Seven Summer Crafts for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are a selection of summer themed crafts that are appropriate for seniors, kids, or those with arthritis or other hand or dexterity issues. The tutorials use inexpensive & easy-to-find base materials such as rocks, shells, fabric, paper, and recyclable or upcyclable items such as empty plastic bottles.
 
The skills required include mostly painting, gluing, and cutting. For those seniors who may have a bit more trouble manipulating standard crafting tools, here are a selection of arthritis friendly scissors, paintbrushes, and other artist supplies.

Summer Craft Tutorials

Painted Rocks

• Painted rocks are a fun & inexpensive craft that can be used as paperweights, games, indoor or outdoor decor, as well as garden embellishments. All they require is a coloring method as well as access to suitable sizes rocks or stones (either bought from craft stores, freely picked up & cleaned from outdoors, and created from scratch with the judicious use of cement). Dipping methods (such as used during marbling processes) or sponges can be used for those seniors who may have more severe hand dexterity or strength issues that may make holding paintbrushes more difficult.
• Creative Green Living (Marbled Rocks) | Attagirl Says (Tic Tac Toe) | Sustain My Craft Habit (Sharks) | Easy Peasy & Fun (Hedgehogs) | Crafts by Amanda (Ladybugs) | Crown Hill Day by Day (Mushrooms)

Dragonflies

• Dragonflies are a staple of the summer months and are often a popular form portrayed in crafts due to their impressive & eye-catching wings. Here are a selection of dragonfly based crafts that use common household or yard supplies for their materials such as clothespins, sticks, and plastic bottles. Note that the crafts involving plastic may require assistance or preparation in advance for those who may have hand dexterity issues when it comes to cutting up bottles or other recyclable forms of plastic.
• Apartment Therapy (Clothespin Mobile) | Church Street Designs (Leaves/Twigs) | Kids Craft Room (Plastic Decoration) | Handmakery (3D Wall Art) | The Spruce Crafts (Coffee Filters) | DIY 100 Ideas (Zipper Brooch)

Butterflies

• The ever popular butterfly is also a popular form of decoration especially during the colorful warmer months. These tutorials use household materials or inexpensive supplies easily bought from local craft stores and include decorations that can be used indoor (paper based) and outdoors (plastic based). Some steps such as stringing the chandelier or cutting out plastic from recyclable bottles may need to be done in advance or with further assistance for those with more severe hand dexterity issues.
• Happy Hour Projects (Clothespin Magnets) | Fab Art DIY (Lantern) | Oopsey Daisy (Chandelier) | Wonderful DIY (Plastic Bottles) | Todolwen Old to New (Newspaper Origami) | My Poppet (Garland)

Sun

• There may be no greater symbol of summer than the sun itself and so here are a selection of crafts meant to bring a bit of summer sunshine indoors for the whole year around. Supplies necessary can be found by upcycling items from around the house or easily bought online or at local craft stores. Cutting materials ahead of time such as the CDs, small strips of paper, or fabric may be necessary for those with more extreme cases of hand dexterity issues.
• Rumble (Wreath) | Morning Sun Rae (Suncatcher) | Gina Tepper (Centerpiece) | DIY Candy (No Sew Felt Pillow) | Aira Tran Youtube (CD Wall Decor) | My Crafts (Quilling Paper)

Watermelon

• Due to their being in-season throughout the summer months and their status as a nutritious & tasty way to enjoy a chilled summer treat, watermelon crafts often come into vogue during the warmer months. Here are a selection of tutorials that use inexpensive, basic supplies such as paper plates, tissue paper, yarn, and fabric swatches. Skills required include gluing, tying loose knots, mixing, and cutting and are thus suitable for with those with basic hand strength & dexterity.
• Craft Create Cook (Wreath) | Red Ted Art (Papier Mache Bowl) | Crafts by Amanda (Suncatcher) | Minted (Pinata) | Mr. Printables (Pompoms)

Seashells

• Seashells are another symbol of summer due to their association with warm beach parties & summer vacations. Here are an assortment of crafts that use real seashells as their bases for use with both indoor & outdoor decor as well as wearable accessories. Seashells can be gathered naturally while visiting the beach or bought online or at local craft stores. The main skills required for these tutorials include gluing and painting and thus they are suitable for a wide range of hand dexterities & strengths.
• Billabong (Planter) | Dollar Tree (Wreath) | Holidays Central (Pencil Holder) | Craft Ideas (Wall Decoration) | Glued to My Crafts (Picture Frame) | Polka Dot Chair (Accessories)

Flowers

• Flowers are another staple of the warmer months. For those who may not have fresh varieties at hand, here are a selection of tutorials that can recreate that flower-y look out of an assortment of easy-to-find materials for both indoor & outdoor decor. Note that certain steps during the craft-making such as cutting plastic or bending wires may require advanced preparation or other assistance for those with weaker hand strengths.
• Crafts by Amanda (Bendable Fabric) | Crafts n Coffee (Wreath) | House That Lars Built (Garland) | What Will We Do Today (Duct Tape) | Fab Art DIY (Plastic Bottle Garden (Decor) | Lia Griffith (Giant Paper Sunflowers)