[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 (Girls’ Day) Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (51–60)
Three-dimensional wall-mounted Hina doll displayNEW!
The three-dimensional wall-hanging Hina doll decoration is an origami piece that, while adorably stylized, still conveys the essence of traditional Hina dolls.
You cut and glue the origami paper for each part to create the faces and kimonos.
A key point is shaping the sleeves into rings to give them a soft, voluminous finish.
By mounting the pieces on construction paper, you can hang the work directly on the wall, adding festive depth and color to the space as a seasonal decoration.
With thoughtful choices of expressions and colors, the impression changes, making it a subtle yet striking origami idea you can enjoy as a work with presence.
Hina doll chopstick restNEW!
These are chopstick rests made from origami Hina dolls that can also serve as indoor decorations.
Using washi-patterned origami paper brings out even more of the Hina-doll atmosphere.
Origami crafts can be done while sitting in a chair and chatting with those around you.
It’s nice to fold them while talking with seniors about past Hina Matsuri festivals—it might really get the conversation going.
How about using them as chopstick rests for a Hina Matsuri party held at a facility? You can make both the Emperor and Empress dolls and enjoy displaying them as decorations on a small table or shelf.
Three-dimensional Hina dolls made of paperNEW!
These Hina dolls are striking for their beaming smiles.
Although they’re three-dimensional, you can make them using tissue paper and construction paper.
Create the Emperor and Empress’s faces and the ornaments above their heads with construction paper.
Draw the facial features with a pen, or make them from construction paper or origami.
Form the base with strips of construction paper and crumpled tissue paper, then attach the face pieces to finish.
Since this craft uses lots of fine hand movements, it’s a fun activity for seniors that also exercises the fingertips and may offer brain-training benefits.
Hinamatsuri dolls made with paper cups and origamiNEW!
These are Hina dolls made by attaching construction paper or origami to paper cups.
Since there are many gluing steps, it looks like a craft that can also help exercise the fingers.
It may also help cultivate concentration.
By using origami in various colors and patterns, each older adult can create a piece that overflows with individual personality.
Make the Emperor and Empress dolls and seat them on a stand to complete a lovely Hina display.
As they work, older adults may also sense the coming of spring.
Talking about traditions related to the Peach Festival is likely to make for a lively time with older adults.
[For Seniors] Hinamatsuri Recreation: Fun Ideas for Games, Crafts, and Snack-Making (61–70)
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.
Hina decorations made of feltNEW!
This Hina doll decoration made of felt features gently swaying ornaments as its highlight.
By using plum blossoms and traditional Japanese-patterned fabrics, it’s likely to be a piece that will delight elderly people.
Draw a semicircle on copy paper or similar using a compass to create a fan shape.
Cut out thick paper, felt, and fabric to match this pattern to make a backing, then finish it with yarn (a type of cord).
Finally, add decorations such as flowers made from felt and fabric, and attach the hanging, swaying ornaments.
It’s a Hina Matsuri decoration that brightens up a space just by being displayed—give it a try!
Origami Hina DollsNEW!
Let’s make the parts for the kimono, face, hair, hair ornament, and fan, and complete the Hina doll.
Use Japanese-pattern origami paper for the kimono.
Cut out a triangle at the center, attach the collar on the back, then fold it into a triangle.
Fold up both corners, then fold them back parallel.
Open the origami once and refold so that the bottom corner splits into two layers.
Fold the top of these two layers upward toward the back and pass it through the triangular opening to form the neck.
Next, fold in the left and right sides to make the sleeves, and fold the remaining bottom corner up to the back to finish the kimono! Make the remaining parts and complete your Hina doll.
