Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for the event

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.

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] Have fun on Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for events (31–40)

Hina Doll Quiz

March 3 is Hinamatsuri. Here’s a Hina Doll Quiz [10 questions in total].

Hina Doll Quiz

Do you know the meanings of the other ornaments and dolls displayed alongside the Hina dolls? If you take this quiz, you might learn more about Hina displays.

The Hina dolls are accompanied by female attendants who take care of them and a musical troupe that plays music.

As you answer the quiz, let’s share trivia and meanings behind the Hina display.

Before the quiz, introducing a picture book related to the Hina Festival or explaining its origins with a panel theater might help children enjoy and actively participate in the quiz!

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Kamikishibai: Hinamatsuri

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

Kamikishibai: Hinamatsuri

If you’re looking for activities for a Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) event at a daycare or kindergarten, kamishibai (paper theater) is highly recommended! It’s a great way for children to learn about the origins of Hinamatsuri, and a good opportunity for adults to revisit them as well.

Making a kamishibai by hand may take a bit of effort, but it helps nurture children’s imagination and empathy, so why not actively incorporate it? Also, kamishibai encourages communication between the storyteller and the audience, so it will spark lively conversations between teachers and children!

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[Hinamatsuri] Paper Puppet Show

[Demonstration] What’s the origin of Hinamatsuri? A puppetry (paper puppet show) that explains it in a child-friendly way (nursery school event)

[Hinamatsuri] Paper Puppet Show

Many teachers likely incorporate paper puppet theater (peep-show style puppets) into early childhood education.

It’s perfect when you want a dynamic way to communicate with children.

Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) is a traditional Japanese event with various origins and meanings.

So, let’s make a paper puppet show to present it in a way that’s easy for children to understand.

Many children have probably never seen nagashibina, which is the practice that inspired the origin of hina dolls.

It would be great if you could effectively use the puppet show to convey what it’s like.

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[Paper Cup Cracker] Hinamatsuri Beanbag Toss

Have fun with paper cup crackers! Hinamatsuri! Let's play!

[Paper Cup Cracker] Hinamatsuri Beanbag Toss

This is a game where you can enjoy a beanbag toss using a paper cup cracker made from a paper cup and a balloon.

The colorful balls look like little dumplings, and the target boxes are uniquely designed as a hina doll couple with their mouths wide open.

Since the box openings face upward, when you play, create a height difference and shoot the balls from higher to lower.

They fly with a lot of force, so aim carefully! You could also set the openings to face forward instead of upward.

It seems like a game that would be very popular as a Hinamatsuri activity!

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hishi mochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake)

[Hinamatsuri] Celebrate the Peach Festival with Wagashi! Introducing how to make uiro ‘Hishimochi’ (diamond-shaped rice cake). Japanese sweets Wagashi

hishi mochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake)

When it comes to sweets for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day), many people probably think of hishi mochi.

Hishi mochi can be made from various ingredients like sugar and rice cake or even gelatin, but here we’ll try making it with uirō.

Many people may not know what uirō batter is made from, but it’s easy: just mix sugar, joshinko (non-glutinous rice flour), potato starch, and water, then heat it in the microwave.

Color the uirō batter, layer three colors, let it cool, and then slice.

These hishi mochi are as cute as they are delicious—give them a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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[Childcare] Have Fun on Hinamatsuri! Perfect Performance Ideas for Events (41–50)

Hina-arare (colorful rice crackers for Hinamatsuri)

[Hinamatsuri] Perfect for Girls’ Day! Easy with mochi! Crispy and fluffy Hinamatsuri Arare

Hina-arare (colorful rice crackers for Hinamatsuri)

Colorful hina-arare are likely something many people want to include as treats for Hinamatsuri.

Not only are they cute in appearance, but the light, airy sweetness of the sugar when you eat them is sure to be a favorite with children.

Since they are small bite-sized snacks and contain sugar, be cautious when giving them to 0- or 1-year-olds, and consider using baby-friendly hina-arare as a substitute.

Individually packaged hina-arare also make great souvenirs.

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hand play

[Hand Play] 3 Hinamatsuri Hand-Play Songs/Games [Daycare/Kindergarten]

hand play

Why not enjoy hand-play songs with the children using Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) as a motif? A great point about hand-play songs is that even infants in the 0-year-old class can enjoy them.

Children closely watch, listen to, and feel the song’s rhythm, intonation, and hand movements.

Let’s give them plenty of opportunities to experience feelings like fun, joy, and amusement.

Another advantage is that hand-play songs require no prior preparation.

Expanding your repertoire will greatly broaden your childcare activities.

Take this opportunity to learn some Hinamatsuri hand-play songs and try them out with the children.

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