[For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack Making
How about some recreation ideas for older adults to enjoy during the Hinamatsuri season? We’ve handpicked ideas that naturally get the mind and body moving while having fun—such as seated games like target practice and bowling with Hina-doll motifs, shell matching, enjoyable crafts for display, and seasonal snack activities.
These special, season-only events provide positive stimulation for physical and cognitive functions in older adults.
Enjoy time filled with smiles while chatting with those around you.
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[For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (71–80)
Hinamatsuri Balance Game
Here’s an introduction to a fun game that lets you enjoy edge-of-your-seat excitement while keeping everything balanced.
Prepare a setup by placing a sheet of paper on top of a paper tube made by rolling up a sheet of paper.
On the top sheet, carefully place one piece each of the Emperor and Empress figures themed for Hinamatsuri, arranging them with balance in mind.
Because you have to think as you place each piece, it can also serve as brain training.
It can be played on a table, so you can enjoy it while seated.
It seems suitable for many older adults to try.
Try making the tube by rolling construction paper, and create a small platform for the pieces using Japanese-patterned origami.
Hina Decoration Game
Many of you have probably arranged Hina dolls for your children or grandchildren.
For those people, this Hina Display Game might give you an edge! Compete to see who can arrange the Hina dolls the fastest and most accurately.
We recommend making the dolls and stands out of paper cups and construction paper.
Keep a sample arrangement nearby and line them up while looking at it.
Even if you can place the Emperor and Empress, actually arranging the three court ladies and the five musicians can get a bit confusing.
It’s a perfect brain-training game—challenging even for those who already know the correct layout and might still make mistakes while looking at the sample!
Hina-arare passing relay
Many eldercare facilities may be planning Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) events in March.
Here’s a recommended game for large-group recreational activities.
Using an otama (ladle), participants scoop and relay Hinamatsuri rice crackers (hina-arare).
You can use real hina-arare, but considering they might be dropped, it could be better to use paper versions.
First, a staff member scoops the hina-arare with the ladle, passes them to an older adult, and the group transports them in relay format.
If you have a large group, turning it into a team competition will make it even more exciting.
It’s a seated game, so people who use wheelchairs or have difficulty standing can also participate.
Jūnihitoe Completion Game
Let’s all work together to transform the day-service staff and family members into an Ohinasama and Odairisama wearing junihitoe! Some of you may have experience dressing people in kimono, but when it comes to the junihitoe, the level of difficulty is on a whole different scale.
Because multiple layers of robes must be worn, it’s quite a task not only for the person being dressed but also for the person doing the dressing.
Still, if we cooperate, we’ll be fine! As you enjoy the process, imagine people in the Heian period going through the same kind of effort.
Hina-arare scooping
When it comes to March, we think of the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival).
Many senior care facilities probably hold Hina Matsuri events, don’t they? This time, we’re sharing “Hina Matsuri recreation” ideas that we recommend even for busy staff.
Events and recreational activities can sometimes require a lot of prep work, like making things in advance.
However, there are also activities you can prepare on the day.
With a bit of creativity, you can have fun with games like crumpling newspaper into balls or playing a daruma-otoshi style game using stacked tissue boxes.
For activities that do need advance preparation, try using items you’ve made before or repurposing familiar materials like milk cartons.
We hope these ideas help you spend enjoyable time with the seniors.
[Hand Play] Dandelion Pop-Pon
![[Hand Play] Dandelion Pop-Pon](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G7yfnVs-iSQ/hqdefault.jpg)
This is a spring hand-play song using beanbags, perfect for Hinamatsuri.
The game of tossing the beanbags from the basket into the air and then returning them to the basket in time with the song is simple, which is exactly why it’s so captivating.
Listen carefully to the song, memorize it, and be sure to sing along while you play.
fashion show
As a recreational activity, it can be a lot of fun to put on a fashion show wearing traditional Japanese attire like the hina doll princess and prince.
Since we don’t often get the chance to wear kimono, why not take this opportunity? Because it’s for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), using items like hats or a ceremonial baton in hand will really set the mood!
