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 (11–20)
Nursery rhyme “Hello, Jizo”
Place a beanbag on your head and bow as you say the greeting, “Hello, little Jizo.” At the same time, catch the beanbag that falls from your head with both hands.
If you succeed, try increasing the number of beanbags on your head one by one.
For small children, keeping it to just one can still be fun to repeat many times.
It works well if your posture is steady when placing the beanbag on your head!
Wobbly Beanbag Game
Stand a core from a roll of plastic wrap upright.
Place a food-grade polystyrene tray (like a supermarket tray) on top, and put 10–15 beanbags (otedama) in the tray.
Starting from this setup, players take turns removing one beanbag each.
If it falls over, you lose.
Think carefully about the positions of the beanbags in the tray when you remove them.
As a variation to make the game more exciting, you can allow players to lightly push the beanbags with a finger to shift their positions a little before removing them.
Beanbag threading
Otedama Toshi is a game where you roll a beanbag! Roll the beanbag into a series of vertical frames, and if you can stop it within the goal frame, you succeed.
If it veers outside the frames or passes beyond the goal, the challenge fails.
It’s like a gateball-style game using a beanbag, but it’s surprisingly difficult even for adults to master.
It’s a game that kids of all ages can get absorbed in.
Beanbag Carry
If you’re looking for a game that’s fun with small, precise movements, I recommend Beanbag Relay.
First, prepare a stand made from an empty can for each person and line up in a row.
At the start signal, beginning from the person at the end, use chopsticks to pick up a beanbag and pass it onto the next person’s stand.
Prepare lots of beanbags, and compete as teams to see how many you can transport within the time limit—it’s sure to be exciting.
It’s also fun to try not only beanbags but items like vinyl balls or anything tricky to grasp.
target practice
Stretch a single string horizontally.
Fold paper targets about one-fifth of the way and hook them onto the string.
The game is to hit these targets with beanbags.
Be careful: if the string is too loose, a slight shake can make all the targets fall.
Set the distance between the targets and the thrower according to the players’ ages.
If a beanbag hits near where the target hangs on the string, you might be able to knock down other targets in a chain reaction!