Labor Day Crafts for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

The upcoming Labor Day holiday is a good time for people to celebrate the oncoming end of summer with family & friends even for those who may already be retired from the labor force.
 
Here we have a focus on  crafts suitable for those with hand dexterity or strength issues that can act as a family friendly fun pass-time and which can later double as indoor or outdoor decor for Labor Day parties.
 
Main skills necessary in the following tutorials include painting, gluing, and cutting cloth, paper, and foam. Assistance or preparation in advance may be required for those with more extreme hand issues who may have trouble cutting thicker materials.
 
See our Crafting Tools for Seniors article for suitable craft supplies for those with arthritis or hand & finger flexibility issues. 

Craft Tutorials

Labor Day Napkin Rings

• These crafts are a quick & easy way to give your Labor Day table a pop of color & glitz. Supplies are comprised of easy-to-find materials from around the house or from a local hobby or craft store. Gluing, cutting, painting, and tying loose knots are the main skills required and thus these tutorials are suitable for those with varying hand dexterity or strength levels.
• That's What Che Said | Martha Stewart | She Knows | Kenarry

Labor Day Utensil Holders

• These festive utensil holders are styled for casual Labor Day cookouts & end of the summer barbecues with varieties available for group settings or for individually packaged utensils. Materials needed include upcycled supplies such as empty jars, cans, and paper towel rolls as well as craft staples such as paint & scissors. As some materials are breakable, enough hand strength & dexterity is needed to be able to grasp items without the fear of dropping them.
• One Mama's Daily Drama | It All Started with Paint | Parties for Pennies | Stockpiling Moms

Labor Day Placemats

• These tutorials are a fun pre-Labor Day craft as well as a good way to bring a bit of color to the Labor Day picnic table while also helping keep it clean from any untoward spills or droppings. Materials run the range from common duct tape, used and upcycled denim, and bamboo mats. Depending upon the exact style of placemat being created, a senior can tailor their contributions by manipulating tape, cutting cloth, or creating an easy dye bath with hot water.
• Home Talk | Fave Crafts | Martha Stewart | Dot Com Women

Labor Day Coasters

• Coasters are a common summer staple when it comes to protecting furniture from all those cool, icy beverages that proliferate during hot temperatures. These patriotic or summer themed coasters use mini-pallets (ie popsicle sticks or clothespins), freezer paper, cork, or beads as their bases with basic skills required including painting, gluing, taping, cutting, threading beads, and tying knots.
• Six Clever Sisters | My Mom Made That | Modern on Monticello | The Home Steady

Labor Day Table Runners

• These no-sew table cloth runners are a quick way to bring a bit of patriotic flair to the Labor Day table while providing a bit of protection to the furniture beneath. Cheap or upcycled burlap & bandanas are the most popular source of materials with the main skills involved are cutting, gluing, taping, and painting with either spray cans or sponges.  Sponge painting (with pre-cut sponges for those with more severe hand issues) is recommended for those who may have trouble with manipulating a spray can (or simply lacks the room that painting method requires)
• Bliss Bloom Blog | The Shabby Creek Cottage | Everyday Dishes | Cassie Smallwood

Labor Day Centerpieces

• These crafts can be the finishing touches when it comes to decorating a Labor Day party table or simply used as a bit of patriotic decor around the house. Skills required include painting, gluing, cutting, folding, tying loose knots, using hole punchers, as well as the ability to handle more delicate supplies such as breakable glass jars.
• Pretty Extraordinary | See Vanessa Craft | Addicted 2 DIY | Live Laugh Rowe

Labor Day Banners & Garlands

• Another bit of patriotic decor suitable for decorating the indoor or outdoor Labor Day table are these craft banners made from a wide range of easy to find materials such as canvas, cardboard, plastic table cloth covers, burlap, and even dried pasta noodles. Skills required include painting with sponge brushes, cutting, gluing, taping, and tying loose knots thus making the tutorials suitable for a wide range of hand dexterity & strength levels.
• Fabulously Frugal | Playdough & Popsicles | Fun Home Things | See Vanessa Craft

Labor Day Wreaths

• Add a bit of patriotic pizzazz around the house with these wreaths made from a wide range of materials including scrap fabric, upcycled denim, pompoms, and tissue paper with embroidery hoops, pool noodles, plain styrofoam or straw wreath bases, or even cut cardboard as their bases. The main kills required including cutting (of cloth & paper), tying loose knots, and gluing. Use tutorials with lightweight materials such as paper for those seniors with more severe hand issues.
• To Love & Party | AC More | Fox Hollow Cottage | Sew Stylish Boutiques