Arts and Crafts for Seniors Need to Take Physical Considerations into Mind

May 03, 2006 by
M. Gib  
M. Gib
M. Gib
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Arts Crafts  |  Seniors  |  Easy Crafts  |  Baby Crafts  |  Flower Crafts

Try These Simple Projects to Keep Seniors Crafty

Arts and crafts for seniors often present unique challenges. Arthritis and poor vision are just some of the physical pains that challenge seniors’ ability to enjoy needlepoint, woodworking, and other traditional crafts.

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

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Comments 1 - 4 of 4  
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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!
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Posted on 07/09/2008 at 5:07:47 PM

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!
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Posted on 03/01/2007 at 2:03:00 PM

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!!
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Posted on 01/04/2007 at 3:01:00 PM

These are also great suggestions for little people, too.
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Posted on 05/04/2006 at 8:05:00 PM

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