Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun Craft Ideas for Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day)

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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.

[Childcare] Fun Hinamatsuri craft ideas (31–40)

Cherry blossoms made with newspaper stamps

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7337511024360213768

Let’s make use of familiar materials! I’ll show you an idea for creating cherry blossoms using a newspaper stamp.

You’ll need drawing paper, crayons, newspaper, paint, and a paper plate.

First, use crayons to draw the cherry tree trunk on the drawing paper.

Next, put some paint on the paper plate.

A single color looks nice, but I recommend using two colors so you can enjoy the way they blend.

Finally, pick up some paint with a crumpled piece of newspaper and dab it onto the paper—stamp, stamp—and you’ll have a tree full of cherry blossoms!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

patterned drawing paper

Let’s try making a hanging Hina decoration out of construction paper.

First, cut and paste construction paper and patterned paper to create your motifs.

Try using the patterned paper for parts like the Hina dolls’ kimonos.

Next, once you have all your motifs ready, stretch a thread taut and lay it on your work surface, then layer the motifs along the thread.

At this stage, decide what goes where.

After that, simply tape the string and motifs together to finish.

You could probably make an origami version of the hanging Hina in the same way, too.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

paper fan

<Origami> Cute and Easy! Paper Fan

paper fan

If you decorate with cute paper fans, your room will be bright and festive.

A paper fan is a decorative item made of paper folded in an accordion shape.

You often see them at party venues.

Let’s adapt this to a Hinamatsuri-themed design and finish it up.

Try using washi patterns that reflect Japanese history or red paper that evokes Hinamatsuri.

By the way, if a hole ends up forming in the center, you can fix it by attaching a backing sheet on the reverse side.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

yo-yo quilt

[100-Yen DIY] Easy Hanging Decoration: Yo-Yo Quilt Made from Square Fabric

yo-yo quilt

How about incorporating yo-yo quilting? Yo-yo quilting is a patchwork technique where you combine circular pieces of fabric to create a drawstring-pouch-like look.

It’s so beautiful that it’s often compared to flowers, and displaying it can brighten up your room.

Gather fabrics you like—such as traditional Japanese patterns—and give it a try.

Whether your yo-yo quilt turns out well depends on the placement of your stitches.

Refer to videos or books and have a go.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

No-sew felt decorations

[No-Sew] Cut, paste, and make it! How to make a felt hanging decoration / Hinamatsuri DIY / How to make a felt spring garland

No-sew felt decorations

Let’s try making something with felt.

Felt is a warm, cozy material, but you might think it’s a bit challenging because it usually involves sewing.

However, with this idea you can finish everything by cutting and gluing without using a needle, so even those who aren’t confident at sewing can give it a try.

You simply cut the felt to create parts and then glue them together, and the fact that you can keep making more and more is part of the fun.

Try creating various motifs like birds, flowers, and hishimochi.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Childcare] Fun Hina Matsuri Craft Ideas (41–50)

Hanging ornaments

Hina dolls made with paper cups (Art Fun Squad vol. 31: Hanging decorations for the Peach Festival)

Hanging ornaments

This is a hanging Hina doll decoration made by stacking two paper cups.

Leave the first cup as is, place it upside down (rim down), and decorate it with masking tape or similar.

On the second cup, make deep slits at two opposite points and open it up, then cover the entire surface with origami paper.

Cut a slit in the bottom of the second cup and insert the Hina doll face made from construction paper.

Place the cup with the face over the first cup, thread a string through so it can be hung, and it’s done.

Use your favorite patterned tape or origami to create a unique piece!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

roly-poly toy

Can you tell which character it is? A roly-poly toy. #IndoorPlay #ParentChildPlay #Crafts #HandmadeToy #BalloonPlay

roly-poly toy

This is a roly-poly Hina doll that adorably sways back and forth.

Dress a paper cup in a kimono made from origami, then attach toothpicks to the faces of the Empress and Emperor and insert them into the center of the cup’s bottom.

Next, stick some clay onto the bottom half of a capsule toy capsule and close the lid.

After that, simply place the paper-cup Hina doll over the capsule.

It’s a super handy craft idea that can be adapted to anything just by changing the character on top, so be sure to use it for various seasons!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

We’ve introduced some craft ideas for Hinamatsuri.

From cute hina dolls to flat designs and lively three-dimensional ones, they’re all the kinds of projects that make you feel excited and happy just looking at them.

Choose ideas that suit your children’s ages and stages of development, and try making them together.

If you display the pieces you make together each year, you’ll be able to feel your children’s growth and create wonderful memories—without a doubt.

Wishing you a fun Hinamatsuri.