[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 Recreational Activities: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack Making (1–10)
Take photos with a Hina doll panel
Haven’t you ever wanted to become the Ohinasama (Empress doll) or Odairisama (Emperor doll) at least once? But actually preparing kimono and getting your hair done is a lot of work, isn’t it? So why not become the Ohinasama or Odairisama using one of those face-in-hole panels you often see at tourist spots? All you have to do is hold up the panel and put your face in, so anyone can enjoy it easily.
If everyone takes photos together while holding the panels, it will surely make for wonderful memories of Hinamatsuri.
Creating cute and chic Hina dolls for adults
Here’s a simple way to make cute Hina dolls.
First, stick fabric tape in the center of a piece of felt, fold 3 cm from one edge, and make a 2 cm slit in the middle.
Use the slit to neatly shape the collar with a little twist, then fold the felt in half and secure it with double-sided tape.
Next, glue on a bead about 1 cm in diameter to represent the head.
After making two figures, craft small accessories from origami, thread them through a large eye bead, and attach them to the dolls to finish.
By playing with colors and accessories, you can create charming, unique Hina dolls.
The process itself is fun, so it’s highly recommended!
Peach Festival Quiz
When we talk about Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival—also known as the Peach Festival—it’s traditionally a celebration for girls, but it has such a spring-like charm that even households without little girls can’t help getting excited.
The elegance of the hina dolls and the spring-like feel of the accessories and displays lift everyone’s spirits.
How about having some fun with a quiz about Hinamatsuri and the Peach Festival? There are probably lots of things you think you know but actually don’t.
Watch a video that compiles quizzes and enjoy lively discussions as everyone works out the answers together.
Hinamatsuri Recreation for Seniors: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (11–20)
Ohinasama Okoshi
Let me introduce a fun game where you use 10 beanbags and throw them at arranged targets! Set up the targets in rows of four in front, then three, then two, and place Hina dolls at the two spots in the very back.
The front row is worth 10 points, the middle row 30 points, and hitting a Hina doll earns a high score of 50 points! It’s enjoyable even with gentle throws, so everyone can take part according to their own strength.
Compete for points individually, or play in teams and aim for the highest total score—either way, it’s sure to be exciting.
Enjoy a Hinamatsuri filled with everyone’s smiles!
Hinamatsuri Curling Game
This is a recreation activity where you can enjoy curling while creating a Hina Doll display.
Paste illustrations of Hina dolls onto paper cups, place a ping-pong ball inside, and use them as curling stones.
Draw lines on the table to form a tiered Hina platform, and decide in advance where each character—such as the Odairi-sama (Emperor), Ohina-sama (Empress), and the three court ladies—should be placed.
Take turns gently sliding the cups and try to stop them at the targeted spots.
Because you need to consider the force and direction, it helps with finger dexterity and concentration.
Cheering each other on, the sense of achievement when a beautiful Hina display is completed is exceptional!
Hinamatsuri cosplay by staff
Staff members transform into Hina dolls and have fun! This is a “serious Hinamatsuri” recreation activity.
It might be nice to dress up as the Emperor and Empress, and depending on the number of people, as the three court ladies or the five musicians.
When the staff make their entrance, the venue fills with smiles.
Coming out a little shyly is also part of the fun.
Try lining up like a real tiered Hina display, or let the participants decide the order—both are recommended.
Taking photos together will make for a wonderful, memorable day.
Enjoy Hinamatsuri together in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Beanbag toss
How about preparing a target shaped like a tiered Hina-doll stand and playing a game where you toss beanbags into baskets? You can make it more exciting by setting rules with different point values—higher points for the hina dolls on the upper tiers and lower points for those on the lower tiers.
It’s a nice bit of arm exercise, and it’s fun to tally up the points, too.
