For Seniors: Simple and Fun Hina Matsuri Crafts—An Idea Collection Using Various Materials
As Hinamatsuri approaches, you might feel like adding a touch of springtime brightness to your room.
That’s why we recommend easy Hinamatsuri crafts you can enjoy casually.
We’ll share ideas for items like hanging ornaments and tabletop decorations that you can make using various materials such as felt and pompoms.
Many of them can be finished without sewing, letting you savor the seasonal tradition while keeping your hands busy—a delightful bonus.
Once you display your finished pieces, the space will instantly feel brighter.
Be sure to enjoy some conversation together as you try your hand at crafts brimming with the colors of spring.
[For Seniors] Simple and Fun Hinamatsuri Crafts: A Collection of Ideas Using Various Materials (1–10)
Yarn Winding Hina DollsNEW!
Let’s try making hina dolls by winding yarn around cardboard.
This craft also seems suitable for hand and fingertip training for older adults.
Take cardboard cut into the shape of a hina doll and wind yarn around it from top to bottom.
It will end up looking like the layered robes (junihitoe) that hina dolls wear.
Because it’s yarn, the more you wind, the more plump and three-dimensional it becomes, enhancing the doll’s cuteness.
Attach yarn for the hair, draw the face, and it’s complete.
It’s a versatile craft: you can mount it on a backing sheet or use it as a part for hanging decorations.
No-Sew Easy Hina Doll DecorationsNEW!
It looks like an easy project to make by applying chirimen fabric to craft bands that are even sold at 100-yen shops.
Wrap the craft bands with two types of chirimen fabric—patterned and solid-colored.
Since you attach them with glue, it’s a recommended project even for those who aren’t good at sewing.
Tie the craft bands covered with chirimen fabric together.
Add the face and hair, and it’s complete.
Some older adults may feel that handicrafts using needles or sewing machines are difficult.
With this project, many seniors might find it easier to try.
Roly-poly Hina dollNEW!
These wobbling dolls are adorable okiagari-koboshi-style Hina dolls.
You can easily make the wobbling mechanism using paper cups.
Create the Emperor and Empress with construction paper or origami, then attach them to paper cups cut to the right size, and you’re done.
Because they sway, these Hina dolls seem like something older adults could enjoy even after making them.
They also look cute displayed on a table or shelf.
Templates for the Emperor and Empress are available online, so using those can make the process easy and casual.
Three-tier display: rabbit Hina dollsNEW!
Tiered Hina doll displays are gorgeous and impressive, aren’t they? These days, you don’t see as many tiered Hina sets, but in the past, many households of older generations likely displayed them.
Here is a three-tiered rabbit Hina doll set that lets you look back on those memories.
Use craft decoration balls and felt to make the Hina dolls.
Attach wrapping paper with peach blossoms or pink flowers to a display stand sold at 100-yen shops.
Then place the dolls you made—along with the three court ladies and hishi-mochi—on top to complete the display.
Making them as rabbits gives the set an even cuter feel.
Kururinpa: Cute and elegant Hina dolls for adultsNEW!
This is an interesting craft made by threading the fabric through a slit.
Attach a Japanese-patterned fabric with adhesive on the back to a rectangular piece of felt.
It might be nice to choose patterns that resemble the Emperor (Odairi-sama) and Empress (Ohina-sama).
Cut a slit in the fabric, then loop the fabric and pass it through the slit.
Add a pearl bead to the threaded side to complete the Empress.
You can create a simple yet tasteful pair of Emperor and Empress figures.
The finished pieces can be displayed at a facility or taken home to decorate an older adult’s room.
Handmade Hina decorations made of feltNEW!
Felt crafts have a soft, fluffy touch that gives a sense of warmth.
Hina decorations made from felt would suit the atmosphere of the Peach Festival.
You can also use chirimen fabric to make the Emperor and Empress dolls.
Make two bases as well, and add peach blossoms made of felt or chirimen fabric.
If you attach a string, you can hang it on the wall, or you can paste it onto a backing board.
Using artificial flowers—like the ones sold at 100-yen shops—for the blossoms would also result in a lovely piece.
Enjoy creating it while chatting with seniors and having fun arranging the design.
Easy Hina decorations with 100-yen shop materialsNEW!
You can make cute Hina decorations using familiar items.
For example, a round box that holds cheese.
If you remove the bottom part, you’ll get a ring.
You can use that to make a Hina display.
Attach pink masking tape to the ring and make holes with an awl.
Thread yarn alone, or yarn with beads, through the ring using a yarn darning needle.
Make the dolls with round stickers, and you’re done.
Using transparent origami paper also looks cute.
How about making them while chatting with seniors about memories of Hina Matsuri?