The new season is just around the corner and we can't wait for nature to awaken. Bring the outdoors into your home by making some creative projects for spring with seniors!
When doing handicrafts with seniors, it has proven usefulto orientate yourself to the seasons. And since spring is just knocking on the door, we have collected some nice ideas for spring crafts. They are good for seniors and people with dementia as they help with concentration and practice fine motor skills.
What can you make for spring with seniors?
The craft ideas for seniors are not much different from those for children. You can cut, fold, glue and paint to create something beautiful. When it comes to people with dementia, there are a few things to consider:
- The crafts shouldn't be overwhelming, but rather simple and with clear instructions.
- The crafts should make sense and be used, for example as decoration.
- So that people can better orientate themselves in time, the craft projects should relate to the respective season.
- The tasks should match the abilities of the people in the group.
- Instructions should be given step by step. Showing off is always an advantage.
There are a lot of nice craft ideas for older people for spring. For example, you can make flower crowns, birdhouses, Easter decorations, or even window decorations. Other ideas include creating spring pictures, making flower necklaces and garlands or making butterflies. We give some examples with instructions that you can try out when crafting with seniors.
Decorate flower pots
Spring is the time of flowers! Plan an activity where the seniorscreate their own flower potscan. You can use paints as well as stickers or paper. With brushes and paint you can create beautiful pots that you can then plant in another activity.
Make roses from satin ribbon
Making flowers is a perfect activity for spring. There are so many options and materials! Instead of making the classic paper flowers, you can try making small roses out of satin ribbon with seniors. This craft isn't too difficult, but it does require concentration and a steady hand. The following video explains how to do it, so you can judge for yourself whether the craft is suitable for the person or group in question.
You will need: satin ribbon, wool needle and lighter.
Make a spring wreath from recycling
You can also use recycled material for crafting. Both children and adults love making something beautiful out of toilet paper rolls or egg cartons. In spring, flowers and leaves are of course our first choice. You can choose one of these in the groupMake a pretty door wreath. To do this you will need a cardboard ring, some toilet rolls, egg carton, paint and glue.
- Make sheets from toilet paper rolls: Flatten each roll and cut into 1cm wide rings. Paint them green and let the paint dry.
- Make flowers out of egg carton: Cut out the egg carton cups and cut in petals. Paint the resulting flowers in any colors you like.
- Make the wreath: Glue the crafted leaves and flowers to the cardboard ring to create a pretty spring wreath.
Make flower egg cups for Easter
For the upcoming Easter you can make these beautiful egg cups with seniors. They look like little flowers and are really easy to make. Crepe paper is best for this craft because it replicates the petals well. You still need a cardboard roll (preferably made from aluminum foil or cling film, as these are stronger), scissors and glue.
Instructions for crafting:
- Cut the cardboard tube into rings 2.5 cm apart.
- Measure the circumference of the ring and cut rectangular pieces of crepe paper about 1cm longer from it. The width should be approx. 5 cm. For one cup you need one green piece and three in a flower color.
- Cut spikes into the green paper and curves into two of the colored papers.
- Apply some glue to the outside of the uncut piece of paper and glue it into the ring. Continue with the other two colored pieces.
- Then glue the green piece to the outside and twist the prongs together slightly. Complete! Now the eggs can go in.
Make a bunny garland as decoration
As a nice decoration for Easter, you can also make colorful Easter garlands. Bunnies are an ideal motif for this and in the weeks before Easter you can find such decorative bunnies in every craft shop. The seniors can paint the bunnies however they like, for example in pastel colors, and then thread them onto a string to make the garland. This is a great craft idea that grandma and grandpa can also make with their grandchildren at Easter.
Decorate eggs for the Easter tree
Whether inside or outside, an Easter tree is an essential part of the spring and Easter decorations. If you also plan to decorate one, you can make and decorate the Easter eggs with seniors to hang up. There are a few options here too. The easiest way is to provide blown or artificial eggs along with paints and brushes. These are then colorfully painted and decorated by the seniors. You can then tie small bows and use them to embellish the hanging decorations for the Easter tree.
