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[For Preschoolers & Kids] Game, Play, and Craft Ideas to Enjoy on Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)

[For Preschoolers & Kids] Game, Play, and Craft Ideas to Enjoy on Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)

Last updated:2026/3/10

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival.

Some preschools and kindergartens include it as one of their traditional events, and some families may be thinking of celebrating it at home.

We’d love for children to become fond of Hinamatsuri culture while enjoying its festive atmosphere.

So this time, we’re introducing a collection of Hinamatsuri-themed activities, games, and craft ideas that can be enjoyed at preschools and children’s groups.

Every idea is something kids will love.

Adults, please enjoy the traditional festival together with the children as well.

[For childcare and children] Game, play, and craft ideas to enjoy on Hinamatsuri (1–10)

Hand Play: Hinamatsuri • Clap and Open (Musunde Hiraite)

Chiko Onee-san’s Hand Play: “Hinamatsuri / Musunde Hiraite”

Hand Play: Hinamatsuri • Clap and Open (Musunde Hiraite)

Let’s try playing “Musunde Hiraite,” a hand game familiar to children, arranged in a Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) version! After singing the regular “Musunde Hiraite,” add gestures for the flutes and drums of the five court musicians.

At the end, place your hands on your knees and finish gracefully, just like the Ohinasama dolls! Of course, it could be fun to switch to any instruments you like.

This is recommended for Hinamatsuri events or to play at home, so please give it a try!

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Hina Ring Toss

[★UF Rec] #27 Ring Toss Hinamatsuri Activity “Hina-Wanage” — Let’s create a recreation that everyone can enjoy, from children to seniors —

Hina Ring Toss

Many daycare centers, kindergartens, and kids’ clubs hold events for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).

If you’re looking for an activity, we recommend “Hina Ring Toss”! This game is great because people of all ages can enjoy it.

Line up pins made by wrapping plastic bottles with paper illustrated with Hina dolls, and earn points by tossing rings and landing them on the pins.

You can also add bonus points depending on the type of pin.

As a variation, we recommend decorating a tiered Hina display with the pins you’ve won as the game progresses.

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Kamikishibai: Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri — Reaction Picture-Story Show — The Girls’ Festival

Kamikishibai: Hinamatsuri

If you’re looking for an activity for Hinamatsuri events at daycare centers or kindergartens, kamishibai (paper theater) is highly recommended! It gives children a chance to learn about the origins of Hinamatsuri and offers adults a good opportunity to relearn as well.

While making a kamishibai by hand may take a bit of effort, it can nurture children’s imagination and empathy, so why not actively incorporate it? Kamishibai also facilitates communication between the reader and the audience, so it will get conversations flowing between teachers and children!

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Hinamatsuri Musical Chairs

Musical chairs

Hinamatsuri Musical Chairs

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with musical chairs! It’s a classic recreation game that’s fun no matter the era.

That said, since it’s the Doll Festival, it’d be nice to tie in some themed ideas—like having everyone wear small, festive costumes, or letting the winner eat hina-arare.

In the end, musical chairs needs music anyway, so the easiest option might be to prepare some Hinamatsuri-style BGM.

Have fun, everyone!

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Let’s make Hina dolls with origami

Origami Hina Doll: Easy Folding Method — Origami Japanese Kimono Doll Tutorial (niceno1)

Let's make Hina dolls with origami

Perfect for making Hina dolls for Hinamatsuri at daycare centers, kindergartens, or at home! These Hina dolls are made with origami.

The folding steps for both the Empress (Ohinasama) and the Emperor (Odairisama) are the same up to a certain point, so they’re easy to make.

With few folds and a simple process, they still end up with a beautiful silhouette.

For the finishing touches, cut another sheet of origami paper to create the Empress’s hair and the Emperor’s crown and add them on.

You can also make a scepter, crown, and fan out of gold origami to create an even more splendid set of Hina dolls—give it a try!

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[Production] Braided Basket Ornament

@an_hoiku_seisaku
I used pink and light green construction paper inspired by hishi mochi. It’s perfect as a take-home craft! Give it a try!#Childcare Crafting #HinamatsuriCraft #Production Video March Hina Dolls
♬ cute kawaii – nanaacom

You can make a woven basket with a paper plate! Here’s a cute craft for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).

First, cut two colors of construction paper into long, thin strips.

Cut a thin vertical slit in the center of the paper plate.

Weave the construction paper strips through the slits in the plate, alternating over and under.

From the second strip onward, reverse the over-under pattern.

When you’ve finished weaving all the strips, gather the protruding ends together, staple them, trim off the part above the staples, and attach a handle.

Staple a thin strip of construction paper as the handle, and since the staples can be sharp, cover them with clear tape for safety.

Decorate with hina dolls and other embellishments, and you’re done!

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Hishimochi Stacking Game

Here’s a fun and thrilling Hishimochi stacking game where you’ll be on the edge of your seat, wondering if you can stack and display the hishimochi without it toppling over.

Using diamond-shaped pieces cut from cardboard and a hishimochi stand made from toilet paper rolls, you stack the hishimochi in color order on the stand.

Space to place the pieces is limited, and the only support for the stand is the toilet paper rolls.

It’s a game that really tests your care and concentration—onlookers will feel the suspense too! The hishimochi pieces are made sturdy with thick paper.

By using colored tape, you can both secure the shape of each piece and add the mochi colors.

It’s a perfect game for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) events.

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