[February Bulletin Board] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas to Enjoy in Early Childhood Education

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

When it comes to February in preschools and kindergartens, it’s the season when everyone starts thinking about Setsubun wall decorations.

Displays featuring oni (ogres) catch children’s attention and really boost the seasonal mood.

We’re introducing ideas you can choose from based on your class atmosphere and children’s developmental stages, such as masks, garlands, and large oni made with tissue paper.

There are plenty of ways to make the process fun too, like finger stamping and hand painting.

Find your favorite oni craft and make Setsubun an even more enjoyable event!

[February Wall Display] Perfect for Setsubun! A collection of oni (demon) craft ideas for fun in childcare (41–50)

Cute little oni

When it comes to Setsubun, the main stars are the oni (ogres), right? Many preschools and kindergartens have someone wear an oni mask to startle the children.

However, if that’s all you do, the kids might end up being afraid of Setsubun.

So how about making a cute oni wall decoration to help them feel more familiar with oni? A recommended approach is to cut and paste colored construction paper to create colorful oni.

The vivid colors give them a very cute feel.

Some websites even offer printable templates, so try looking them up.

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yamamoto

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[February Wall Decorations] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas for Fun in Early Childhood Education (51–60)

Demon Pants Made with Blow Painting

Blow painting with straws is so much fun! Here’s a craft where you can make an ogre’s pants while having a great time.

Materials: straws, colored construction paper, paint, round stickers, glue, pens, etc.

First, use a straw to blow black paint onto yellow construction paper.

Make sure to thin the paint with plenty of water.

Once the paint dries, cut it into the shape of the ogre’s pants.

Next, make the ogre’s face and legs with colored paper.

Use round stickers for the eyes and other features.

Finally, glue the ogre’s face and legs onto the pants, and you’re done! Depending on the children’s ages, prepare the parts in advance or have the teacher make them together with the children.

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kepiko

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Ehomaki

Ehomaki are sushi rolls considered lucky when you eat them facing the year’s auspicious direction on Setsubun.

Although this custom is said to have originated in Osaka, in recent years it’s become known nationwide as major convenience store chains began selling ehomaki.

How about using ehomaki—rolled sushi that kids love—as an idea for a February wall decoration? Since most of it is covered in black nori, if you emphasize the colorful fillings for contrast, it will look super delicious! Make some oni (ogre) decorations too, and create a lively wall display.

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miyabi

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Colorful Oni Made with Yarn

Have fun sticking on yarn! Here’s how to make a colorful oni (ogre).

What you’ll need: parts for the oni’s face and hair, yarn in various colors cut into pieces about 5 cm long, stickers, crayons, and glue.

First, apply glue to the hair piece.

Then stick on yarn in the colors you like.

Attach the hair piece to the face piece, and finally use crayons and stickers to make the oni’s face—that’s it! Prepare the parts in advance according to the children’s age.

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kepiko

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Setsubun Tapestry

Why not try making a tapestry perfect for Setsubun? A tapestry is a fabric decoration you can hang on a wall.

There are many types—some are woven fabrics, others have printed illustrations—but if children are giving it a try, how about drawing on plain fabric with markers or attaching felt pieces they’ve made? Using stencils sounds fun too.

Feel free to draw things related to Setsubun, like oni (ogres), beans, and ehomaki sushi rolls.

Once it’s finished, hang it on the wall to decorate your room!

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sasashina

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Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)

While chanting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (“Demons out, good fortune in”), people scatter beans on Setsubun to drive away evil from the home.

Since it’s now established as a February event, your children are probably familiar with it too.

Let’s make a wall decoration with a bean-throwing theme! Try crafting essential Setsubun elements like the oni (demon), roasted lucky beans, and ehomaki sushi rolls by cutting colored construction paper.

Playing with color schemes or using patterned origami paper and stickers can also make the display more vibrant.

If you’re creating it with children, try making cute, friendly-looking oni rather than scary ones.

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miyabi

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Oni and the Ehomaki

Ehomaki are considered lucky when eaten while facing the auspicious direction.

Sharing them with everyone at lunchtime can be part of the fun, too.

So how about creating a wall decoration with the theme of ogres (oni) and ehomaki? You’re free to choose any design, but a scene where an oni and animals are happily eating ehomaki together would be lovely.

Try depicting them opening their mouths wide and enjoying the ehomaki side by side.

It’s also a great idea to ask the children which animals they’d like to include.

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yamamoto

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