For seniors: Heartwarming and cozy. Recommended handmade Hina dolls
Hinamatsuri is an event filled with the wish for girls to grow up healthy and happy.
On March 3rd, many families traditionally display Hina dolls and celebrate.
In this article, we introduce handmade Hina doll ideas especially for seniors.
One-of-a-kind handmade Hina dolls have a warm, charming feel, don’t they?
The Hina dolls featured here are all easy to make using familiar, readily available materials, so please feel free to use them as inspiration.
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[For Seniors] Heartwarming and Cozy. Recommended Handmade Hina Dolls (31–40)
Hina doll wreath
A wreath of Hina dolls assembled from eight sheets of origami makes for a festive and original craft.
The wreath base is glued together, and the Hina doll components are also easy to make, so it should be approachable as a recreational activity.
However, if the glue is applied in the wrong places, it can be difficult to fix, so when seniors are doing the craft, those around them should provide solid support.
Also, if you’re making a smaller version that requires the use of scissors, please ensure that care staff supervise the process.
Hina dolls made with jelly cups
These hina dolls made with jelly cups are highly recommended for a Hinamatsuri craft at day service centers.
To make them, stuff a jelly cup with tissue paper to form the body, then add a face and crown made from construction paper and decorate with origami to resemble a kimono.
The overall look changes dramatically depending on the tissue paper colors and origami patterns, so have fun customizing your own version.
Placing the dolls on a handmade stand will make them look even more festive, so give it a try if you have the time!
Hina dolls made from socks
These hina dolls are made from socks, with a soft, fluffy texture that brings a sense of comfort.
Once finished, they also make great decorative accents for your room.
Turn the patterned socks you prepared inside out, then layer a plain white sock over them.
Next, roll both socks up together, stuff tissues in from the bottom, and shape them.
Finally, draw the facial features on the white sock portion, and your cute hina dolls are complete! Since scissors or cutters aren’t used, it’s a safe craft for seniors as well.
Hina dolls you can make with just three folds
Just three folds! Here’s a simple hina doll you can make even if you’re not good at origami.
Using patterned origami paper gives it a stylish finish, so it’s recommended.
Try making it while chatting with older adults.
First, fold the paper about one-third of the way, then turn it vertically and fold about one-third again.
Finally, angle it and fold the bottom section to the back—that’s it! If you want a rounded head, slightly fold the top outward.
You can also add masking tape inside the kimono for an accent, draw any face you like, or make a crown or a ritual baton (shaku) out of origami and stick them on—feel free to customize and have fun.
Adding small accessories will make it look even more realistic.
Ohina-dama
Here’s a recommendation for March’s Hinamatsuri: beanbag-shaped hina dolls.
You can make them with items from a 100-yen shop.
Prepare chirimen crepe fabric, insert a backing sheet, stuff it with cotton, and sew a small beanbag.
Then attach the faces and small accessories of the Emperor and Empress made from construction paper or cardstock, and you’re done.
Create a small platform for the beanbag hina dolls to sit on and display them—it will look lovely.
They’re great to place on a table at home for older adults, too.
As they make them, some seniors might recall the Hinamatsuri celebrations they shared with their families in the past.
[For Seniors] Heartwarming and Cozy. Recommended Handmade Hina Dolls (41–50)
Hina dolls
Hinamatsuri, the popular event in March.
Some seniors may remember displaying hina dolls and enjoying a festive meal with their families.
However, since hina dolls require space to set up, some households no longer display them these days.
For those people, we recommend small, cute hina dolls made from origami.
Prepare four sheets of origami paper and cut them to the sizes needed for each part.
Make the faces of the empress (ohinasama) and the emperor (odairisama), and also craft small accessories like a fan and a ritual baton (shaku).
Finally, make the kimono, then assemble the faces and accessories to complete the dolls.
They would also make a delightful gift for your grandchildren.
Origami hina dolls
Making Hina dolls out of origami is not only great finger dexterity practice, but also a recommended brain-training activity because you work while visualizing the finished piece.
Once you fold the kimono part from origami paper, you simply assemble parts like the hair and crown to complete it, making it relatively easy for older adults as well.
However, since some parts are made using scissors or craft punches, people nearby should provide assistance when needed.
Once finished, it’s a delightful craft you can display in a room to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.