For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
In February, when the chill still lingers, how about spending some joyful time with activities that warm both body and soul? We’ve gathered plenty of smile-bringing ideas that capture the unique seasonal feel of February—from games themed around Setsubun and Valentine’s Day, to exercises you can do while seated, and even “snowball fights” using newspaper.
These activities can spark nostalgic memories, naturally liven up conversations with those around you, and help you feel good by moving your body—offering lots of positive effects to look forward to.
Precisely because it’s a cold season, please enjoy heartwarming moments indoors with safe, fun activities!
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] Easy and fun seated activities you can do in your room
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring
- [For seniors] A handmade calendar you’ll want to make in February
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! February-Themed Quiz
For Seniors: February Activities — Have Fun with Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow (71–80)
Origami Setsubun Wreath
A Setsubun wreath that lets you feel Japan’s traditional customs is a great way to enjoy the seasonal event while also exercising your fingers.
Let’s prepare and make it with Setsubun motifs like a bean container, Otafuku, and red and blue oni.
For the wreath base, using a greenish color inspired by holly leaves—befitting Setsubun—may make the oni and Otafuku stand out more crisply.
When making each part, be mindful of colors associated with Setsubun and attach the pieces in a well-balanced way.
Changing the expressions of each piece will give your work a stronger sense of originality, which is highly recommended.
Yarn: Making a Friendly Oni Wall Hanging
Decorate your room with an Oni theme to bring a Setsubun vibe.
In this idea, you wrap yarn around thick paper, then attach felt parts for the face and horns to make the oni.
After making a red oni and a blue oni, glue them onto a base; add holly leaves and a paper label with the word “Setsubun” to finish.
Decorate the four corners of the base with washi-pattern origami or tape, and place gem or pearl stickers in the empty spaces.
The impression changes depending on whether you use the square base as-is or rotate it into a diamond shape.
Punch a hole in the base, thread a red ribbon through, and finish it so it can be hung on the wall.
Setsubun origami wreath wall decoration
It’s long been said that displaying holly and fish heads at the entrance wards off evil.
Let’s make a fun, decorative wreath out of origami—perfect for Setsubun.
We’ll create each part in origami: the sardine head, the bone section, holly leaves, an Okame mask, a red oni, and a blue oni.
The key is to carefully fold creases and balance facial expressions to add a sense of depth.
For the wreath base, using washi-patterned origami paper will enhance the seasonal feel of Setsubun.
Give this seasonal Setsubun wreath a try!
Cute hanging decorations for Setsubun
Hanging decorations that you make and display while enjoying the Setsubun festivities add an original touch and can create a lovely space.
Use an awl to make a hole through the center of a round polystyrene foam ball, then wrap thread around the ball.
Make slits and cut the ball in half, and start attaching fabric to the halves.
Carefully adhere the fabric, aligning it with the slits.
Glue two strands of yarn over the slit area and tie them like a ribbon.
Thread on pom-pom balls or flowers, and your hanging decoration is complete.
Prepare a variety of colors and try making bright, cheerful hanging ornaments.
Setsubun decoration: holly and sardine (hiiragi-iwashi)
Hiiragi iwashi, displayed during Setsubun, has a distinctive look: a sardine head pierced onto a sprig of holly.
It’s said to ward off evil because demons dislike the smell and the prickly leaves.
Using this idea, you’ll make a sardine head, two holly leaves, and a stick.
For the sardine, fold an origami square into a triangle to make a crease, open it, then fold the two left edges to the center crease.
Use the opposing corners of the folded section to form the mouth, and shape the rest into the head.
For the leaves, take small origami squares, fold the diagonal corners to create a leaf shape, then accordion-fold to finish.
For the stick, cut a narrow strip of origami paper and fold it gatefold (both long edges in to meet at the center).
Setsubun! Oni head
Let’s decorate the February bulletin board using various parts.
In addition to ogre hair made from tissue paper and origami ogre pants, we’ll also make holly-and-sardine talismans, ofuda charms, and plum blossoms.
Crumple paper to add wrinkles for texture, open thin tissue paper sheet by sheet—these are easy crafts that also exercise fine motor skills.
Arrange the layout with the ogre hair as the main feature and decorate around it with the other parts.
Make the ogre hair in a variety of colors, and write “Oni wa soto” (Demons out) and “Fuku wa uchi” (Fortune in) on the ofuda.
Blue Oni made with a toilet paper roll core
This is a cute blue ogre craft made with a toilet paper roll and origami.
Cut the roll in half, then wrap the lower half with a piece for the ogre’s pants—yellow origami decorated with patterns drawn in black pen.
Cover the upper half, which will be the face, with light blue origami.
Draw the eyes and mouth with a black pen, then finish by attaching cheeks, hair, and horn pieces cut from origami.
It’s rounded but very stable, making it perfect for display! It’s also lovely to make ogres in various colors and line them up.
