Games using beanbags (otedama)
Let me introduce a game using beanbags (otedama)!
Otedama are small cloth bags filled with azuki beans or rice.
In Japan, they’ve long been loved as children’s playthings.
Many of you have probably tried the game where you toss several otedama into the air and keep them going without dropping any, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce otedama tricks, traditional children’s songs you can play along with, and games using otedama that everyone from kids to adults can enjoy.
Try adding it to your everyday playtime!
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Games using beanbags (1–10)
Beanbag darts
Beanbag darts is a very simple indoor game.
You throw your own beanbags toward a target placed on the floor and compete for points.
For the target, use a large sheet of poster paper and draw concentric circles labeled 10 points, 50 points, and so on.
It’s a good idea to tape the paper down so it doesn’t shift when you throw.
You can enjoy it by taking turns individually or playing in teams.
Since it can be played while seated, everyone can join in easily.
Beanbag Toss Game
In the “Ojami Toss” game, “ojami” refers to beanbags.
Draw a line like in dodgeball to create two territories and place a beach ball in the middle.
From outside the boundary, throw beanbags at the beach ball, and you win if you push the beach ball into the opponent’s territory.
It gets really exciting if you set a fixed number of beanbags or a time limit!
Yuri Hanasaki
One way to play with three beanbags is called “Hanasaki Yuri.” The name comes from how, after throwing two of the beanbags, the paths they trace spread beautifully to the left and right.
Therefore, it’s important to be able to draw clean arcs with those two beanbags.
Once you learn the knack, even children can master it, but to achieve beautiful trajectories, practice is everything! For kids, it might help to mix in other beanbag games during practice so they don’t get bored.
Games Using Beanbags (11–20)
Otedama Box Balancing Game
The “Beanbag Box Stacking Game” is fun for everyone from kids to seniors.
Stack several cardboard boxes vertically and stick papers with point values on them, then toss beanbags from a short distance away.
Aim for the boxes with higher points and try to land your beanbag on them.
You can make it even more exciting with variations—play in teams, or make the highest-scoring box have a smaller landing area, and so on.
plate
Osara is a hand-clapping song game played with beanbags.
You pick up and toss the beanbags in time with the traditional children’s song lyrics.
If the lyrics say to pick up one, you pick up one, and the number increases to two, three, and so on.
There are also tricks like “otenose,” where you grab a beanbag and balance it on the back of your hand, and “ohasami,” where you catch a thrown beanbag by pinching it with the other hand.
Because it’s a classic hand-play song, it’s perfect for children to enjoy with their grandmothers.
Gomoku (Five-in-a-Row) Game
The Beanbag Five-in-a-Row Toss Game is fun for both your brain and body! Use vinyl tape to make a grid on the floor, and players, seated, toss beanbags toward it.
The farther the squares are from you, the harder they are to hit—so things won’t always go the way you calculated in your head.
Adding physical movement to the classic five-in-a-row raises the difficulty and guarantees a heated match! It’s a game everyone can enjoy together, from children to seniors.
Beanbag Tower
The Beanbag Tower is a fun game that seniors and children can enjoy together.
Turn paper cups upside down and stack beanbags on the bottoms of the cups.
Although it may seem simple, there are many ways to place the beanbags, and experimenting with different methods makes it enjoyable.
Some seniors may even have wisdom gained over many years to share.
The winner is the person who knocks over the beanbag tower the fewest number of times.