[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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Hinamatsuri Activities for Seniors: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (21–30)
Hanging ornament of an origami kusudamaNEW!
A colorful kusudama hanging decoration made from origami in various colors is perfect for displaying around Hina dolls! First, fold the origami in half vertically, then fold both sides toward the crease you made and unfold.
Next, fold two corners on a diagonal into small triangles.
Then again, fold both sides toward the initial center crease.
From the short edge, fold toward the center to make a triangle, and tuck the folded section inside.
Once you’ve made all the necessary creases, one kusudama unit is complete! Make many of these units and assemble them to form the kusudama.
Thread a string through it and hang it from a wooden board to display.
Hanging ornaments of oshie-style Hina dollsNEW!
This is a hanging ornament made using the oshie technique, which creates dimensional pictures by layering pieces of fabric.
You attach various decorations—such as the Empress and Emperor dolls and plum blossoms—to a core, separating them into parts and sticking them on in order.
Once the pieces are finished, connect them with strings and assemble them onto the base to complete it! Using chirimen crepe fabric adds a traditional Japanese feel.
Attach a string to the base and display it on a wall or door.
You can enjoy arranging the decorations and their placement as you like, resulting in a highly original piece.
[For Seniors] Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (31–40)
Hanging ornaments of plum blossoms and Japanese bush warblersNEW!
As spring approaches, plum blossom and bush warbler hanging ornaments are lovely items that let you enjoy a spring atmosphere indoors.
Fold 7.5 cm square origami paper in half twice to make a triangle.
After folding so the triangle is divided into three equal parts, draw petal shapes and cut them out with scissors.
Open it up, attach patterns made with a hole punch, add slits, and you’ll have a three-dimensional plum blossom.
For the bush warbler, use four types of origami in different colors and sizes.
Draw and cut out the body, wings, and beak for each.
Once all the parts are assembled, attach them to a paper cord along with the plum blossoms, and you’re done! It’s very easy to make, so give it a try.
No-sew felt hanging decorationNEW!
The no-sew felt hanging ornaments are lovely pieces that give a warm, cozy feel.
Use 5.5 cm × 4 cm felt and chirimen fabric scraps to make small birds.
Adding metallic yarn creates a neat accent and makes them look festive.
For the eyes, simply paint rhinestones black for an easy solution.
Use small pieces of pink, white, and green felt to make hishi-mochi, and use small oval felt pieces and chirimen scraps to make zori sandals.
After crafting three-dimensional cherry blossoms, use a bamboo skewer and embroidery thread to assemble them into hanging ornaments.
Soft-colored felt and chirimen fabrics blend well with interior decor, so they’re recommended.
Give it a try!
Hanging Hina decorations made with ring garlandsNEW!
This is a Hina display that makes clever use of paper chains.
Speaking of paper chains, they’re a classic decoration that everyone has made at least once, right? Let’s try creating a project that incorporates some ingenuity using those chains! Use circular-cut, traditional-patterned chiyogami to make the Empress (Ohina-sama) and Emperor (Odairi-sama).
Add accessories like fans and crowns, and draw in their faces.
The key to making plum blossoms is to crumple the paper first—this transforms them into lovely, three-dimensional decorations.
After you make tachibana, cherry blossoms, and round ornaments, attach them to a paper chain made from two colors of origami.
To create a richly colored display, it’s a good idea to use various colors of origami and aim for a vibrant look.
Rabbit Hinamatsuri decorationNEW!
Crafts featuring rabbits are so cute, aren’t they? They’re a perfect motif for Hinamatsuri crafts, too.
Prepare origami paper with colors or patterns on both sides.
Make some slits and create a donut-shaped ring.
Make a rabbit’s face and attach it on top of the ring.
Add decorations to the rabbit like those of hina dolls.
Try adding items such as the imperial prince’s shaku or the imperial princess’s open fan.
Adding lace around the neck will make it even cuter.
Older adults are sure to smile as they create these adorable rabbit crafts.
A roly-poly Hina dollNEW!
Let’s make adorable, round hina dolls.
Inflate a small balloon, then paste shoji paper around it using the papier-mâché method.
Use glue thinned with water as the adhesive.
Once it’s dry, pop the balloon and remove it, then glue a marble to the bottom as a weight.
After putting a lid on, cover the surface with fabric to finish shaping it into a hina doll.
Use beads for the eyes, gold cord for the hair ornament, and finally give it a fan to hold—and it’s complete! Because it’s a roly-poly doll, it’s easy to display anywhere.
