[Childcare] Fun Craft Ideas for Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day)
When you think of Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), many people probably picture hina dolls.
Some kindergartens and nurseries make hina dolls together with the children in the lead-up to the festival.
This time, we’ve gathered ideas for making hina dolls.
Many can be made with familiar materials like paper cups and origami, so be sure to try them at school or at home.
Customize the colors and designs to create a one-of-a-kind, original hina doll!
Make lots and enjoy a bright and festive Hinamatsuri.
Because children’s creations are treated as works, we use the term “制作” (production/creation) in the text.
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[Childcare] Fun Hinamatsuri Craft Ideas (1–10)
Confectionery boxNEW!
An easy craft to include for Hinamatsuri is a “candy box” you can make with a single sheet of origami paper.
To create the right atmosphere, we recommend using Japanese-patterned paper.
Start by placing the white side up and folding it into a triangle.
Open it, refine the shape, and the key is to reveal the pattern by flipping sections as if turning pages.
There are some detailed steps, but the work itself is simple, so proceed while checking each step one by one.
Once the shape is set, carefully open it so the creases don’t come undone.
Adjust it into a box shape and it’s complete.
You can also fill the finished candy box with hina-arare, making it fun to enjoy even after you’ve finished making it.
Hina dolls made with yarn
Here’s a craft project for making Hina dolls with yarn and cardboard.
First, cut the cardboard into a fan-shaped Hina doll.
Make four small slits at the bottom of the fan, then tape the end of the yarn to the back with cellophane tape.
Using the grooves of the cardboard at the top of the fan, wrap the yarn diagonally five times.
Cross over and wrap five more times.
Tape the end of the yarn to the back.
Do the same with a different yarn, wrapping until the doll’s shoulders are covered.
Tape the end of the yarn to the back, decorate the doll’s face, and you’re done! It’s also cute to make other decorations from cardboard and string them together.
Hina dolls with dancing cherry blossoms
Here’s an easy and fun craft idea for making Hina dolls with fluttering cherry blossoms! First, use construction paper to make the Empress (Ohinasama) and Emperor (Odairisama).
Once they’re finished, attach them to a fan-shaped base, place them inside a plastic cup, and secure them with tape.
The finished piece will be displayed upside down, so be careful not to attach them the wrong way.
Put some decorative pom-poms inside the plastic cup, then cover the cup with a balloon whose tip has been slightly trimmed—done! When you pull and release the balloon’s mouth, the decorative balls bounce, making it look like cherry blossoms are dancing.
[Childcare] Fun Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) Craft Ideas (11–20)
Hinamatsuri tree
This is a Hinamatsuri tree where the Empress and Emperor dolls sway merrily! Draw your favorite patterns on a paper cup for the base and make a hole in the center of the bottom.
Twist three pipe cleaners together into a bundle, insert them through the hole, and secure them inside the cup.
Shape the ends of the pipe cleaners outside into loops or any shape you like, then hang the Empress and Emperor dolls or peach blossoms with strings from the pipe cleaners to decorate—your tree is complete! Try adding pom-poms or lavish decorations to the paper cup itself to enjoy your own custom arrangement.
Hina dolls made with jelly cups
After you finish eating your favorite jelly, try making Hina dolls using the cups! Prepare the parts—such as the face, hair, and crown—by cutting them out in advance.
Crumple tissue paper in colors that match the images of the Empress (Ohinasama) and the Emperor (Odairisama), place it into each cup, and attach the assembled face parts to the rim of the cup.
Then attach the kimono sleeve parts made by fastening origami into rings, along with the fan and the ritual baton (shaku), to the cups to complete them.
Display them on a nice stand to give a more festive atmosphere—highly recommended!
Fluffy, colorful Hina dolls
Let’s make fluffy, colorful Hina dolls that look very festive when displayed! First, use pastels to draw spirals on paper, then rub over them with a balled-up piece of cotton to tint the cotton.
Make as many as you need in your favorite colors.
Attach Hina dolls and the Emperor doll you made from construction paper or origami to a base, then glue the colored cotton around them to finish! You can use any base you like, but lace paper doilies or paper plates are recommended.
If you want to make it a wall decoration, punch a hole and thread a string through it.
origami
Origami hina dolls and imperial dolls are a classic! You can get origami paper anytime, anywhere, and many people keep some on hand.
In a way, it’s a craft idea that needs almost no prep.
The folding method introduced here makes only the kimono part; you finish by drawing the faces with a pen.
As you’ll see, it’s super simple, so even small children can give it a try.
Plus, use your favorite patterned washi tape to make them even cuter! It’s an easy way to get into the Hinamatsuri spirit.
