Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Speaking of February events, Setsubun and Valentine’s Day come to mind.

Some of you are probably brainstorming event ideas like bean-throwing or cute crafts.

On the other hand, there may be people who struggle to come up with fresh ideas for annual traditions.

For those people, this time we’ll share play activities and craft ideas that are perfect for Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.

Incorporating new ideas is sure to make your events much more exciting.

Be sure to check out these ideas before you start preparing for your events.

[Childcare] Play and craft ideas to include in February events (61–70)

Roll it! Throw it! Demon-slaying

[Parent and Child Activity] Roll and Throw Toward the Target: Defeat the Oni with Movement Play!

Roll it! Throw it! Demon-slaying

Here’s an idea that lets kids move their bodies—throwing or rolling toward a target—while also enjoying a seasonal event.

Prepare five plastic bottles, some string, and origami paper, and make ogre (oni) faces with the origami.

It’s more fun with a variety of colors, so let them choose their favorites.

Encourage them to draw freely—smiling, angry, or crying faces—so their individuality can shine.

Attach string to each ogre face and secure it to a plastic bottle by fixing it under the cap, and you’re done.

Roll or throw a ball to knock down the plastic-bottle pins.

Making toys fosters imagination and gives a sense of accomplishment.

Above all, kids will feel attached to what they’ve made and learn to value their belongings.

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Colorful Oni Made with Balloons

Since Setsubun is coming up, I made an oni (demon) out of balloons.

Colorful Oni Made with Balloons

Here’s an ogre craft idea made by sticking face and horn parts cut from construction paper, plus yarn hair, onto inflated balloons.

Prepare colorful balloons, have an adult inflate them and tie the necks.

After your ogres are finished, you can tie string to the balloon necks and hang them from the ceiling as decorations.

If you treat the hanging ogres like targets, you can enjoy bean-throwing; try making “beans” out of newspaper and have fun.

Use balloons in a variety of colors to express your own unique ogres.

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Oni Target-Throwing Game

DIY Setsubun: Oni Target-Throw Game | How to Make an Ogre Extermination Game

Oni Target-Throwing Game

For Setsubun in February, why not make a demon target game? A roly-poly-style demon target is fun to hit, and it’s also fun to watch it spring back upright.

Since it rights itself on its own, you can play over and over—this is the key appeal of the game! Prepare a capsule from a capsule toy, oil-based clay, a bamboo skewer, and two copies of a demon illustration.

Pack the oil-based clay into the clear half of the capsule.

Make a hole in the lid, pass the bamboo skewer through it, and attach the demon illustration.

You can print an illustration or draw your own.

Combine three thinly cut pieces of paper tube to make beans, and your “ball” is ready.

Enjoy February with this indoor, absorbing demon target game!

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Demon-slaying pretend play

Ogre-Tag Play: 3 Setsubun Games Kids Can Play at Nursery School or at Home

Demon-slaying pretend play

Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy a demon-slaying pretend play using familiar scrap materials? This time, let’s play with toilet paper rolls.

Make balls by crumpling newspaper.

Secure any parts that stick out with tape.

Cover the toilet paper rolls with construction paper to resemble oni (demons).

Use any color you like for the face, and of course make the pants yellow! Attach hair and horns, then draw patterns on the face and pants to finish.

Enjoy “Oni Bowling” by throwing the newspaper balls to knock them down.

Making lots of oni and stacking them up is fun too.

There are also ideas using cardboard and balloon-based demon-slaying games, so be sure to check those out for inspiration.

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Production that can also create a demon-slaying game

[Setsubun Craft] A childcare worker explains bean-throwing play for driving out demons!

Production that can also create a demon-slaying game

Here’s a two-in-one idea that’s fun for both crafting and play: an oni (ogre) bean-throwing game for Setsubun.

Cut solid-color or patterned origami paper and glue it onto a paper tube.

Using various patterns and colors will make it bright and cute.

Make horns with gold origami, and crumple tissue paper to create hair and attach it.

Draw the face with colored pens, and make “beans” from tissue paper to finish.

Both the crafting process and playing with your own creation will make wonderful memories.

It’s also great that you can make it with items from a 100-yen shop or with recycled materials—give it a try!

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