Arts and Crafts for Seniors Need to Take Physical Considerations into Mind
Try These Simple Projects to Keep Seniors Crafty
Despite these ailments, however, there are still many arts and crafts that seniors can try their hands at.
FOAM MAGNET FRIENDS
Supplies: Sheets of foam (various colors)
Scissors
Permanent marker
Double-sided tape
Magnet
Seniors often prefer the flexibility of foam sheets rather than paper. The foam is easier to cut into, does not wrinkle, and is easier on scissors and ailing hands. Cut out shapes to create legs, arms, and head of a person or animal. Draw on facial expression with marker, if desired. Tape parts together and adhere to magnet.
GLITTERDOMES
Supplies:
Baby food jar
Glitter (1 tablespoon per inch of jar)
Shells
Plastic figure (optional)
Superglue
Ribbon
Volunteers or family members can glue the plastic figure onto the lid of the jar, if needed. Seniors fill jar with glitter and shells and add water (leave ½" space). Place a bead of glue around the jar and adhere the lid. Finish with ribbon tied around the lid.
SPONGE-PAINTED STATIONARY
Supplies:
Blank cards or paper
Blank envelopes
Sponges
Paint (various colors)
Sponges are much easier for seniors to grasp than traditional paintbrushes. Lightly dip sponge into paint and paint card. For a real contrast in colors, allow paint to dry between colors. Seniors can then use the stationary to write letters or send cards.
RAG WREATH
Supplies:
Metal coat hanger
9" strips of fabric
Rag wreaths are easy crafts that, with the right coordination of fabric, are a very pretty project - use up old t-shirts or leftovers from sewing projects. The large strips make this craft easy on seniors' hands. Shape metal hanger into a circle, tie strips of fabric around hanger under totally covered.
FLOWER ARRANGING
Supplies:
Small basket
Small pieces of floral foam
Flowers
Scissors
Florists often receive new stock on Wednesday; see if they will donate their leftovers from the week for this craft project. Dampen foam and place in basket. Put longest-stems flowers in the center and work out with shorter flowers. Use scissors as needed to accommodate stem lengths. Use greenery to complete the look. Silk flowers could also be used.
Published by Melissa Ink
I am a freelance writer currently based in Louisiana. View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentHi, really like this site. Very inspiring! I made Candles using CDs shiny side up. Stick small pieces of carpet backer on the CD then turn over and glue a scented candle in the centre. decorate around the disc with coloured glass pebbles (shims in Ireland).My residents loved them.
thanks these helped me with my project, appreciate it tons. comming up with ideas is tough
I have made Placemats by using A3 paper and rounded the corners. Simple ideas to decorate is by cutting pictures from calanders, or photocopying residents photos to make them more personal. You can also use stickers or do stencil painting on them. I also printed their names on the placemats to help the residents with Dementia to find their place at the table. You then laminate them, and they just love looking and talking about their creations. We have also made magnetic paper clips form wooden pegs.Just paint, decorate and stick on magnet.
Another suggestion is making a butterfly out of a close pin and a large coffee filter. All the residents have to do is paint/decorate the coffee filter and the clothes pin. Then you place the scrunched up center of the coffee filter into the clothes pin. This is easy and cheap!
Shammrocks: Material-coffee filters, blue and yellow food coloring,water, margarine tubs, medicine droppers or sponge pcs. Method-Tape 3 filters together to make shammrock,fold one filter and tape as stem. Drop or sponge yellow and blue coloring on filters-colors mix to make green!
I like the foam magnet idea although don't know how taping pieces together would work smoothly. Keep the ideas coming we need a million of them!!
These are also great suggestions for little people, too.