Ideas for crafts for kids to make for elderly

[bellylaughter]

Hello crafters!

My cub group goes to a local care/ nursing home to sing carols at Christmas.
Last year -the first year- we took a Christmas card for every resident and some biscuits for them to share. They were delighted.

We’d like to make it a bit more personal this year and have the children, as part of the crafting badge, make something for every resident.
I was thinking about a bead angel for every resident. It seems quite easy with a kit and cost effective. (The leaders are covering the cost)

Does anyone have any other suggestions please. The residents are elderly and some have dementia. The cubs are aged 8-11.

We’ll have about an hour to make it.

Thank you

A printed Christmas card?
You can buy readymade cards with envelopes. And inexpensive rubber stamps with a winter/Christmas theme. And an ink pad.

I do like the idea of a bead angel though.

Sorry forgot to add... look on Pinterest for ideas.

I love that idea! Sounds like we could do it relatively quickly too so it wouldn’t take too much time

A christmas decoration? You can get packs of pre cut ones you sew or assemble etc Not too big and can be hung in lots of places

Actually sewing is a good idea. It’s a good skill to teach them 😀

https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/christmas-craft-kits/make-your-own-felt-christmas-tree-decorations/5052089385160.html you can get pack like this, which are simple and add some extra decorations like sequins or pom-poms. These are from the works.
the best place to look for inspiration is Baker Ross. They will have loads of craft kits that are inexpensive.

How about a christingle ? They could hold them whilst the carols are sung

I like the idea of the Angel, if you fancy sewing how about a coffee mat.

if you have beads you could make bracelets? But I would check with the care home first.

hobbycraft use to have multi packs of those stain glass things you paint I can’t remember how much they were but if you speak to the manager you might get a discount as it’s cubs.

A button Christmas tree ornament?

If they’ve got dementia, I wouldn’t do anything with lit candles!

Have a look at Baker Ross, they have loads of craft stuff, they also have instructions to make various things.

Wouldn't the obvious thing be a cracker? fairly easy to make.

What about a crib? You can get kits or make them from paper.

If you wanted to do something with candles then you can get battery powered ones. I use them as Halloween decorations but if you got battery powered tea lights they could decorate a jam jar, then put the tea light in.

They could hold them as they sang and then hand over, maybe with a "made by X Xmas 2025"

www.bakerross.co.uk/?&tm=tt&ap=gads&aaid=adakFLMRapOcq&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=325946657&gbraid=0AAAAAD4FDOUH2Z_YAI0s_V5jAzEFOqclC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgpzIBhCOARIsABZm7vEtGLBk1DPvGEXOJQqWLZAgeS1ACF2rMaa6EgpKLIFcpGWCYxWDBCgaAk54EALw_wcB

Stick pinecones onto air dry clay then paint green at start of meeting. When dry glue on mini pompoms. Baby Christmas trees.

Sorry I wasn’t thinking about lit candles we use those battery tea lights with our christingles, you use an apple corer to make a hole to sit it in. I should have said that

Great! I’ve got some felt! I could prep them myself!

That’s sweet! Thank you

Ooh I’ve got some jam jars! And we’ve got loads of paint in the craft cupboard. We could do that for almost free!

That would be lovely while they are singing! Do you think if I put them in a seal lock bag they would keep for the week between making them and using them?

Sewing simple tree ornaments using crafting felt then lightly stuff with teddy stuffing, attach a ribbon and decorate with glitter glue etc (tip - cheapest polyester pillow you can buy in Asda makes good stuffing).

I would be careful about beads though as people with dementia can end up choking on things kind of similar to toddlers.

What a lovely thread. I'm sure the recipients will love it, and I hope the cubs love it too 🎄

You could try putting something to seal the cut orange, a small piece of cling film or something. I think I would be tempted to try making one and seeing how long it keeps for.