Day, and Halloween.
As the phrase “autumn is for ____” suggests, the mild climate makes it easier to get out and do things, making us want to enjoy our favorite activities and try new challenges.
Let’s create autumn-themed crafts so that older adults can also feel the season!
In connection with the idea of “autumn is for ____,” it could be nice to spark lively conversations with older adults about what to enjoy in autumn.
Be sure to make use of this “October Crafts for Older Adults.”
They say “autumn is for reading” because, among the four seasons, autumn has the shortest daylight hours, and the longer nights are perfect for reading.
- [Day Service] Craft Ideas for Seniors to Make in October
- [Day Service] Handmade Autumn Crafts: Take-Home Project Ideas
- For Seniors: Simple and Lovely Crafts – A Collection of Take-Home Project Ideas for Day Service
- [For Seniors] Wall Decorations to Enjoy October
- [For Seniors] Fall Wall Decoration Ideas
- Simple, Recommended Autumn Crafts for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Simple crafts that feel like autumn: a fun creative activity
- [For Seniors] Recreation Games Related to October Events
- Useful in care facilities! Ideas for autumn wall decorations
- [For Seniors] Day-service activities also recommended! Craft ideas for November
- [For Seniors] Introducing Fun Crafts Made with Plastic Bottle Caps
- [For Seniors] Let’s Get Excited with Halloween Crafts! Fun and Easy Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Autumn Origami to Enjoy in October
For Seniors: Easy Crafts Recommended for October (71–80)
plump grapes
We’ll use a circular piece of origami with a raised center to represent a grape, and arrange several of these to form the cluster.
The key to creating depth is the creases that radiate from the center, so be sure to fold those firmly.
Make a single cut along one of the creases, then fold it over twice more from that cut to close the gap and glue it down—this completes one grape.
Next, attach the grape pieces to a triangular base, and finish by adding the stem and leaves to complete the bunch.
Pay attention to how you layer the leaves to enhance the overall three-dimensional effect.
Maple leaf paper cutout
Papercutting that makes your heart race when it’s finished, and the moment you open it is fun.
How about trying a papercut in the shape of a maple leaf? You can make it with any way of folding and cutting, so with a little creativity you can enjoy many different designs.
Fold it firmly with the colored side facing inward, and draw lines on the white side to match the image you want to cut out.
Be careful—it’s delicate work—so watch your fingers with the scissors, and make sure not to cut through the connecting parts.
Paste your papercut on construction paper or hang it on the wall and enjoy.
maple and lantern
Let’s make a maple-leaf lantern, a perfect item for long autumn nights! You’ll need a milk carton, wax paper, and origami paper.
Cut off the top and bottom of the milk carton and open it up, then cut out the four panels, leaving a 1–2 cm border around each side.
From the inside, attach the wax paper.
On the outside, stick on maple leaves made from origami paper.
Tape the corners of the milk carton together with cellophane tape, and you’re done.
Place an LED light, such as one from a 100-yen shop, inside.
The softly flickering light and the maple leaves projected onto it look beautiful, don’t they?
Maple Leaves and Showa-Era Children
When a Showa-era scene unfolds, many older people surely feel nostalgic, warmed, and eager to reminisce.
How about making maple leaves and Showa-era children out of origami to decorate the wall? These days there are plenty of cute origami papers with many patterns.
Using patterned origami to fold the children’s kimonos would turn out adorable, too! A wall decoration of children looking up at the maple leaves is charming—staff can certainly make it, but it’s also nice for everyone to fold the pieces together, enjoy the process, and then display them.
Maple Leaf Wreath
Let’s make a wreath using colored origami that evokes autumn maple leaves! Fold maple leaves from origami in colors like orange and brown.
Use the same folding method for all of them, and make enough pieces to form a wreath.
The assembly is simple—just connect the folded maple leaves into a ring.
This should make it easier for many older adults to participate.
Origami involves moving your fingers while thinking through the steps, so it can be a good brain-training activity.
The finished “Maple Leaf Wreath” can be displayed on a facility wall or taken home, which also provides a sense of accomplishment.
Origami apple
This is an origami piece inspired by apples that become more delicious from autumn to winter.
The branch and leaf parts attached at the end add a cute touch.
The simple steps fold along four-section creases as a guide, and the key is to reduce corners and create roundness.
Keeping symmetry in mind and folding both sides the same way leads to a beautifully rounded overall shape.
It’s also recommended to make the branch and leaf parts deliberately sharp, as that will emphasize the roundness of the main body.
Endless Piñata
This is a craft idea where candy pops out when you hit it—perfect for surprises! It’s one of those items that will liven up a Halloween party, so be sure to enjoy making it together with seniors.
First, decorate a deep paper plate with washi tape or similar materials, and attach strong magnets around the rim of another paper plate.
Next, punch a hole at the top of the plates, thread twine through, and secure the two plates together.
Finally, put in the candy and hang it up—that’s it! It looks like a kusudama (a Japanese party ball), but seniors may not be very familiar with it.
Precisely because it’s unfamiliar, it might be an exciting experience.
