It's not just children who love crafts. Creative design can also prove to be a useful hobby for adults. Especially as you get older, doing crafts with seniors gives you the opportunity to practice fine motor skills. Working with different materials is also fun. Making something yourself step by step is experienced by everyone as meaningful. You also feel like you are part of a community when a whole group works together.
Crafting is not only fun, it also promotes certain skills. Therefore, it is a useful activity not only for children but also for adults. And seniors also enjoy making something new and letting their creativity run wild. It can prove particularly valuable for patients with dementia.
But you ask yourself again, which craft ideas are suitable for seniors? Basically anything that isn't too complicated. Paint something, cut something out according to templates, simple onesMake decorative figures yourself– there are plenty of craft ideas that are well suited for this age group. Of course, it is all the more important that these craft ideas are suitable as a group activity. We list some suggestions for winter.
Decorate pine cones with glitter and make a garland
The first idea is super simple, a lot of fun and doesn't require any special motor skills. You will need white acrylic paint and glitter. First, pour the white acrylic paint into one bowl and then pour powdered glitter into another bowl. First apply the acrylic paint to the cones and then roll them in glitter. If desired, you can tie the pine cones together and make a beautiful garland.
Crafting with seniors: winter fairies made of wood
For the cute wooden winter fairies you need figure cones (craft supplies), metallic paints, cardboard, fineliner in red and black, small glitter stars (scatter decorations from craft supplies) and scissors. First, paint the faces of the wooden figures with a neutral pink shade. Then draw the faces of the fairies. Meanwhile, the seniors can cut out the fairies' wings out of paper and then paint the fairies. A small star is then glued to the forehead of each figure and the wings are attached with glue.
Winter decoration that promotes fine motor skills: owls made of cotton wool and felt
With a little skill you can turn cones into pretty owls. The necessary materials are as follows: cotton, felt fabric and googly eyes. The instructions are incredibly simple. First, cut out all the felt fabric pieces. Then fill the gaps between the cone scales with cotton. Then attach the felt pieces. Then glue the googly eyes too.
Craft ideas for seniors: Window decorations with snowflakes made from glue
The next DIY idea can also be done quickly and easily. You need transparent baking paper, glue and glitter. First draw a snowflake on the baking paper. Then apply glue on it. Sprinkle the snowflake with powdered glitter and let it dry. Then carefully remove them from the baking paper.
Activity for dementia sufferers: Make your own penguin out of old socks
You can quickly and easily make a penguin figure from an old sock and felt material. Decorate it with a decorative ribbon and jazz it up with another Christmas-themed sock that will serve as a “hat.” The sweet decoration idea is ready.
Crafts with seniors: Melting snowman on a paper plate
The next decoration idea is perfect for families with small children. If grandma and grandpa come as guests, you can include them in the crafting. So fun is guaranteed for the whole family. For the melting snowman you need a paper plate, a Styrofoam ball, three buttons, a detail made of white cardboard, a nose made of orange kitchen sponge and two brown pipe cleaners.
Painting for seniors with dementia
For many dementia sufferers, painting can prove to be a favorite activity. It's not always easy, but painting a beautiful picture is fun and increases self-confidence. Painting also promotes creativity.
Crafting with household items: Penguin made from egg carton
With a little creativity, cute egg carton penguins can be created in just a few minutes. For theDIY-IdeeYou still need orange cardboard for the feet and beak, googly eyes and white cardboard for the belly. Cut the egg carton to size, paint it black and assemble the penguins.
