![[Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for the event](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/q-ksgJzh2ag/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for the event
On March 3rd, the Peach Festival (Hinamatsuri) is a day when many preschools and kindergartens likely enjoy Hinamatsuri-themed activities, such as displaying or making Hina dolls.
It’s a great opportunity for children to experience a traditional event, so try planning Hinamatsuri activities that are both fun and educational.
Having children participate will help deepen their understanding of Hinamatsuri as well.
In this article, we’ve gathered ideas for activities that children can enjoy.
We’re introducing a wide range of ideas—from ones that teachers can join in on together, to ones that let children play and have fun.
Please use these as a reference.
[Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Perfect Performance Ideas for Events (1–10)
Let’s make chirashi sushi!
I think many families eat chirashi sushi for the Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri).
So as a Hinamatsuri activity, let’s try making chirashi sushi! It’s great to cook it for real, but the preparation and hygiene can be a lot of work.
Here, we introduce an idea for completing a chirashi sushi using parts made from construction paper and similar materials.
Use a picture of a sushi tub with rice as the base, and use a sponge dipped in paint to represent pink fish flakes (denbu).
Then paste on illustrations of lotus root, shrimp, snow peas, shredded omelet, and more.
Explain the meanings of the ingredients as you go, and try making a delicious chirashi sushi.
Riddle Hinamatsuri
If you’re holding a Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) party, how about having fun with riddles that all the children can join in? To make it visually enjoyable, you could pose questions using handmade hina dolls—the Empress and Emperor figures.
Try creating content about things kids are likely to know, such as the flowers displayed and the sweets eaten during Hinamatsuri.
If making riddles is difficult, turn them into a quiz or look for good questions in riddle books or on websites.
Many children love riddles, so it’s sure to be a hit.
Hinamatsuri Target Game
Recommended for all ages! Here’s a target-throwing game idea inspired by Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival).
Place illustrations of Hina dolls with point values inside a hula hoop, and use tape to make balls stick to the targets.
Once the target is ready, hang the hula hoop from the ceiling.
You can compete in teams, or in smaller groups like at a preschool, play individually.
It’s also great because you can adjust the throwing distance and the hoop height to match different ages.
Give this hula-hoop-and-tape target game a try!
Hinamatsuri Beanbag Toss Game
Here’s a recommended Hina Matsuri party game: the Hina Matsuri ball-toss.
It’s a game where you throw balls made by crumpling construction paper into paper cups decorated as the male and female hina dolls.
The winner is whoever gets the most balls into the cups.
If you have a large group, you can make more cups to make it even more exciting.
Another fun rule is to see who can knock the male and female dolls off their paper stands the fastest.
All you need to make it are paper cups and construction paper, so be sure to craft it and give it a try!
Dance: Happy Hinamatsuri
How about enjoying a dance to the classic Hinamatsuri song “Ureshii Hinamatsuri”? It’s a gentle, relaxed-tempo tune with very simple choreography! Even on first try, children can have fun joining in if someone demonstrates the dance.
If adults are performing it as a skit, why not wear costumes like the Emperor and Empress dolls or the three court ladies, and dance with props such as fans? It would surely make for a very graceful performance.
Please feel free to use this as a reference!
Hinamatsuri Panel Theater
How about enjoying a panel theater themed around Hinamatsuri on March 3? When we think of Hinamatsuri, the image of displaying Hina dolls is very strong, but do you know the roles of the figures who surround the Emperor and Empress dolls? Through the panel theater, let’s learn why the Three Court Ladies and the Five Musicians are there and what roles they play.
Try incorporating not only the dolls but also traditional items associated with Hinamatsuri—like hishi-mochi—into the story.
Hinamatsuri Hand-Play Medley
Here’s an introduction to fingerplay songs perfect for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day).
You can enjoy songs like “We Had a Wedding,” “Congratulations, Hinamatsuri,” and “Happy Hinamatsuri.” Feel free to use them as an opener for Hinamatsuri crafts or as one of the activities at a Hinamatsuri party.
Each fingerplay song is short and simple, making them enjoyable for children across a wide age range.
You can also learn various things about the meaning of the Hinamatsuri event and the tiered doll display.
Some lyrics include words that children may not be familiar with, so consider explaining them as you enjoy the songs together.