[For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
February is a season filled with heartwarming events like Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Cat Day.
How about enjoying some crafts with construction paper and origami in a warm room on a cold day? Making things like ogre-themed pellet drums, heart-shaped accessories, or dangling plum-blossom decorations lets you move your fingers while savoring a touch of nostalgia, naturally bringing out smiles.
Displaying your finished pieces at home will brighten the atmosphere and make it feel more festive.
Here are some easy, charming craft ideas for February that you can try right away.
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For Seniors: Fun Crafts for February—Ideas Inspired by Events Like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day (101–110)
Masu Box and Hiiragi-Iwashi

This is a three-dimensional wall decoration that captures the Setsubun atmosphere.
Let’s make it by gluing a paper-mâché masu (wooden box) filled with beans and a holly-and-sardine charm made from construction paper.
Even on a flat surface, you can create a sense of depth by layering the paper pieces so the beans cast “shadows.” Try using both dark and light-colored construction paper creatively.
It’s a project that seniors can also enjoy making together.
Since it has a trompe-l’oeil feel, displaying the finished piece will make it fun to look at.
In Japan, there is a custom of hanging holly-and-sardine charms at entrances during Setsubun as a talisman to ward off evil.
Encourage seniors to take their creations home and display them.
Setsubun wreath with an oni (ogre) and an okame (folk mask)

During the cold winter months, you’ll likely spend more time enjoying crafts indoors.
Here’s a recommended wreath that lets you soak up the Setsubun atmosphere.
All you need is origami paper, so why not incorporate it into craft activities at your day service? The wreath base is made by creating several parts and assembling them.
By changing the colors and patterns of the parts, you can completely transform the look of the wreath—give it a try! The oni (ogre) and okame (traditional female mask) can also be made with simple folds.
Adding these instantly brings out the Setsubun vibe.
It’s perfect to take home and display in a room or by the entrance, and it also makes a delightful gift.
Oni and Otafuku

When it comes to events in February, many people probably think of Setsubun.
Here’s a perfect recreation activity for Setsubun: making an oni (demon) and Otafuku.
First, fold origami to create the outlines of the oni and Otafuku, then attach facial parts cut out from paper.
If you put them up on the wall, you can enjoy a festive Setsubun atmosphere.
By the way, in the context of Setsubun, Otafuku represents the “fuku” in the phrase “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (Demons out, good fortune in).
So it’s recommended to display them as a set.
Box of otafuku (Otafuku box)

Otafuku, alongside oni (demons), is a symbol of Setsubun.
Do you know why Otafuku is often displayed around the time of Setsubun in the first place? In fact, Otafuku is believed to have the power to ward off misfortune and invite happiness.
If you make a box inspired by Otafuku and put beans in it, it might boost your luck even more.
It’s easy to make since you only need to fold paper.
If you stylize Otafuku’s face a little to make it cute, it will feel more friendly.
Cute oni made with chirimen fabric

When February comes around, it’s Setsubun, isn’t it? The time of Setsubun marks a change of seasons, and it’s traditionally believed that illness and disasters are more likely to occur.
That’s why Setsubun has long been celebrated as an event to drive away evil spirits, symbolized by oni (ogres).
This time, let’s make that iconic oni out of chirimen crepe fabric! It’s a cute, round little oni.
The materials you’ll need are Styrofoam balls, chirimen fabric, double-sided tape, and so on.
All you have to do is stick the chirimen fabric onto the Styrofoam, so it’s very easy to make.
Display it in your room or by the entrance to invite good fortune.
[For Seniors] Fun Crafts for February: Ideas Inspired by Events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day (111–120)
Pac-Man demon

We’d like to introduce a chomp-chomp ogre made from a paper cup.
What you’ll need: a paper cup, scissors, wood glue, origami paper, construction paper, googly-eye stickers, and pom-poms.
Cut both sides of the paper cup with scissors, open it so the bottom overlaps to form the face and jaw.
Use the cut-off pieces to shape the hands and feet, and glue on the ogre’s pants made from construction paper and origami to complete the body.
Glue pom-poms, googly-eye stickers, and fangs onto the face with wood glue, and your cute ogre is done! You can also make its mouth open and close, so it makes a perfect gift for your grandchild.
Hiragi Sardines and the Demon
These are decorations of “holly sardines and an oni (ogre)” made using paper straws that are also sold at 100-yen stores.
You can get all the other materials at 100-yen stores too.
Preparation is easy, yet you can create impressive holly-sardine and oni decorations.
The holly sardines aren’t complicated to make, so they should be approachable.
The origami oni and plum blossoms include some fine finger work.
Skillfully using the fingertips can help with finger rehabilitation and stimulate the brain.
Please adjust the folding steps to suit the elderly participants.
Beyond wall decorations, you can attach strings and hang them—your ideas can expand how these pieces are used.




