Hand-play songs to sing for Hinamatsuri. Songs everyone can enjoy.
With the arrival of spring comes Hinamatsuri, a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for many years.
For Hinamatsuri, there are various songs with festival motifs, including the classic “Ureshii Hinamatsuri.” Among them, songs that incorporate hand play are wonderful recreational tools that let people of all ages enjoy together, using simple finger movements for choreography.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of fun hand-play songs that will make Hinamatsuri even more festive.
We’ve gathered a variety of Hinamatsuri songs, so be sure to check them out!
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Hand-play songs to sing for Hinamatsuri. Songs everyone can enjoy (21–30)
Cute HinamatsuriNEW!Baku-san
When the peach blossoms start to bloom, it’s so exciting to prepare for Hinamatsuri with the children, isn’t it? This work, created by Baku, an active nursery teacher and creative play artist, makes this seasonal event even more fun.
With Baku’s unique perspective—backed by a repertoire of over 500 hand-play songs—the lyrics and movements are crafted to connect naturally.
It’s wonderful that, without complicated explanations, children can feel the atmosphere of the Hina display and the joy of the festival just by moving their hands while singing.
The videos have spread to childcare settings and homes alike, and their easy, copy-at-a-glance format is another reason for their popularity.
Why not try incorporating it into school gatherings or parent–child bonding time at home?
Chira-chira chirashi-zushiNEW!
How about the hand-play song “Chira-chira Chirashi-zushi,” themed on chirashi sushi—everyone’s favorite—for Hinamatsuri, when colorful festive dishes are served? This song is a hand-play number featuring catchy rhythmic repetition and comical movements.
Cute gestures like hiding your face and peeking out, plus the excitement of wondering what comes next, really capture children’s hearts.
Released on a video site, this piece was devised by Baku, who is also an active childcare worker.
It’s easy to use as an introduction to seasonal events, and it’s great fun to play together in sync.
Perfect not only for parties at preschool but also for time at home—be sure to give it a try with everyone!
The Five Mimicking MusiciansNEW!
The five court musicians bring lively energy to the hinadan display, but we rarely get a chance to learn in detail about each one’s instrument and role.
This piece is a eurhythmics song you can enjoy by mimicking the movements of the Five Musicians.
Even without complicated explanations, it’s wonderful that simply moving your body helps you naturally remember the roles of all five.
It’s perfect not only for Hinamatsuri parties at nurseries and kindergartens, but also for playtime at home.
By not just listening but actually expressing with your body, traditional festivities will feel much closer to you.
How about syncing your breathing together and becoming a cool ensemble of Five Musicians?
Five Court MusiciansNEW!
Among the Hina Doll display, the Gonin Bayashi—five court musicians—liven up the Emperor and Empress with music.
Do you know a fingerplay song that lets children enjoyably learn their roles? Created by Baku, an active nursery teacher, this piece teaches by having kids express the instruments the Gonin Bayashi hold using their bodies.
The structure, which imitates the singer, the flute, and the tsuzumi drum shapes, is full of touches that captivate children.
It’s also perfect in childcare settings as an introduction to a Hinamatsuri party.
A tiered display features many dolls, but by mimicking the actions along with the song, children will naturally start wondering, “What does this person do?” A delightful point is that they can join in by becoming part of the band themselves.
As a play activity to brighten the spring festivities, why not enjoy it together with everyone?
The Doll Festival with a Straight FaceNEW!
@shinnosuke.asobitouta425 Hand gamesHand-clapping game videohand play songhand playChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare worker#NurseryTeacherInTrainingChildcare studentNursery School PracticumKindergarten teacher#KindergartenKindergarten TeacherPlayDay off of a nursery school teacherA future kindergarten teacherPlay#Hinamatsuri#Hinamatsuri face playSmug faceA composed face is hard to pull off.
♫ Original song – Shinnosuke Hashimoto – Shinnosuke Hashimoto
This is a hand-play song themed around cute expressions that make you want to imitate them in front of a Hina doll display.
The charm lies in how you can enjoyably express the dignified or angry faces of the Emperor and Empress dolls through hand movements and changes in facial expressions.
It requires no difficult preparation, and you can even play face-to-face while looking at each other, so it’s easy to get small children excited right away.
Why not try making various faces together as a performance at a Hinamatsuri gathering or as a quick recreational activity during short breaks?
Anpanman’s Happy Hinamatsuri
The melody is the classic “Ureshii Hinamatsuri,” but it’s been arranged as a hand-play song by mimicking Anpanman characters.
By changing the final word of the lyrics to “Shokupanman” or “Rollpanna-chan,” the familiar Hinamatsuri song turns into a fun, relatable hand-play tune.
With a song featuring their favorite characters, both girls and boys are sure to get excited.
Hinamatsuri — Sitting Next to Me —
Here’s a hand-play song to cheer up boys who feel down because they think Hinamatsuri is only for girls! On March 3rd, Hinamatsuri Day, the boy becomes the Emperor doll (O-Dairi-sama) and sings a song in which he looks for someone whose name starts with the syllable “O” to sit next to him.
Since it’s Hinamatsuri, the one who should sit beside O-Dairi-sama is, of course, the Empress doll (O-Hina-sama).
But he keeps making mistakes, calling over all kinds of “O” people—like Otōsan (Dad), Obake (a ghost), Osumō-san (a sumo wrestler), and more.
It’s fine to make lots of your own verses by finding more people whose names start with “O”! Just make sure that, in the end, O-Hina-sama sits in the right place next to him!
