[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 (91–100)
Hinamatsuri doll wrapping
When it comes to Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), hina-arare are a must.
Why not wrap them in cute “Ohinasama wrapping” and share them with neighbors, friends, or family? It’s very easy to make.
If you use paper with patterns you like, you can create your own original wrapping.
Using washi or chiyogami gives it a lovely feel and really enhances the Hinamatsuri mood, so it’s highly recommended.
Hishimochi Tower Game
This is the “Hishimochi Tower Game,” perfect for the Girls’ Day (Peach Festival).
It’s an easy, sit-at-the-table game, so it’s recommended for older adults.
Cut thick paper in pink, white, and green into strips and form them into rectangles.
You can also use empty milk cartons.
Once they’re ready, stack them like a tower, alternating colors one by one.
If the hishimochi tower falls, you lose.
By the way, the colors of hishimochi are said to represent peach blossoms (pink), snow (white), and fresh greenery (green).
It might be nice to stack them in that order as well.
Since preparation is simple, why not give it a try for the Peach Festival?
[For Seniors] Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (101–110)
Making Strawberry Daifuku
How about making some homemade sweets that are perfect for spring, which arrives with the Doll Festival? It’s amazing that you can make such delicious-looking strawberry daifuku in the microwave.
The ingredients—strawberries, shiratamako (glutinous rice flour), potato starch, and smooth red bean paste—are all easy to find at any supermarket.
Highly recommended for Hinamatsuri cooking.
Making Hinamatsuri Doll Crepes
Let’s make adorable Hina dolls out of crepes.
This video, filmed from the maker’s point of view, is fun to watch on its own.
The method is surprisingly simple, too! On Hinamatsuri, it would be fun to bring out a griddle, cook lots of batter, and throw a Hina Doll Crepe Party.
Making chirashi-sushi cake
This is a “chirashi sushi cake,” perfect for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) events.
Some older adults may have made chirashi sushi at home in the past, don’t you think? Making it at the facility might bring back memories of preparing it at home and sharing it with family.
It’s the kind of activity where you can enjoy the time spent making it—chatting and reminiscing together with others.
For this chirashi sushi, vinegared rice is packed into a round cake mold.
Some seniors may feel unsure about the steps.
But by arranging the ingredients like cake toppings, you’ll create a festive and elegant chirashi sushi.
It’s a chirashi sushi cake that’s perfect for Hinamatsuri.
Whac-A-Mole game
Moles, which usually live underground, also pop their heads out in spring, don’t they? When you think of spring, some people might even say “moles.” How about a whack-a-mole game as a recreation for the Doll’s Festival? You can easily enjoy whack-a-mole using paper cups and chopsticks.
Let’s draw moles on the paper cups.
If the seniors each draw their favorite faces, you’ll end up with lots of uniquely charming moles! You can make the hammer by fixing a chopstick to a paper cup.
When the signal to start is given, let’s whack the moles with the hammer! It’s sure to turn into a heated and fun competition!
Ball Grabbing Game
Let’s play a game where you grab balls using newspaper.
All the tools used in the game are made from newspaper.
Make the balls by crumpling newspaper into a sphere, and make the grabbing sticks out of newspaper as well.
You can create everything you need for the game using everyday materials.
Place several balls inside a circle, grab them with the stick, and put them into a basket.
If you set a time limit, the game gets more exciting.
Forming teams and competing for the best time will make it even more fun.