[For Seniors] Origami Crafts to Brighten Hinamatsuri: A Collection of Decorative, Festive Ideas
As the season gradually brings more warm days, why not make Hina Matsuri decorations and feel the arrival of spring? One of origami’s charms is that with just a single sheet of paper you can create seasonal colors right at your fingertips—three-dimensional Hina dolls, lanterns, peach blossoms, and more.
The careful, fingertip-focused process invites a pleasant sense of concentration, and displaying your finished pieces will instantly bring a spring-like feel to your space.
In this article, we introduce Hina Matsuri origami ideas that older adults can enjoy while working on them.
Each piece lets personality shine through in its expressions and colors, so pick the ones that catch your eye and give them a try.
- For seniors: Heartwarming and cozy. Recommended handmade Hina dolls
- [For Seniors] Brighten Up Hinamatsuri: Wall Decoration Ideas
- For Seniors: Simple and Fun Hina Matsuri Crafts—An Idea Collection Using Various Materials
- [Day Service] Excited for Hinamatsuri! Craft ideas to brighten up your room
- [For Seniors] Enjoy Something New Every Day! Today’s Origami
- For Seniors: Recommended Wall Decoration Ideas for March
- [For Seniors] Spring Wall Decorations: A Collection of Ideas to Brighten Up Your Room
- [For Seniors] Hina Matsuri (Girls’ Day) Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Recommended for Dementia Prevention Activities
- Simple origami that can be folded from a single sheet
- [For Seniors] Perfect Finger Exercises! Seasonal Flower Origami
- [For Seniors] Fun to Make, Soothing to Display! Snowman Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Amazing Scrap Fabric Hacks! Easy Handmade Small Item Ideas
- For Seniors: Come, Spring! Recommended March Craft Ideas for Daycare Services
[For Seniors] Origami Crafts to Brighten Up Hinamatsuri: A Collection of Decorative Ideas (41–50)
Hina dolls made with chigiri-e (torn-paper collage)
These are hina dolls made with a torn-paper collage that you can create with a very simple process.
First, glue the faces of the Empress (Ohinasama) and the Emperor (Odairisama) onto a long, triangular base to make the foundation.
Next, tear origami paper into small pieces—pink for the Empress, blue for the Emperor, or other colors that match their kimonos.
Then spread glue on the base and stick the torn pieces of origami onto it, piece by piece, and you’re done.
Using different colors and patterns of origami will bring out each doll’s personality and make it even more fun!
hishimochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake for Hinamatsuri)
When it comes to the three-colored Japanese sweets essential for the Peach Festival on March 3, hishimochi comes to mind.
The red layer of hishimochi symbolizes peach blossoms, the white represents snow, and the green stands for fresh spring greenery.
Let’s make this colorful hishimochi with origami! It adds a nice accent to your Hinamatsuri decorations.
First, make the base for the hishimochi.
Next, fold the three colored parts using red, white, and green origami paper.
Assemble each piece and attach them to the base to finish.
Displaying it together with your Hina dolls will create a festive, elegant Hinamatsuri atmosphere.
Enjoy decorating in your own style!
hina stand
Here’s how to make the display stand (hina-dai) needed when decorating with Hina dolls.
First, fold a sheet of origami paper into a triangle to create a crease along the diagonal.
Fold all four corners toward the center, then make a single crease from each edge toward the middle.
Fold again toward those crease lines to reinforce them.
Once you’ve added creases across the whole sheet, open the paper back up until only the two corners along the diagonal remain folded.
At the folded corners, fold along the first crease closest to you.
For the two corners that are not folded, add diagonal creases, then fold them toward the center again.
Apply glue to each corner to secure them, adjust the shape, and you’re done.
Make two of these and glue them together to create a stand where both the Empress (Ohinasama) and the Emperor (Odairisama) can sit side by side!
folding screen
If you’re making the Emperor and Empress dolls with origami for Hinamatsuri, adding a folding screen will make the display even more splendid.
You only need two sheets of gold origami paper, so give it a try! First, stack the two sheets and fold them in an accordion (zigzag).
Cut one end with scissors.
Open them up and simply connect the two pieces.
Because it’s accordion-folded, it can stand on its own! You can use it both flat and as a 3D piece, so be sure to include it in your Hinamatsuri decorations.
paper lantern (especially small decorative festival lantern)
Let’s make bonbori lanterns out of origami to complement the Ohina-sama and Odairi-sama! You can create one lantern from a single sheet of origami paper.
The key is to make crisp, well-defined creases as you fold.
There are a few slightly tricky steps, but please take your time, enjoy the process, and fold carefully while chatting together—especially great for seniors.
Try changing the color palette or using patterned paper for a lovely finish.
If kept flat, it works as a wall decoration; if set upright, it can be displayed standing.
Being able to decorate according to your space is part of the charm!
Stick Hina Dolls
This is a Hina doll display you can make with origami and stick-like craft sticks, similar to ice cream sticks.
First, fold one piece of origami paper cut to 5 cm × 13 cm and two pieces cut to 1 cm × 5 cm in half, then glue them together with a slight offset.
Next, wrap them around a stick to shape them once, and glue them on as if dressing the figure in a kimono.
Also prepare hair ornaments, a fan, and a crown made from origami.
Attach these with glue to create the Empress (Ohinasama) and Emperor (Odairisama).
Make a tiered stand with red origami, insert the sticks, and you’ll have a sturdy, splendid Hina doll display that stands firmly!
Heart Hina Doll Wreath
How about a heart-shaped Hina doll wreath that turns out very cute and festive? Place the Princess (Ohinasama) and Prince (Odairisama) in the center of the wreath, and arrange heart shapes around them! Since you’ll be making several parts, it’s also great for group crafting during a day-service activity.
First, make heart-shaped pieces from origami and assemble them into a wreath.
Next, fold flowers and Hina dolls with origami and decorate! The wreath base will look lovely whether you change the colors or mix in patterned papers.
It will instantly give your room a spring-like feel, so give it a try!