[For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using a Variety of Materials
As Setsubun approaches, memories of childhood filled with bean-throwing and ogre masks come flooding back.
If you enjoy crafts together with older adults, nostalgic stories will blossom and smiles will naturally appear.
Using familiar materials like paper plates, origami paper, and Yakult containers, why not handcraft Setsubun-themed items such as ogre masks, ehomaki, and bean-throwing cups? With a little creativity, the ways to enjoy it are endless.
Spending time savoring the seasonal tradition while working with your hands will warm everyone’s hearts.
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[For Seniors] Get Excited with Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using Various Materials (61–70)
Balloon Demon
Leave the role of the ogre to the balloon! Wrap yarn around a cart or similar object several times, slip it off, tie it in one spot, then cut through the looped part.
Tie that onto the knot of an inflated balloon and the hair is done! You can also just cut the yarn to a suitable length and stick it directly onto the balloon.
After that, attach body parts made from construction paper and draw the eyes with a marker.
Since it’s a balloon, throwing anything too hard might pop it! A ball of crumpled newspaper might be just right.
ogre mask
Setsubun, which is said to fall on the day before the first day of spring (Risshun), is a traditional event for driving away evil spirits and inviting good fortune as we head into spring.
The bean-throwing we enjoyed in kindergarten or with our families as children feels nostalgic, doesn’t it? Speaking of Setsubun, nothing beats the ogre (oni) mask.
Let’s make a cool mask to liven up the bean-throwing event! Masks made from paper plates are easy and can be produced in large numbers—perfect for anyone who needs many for gatherings.
For a simple eye-reveal type, just cut holes for the eyes and then add horns and hair.
If you use a large plate to make an extra-large oni mask, you might become the star of the show.
Illustration of an oni
Let’s learn an easy way to draw a cute oni (Japanese ogre)! First, draw a long, cloud-like shape, then attach a face outline below it.
Draw the eyes and nose side by side in the center of the face, and make the mouth a little frown shape to give a pouty expression.
After that, add fangs and horns and you’re done! Once you’ve got the face down, raise the difficulty a bit and try drawing the body too.
The key to making it cute is to place the eyes and nose next to each other.
Even if you’re not good at drawing, this will definitely work, so give it a try!
Demon doll
I think there are many elderly people who live alone.
Making little ogre (oni) dolls to give out as a service to liven up the Setsubun atmosphere for them would likely be appreciated.
If you’re going to make them, why not team up with friends and make lots? Cut slits in a paper cup to create a big, opening ogre mouth.
Use construction paper to make the ogre’s face from the upper lip upward for the top part of the cup, and from the lower lip down to the chin for the bottom part, and attach each piece.
Since the ogre’s mouth opens and closes, it’s fun to move it and use it like a puppet.
Try to make the ogre’s face as cute as possible so they’ll want to display it for a long time.
Oni’s hat
This is an easy-to-make ogre hat from construction paper that you can comfortably wear over your head.
Fold the paper like a samurai helmet, then fold the center downward and turn it inside out to create the ogre shape! Punch holes on both sides to thread elastic, and quickly finish it off by attaching parts like hair, eyes, and a mouth.
As adults, we don’t often get the chance to wear costumes, do we? Everyone might feel a bit shy at first, but once you put it on and celebrate Setsubun, you’re sure to get excited and have fun.