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Halloween gets even more exciting! A collection of DIY mask ideas using a variety of materials

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Ghosts, skeletons, bats, and jack-o’-lanterns—when it comes to Halloween, all the creepy, slightly scary characters come together! Even if makeup seems tricky, you can easily enjoy dressing up with a handmade mask.

They’re simple to make with paper or fabric, and you can decorate them however you like! Here’s how to create whimsical masks that kids and adults alike can enjoy with excitement.

Add some clever touches around the eyes and mouth for a more authentic finish.

Become your favorite character and have fun this Halloween!

Halloween gets exciting! A collection of handmade mask ideas in various materials (21–30)

Oni masks made with various materials and techniques

Many preschools and kindergartens probably make oni (ogre) masks for Setsubun, don’t they? If you use the same method every year, both the children and the teachers can get bored.

So here are some oni mask ideas that use a variety of materials and techniques.

First, a simple mask with the face made from red-painted construction paper and the hair represented with yarn.

Let the children cut and glue the yarn themselves.

Next, a mask that uses a kitchen-paper bleeding/blur painting technique to represent the hair; the vibrant colors really stand out.

You can also depict the face with torn-paper collage instead of paint.

Try combining different ideas!

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paper envelope

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By using a paper envelope, you can make a mask without elaborate molding.

Cut the envelope in half and cut out one side so the face can show through.

Once you slip it on, you’ll have a base for a mask that lets the face appear.

Since it’s made of paper, it’s easy to attach parts made from construction paper or draw illustrations on it.

Using a dark-colored envelope can create a gloomy look, so we recommend using a white or light-colored envelope when making it.

Caregivers can make matching ones too, and everyone can enjoy Setsubun together!

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Oni mask made with paper plates and origami

Winter is the season of Setsubun, isn’t it? I wonder if there are any five-year-olds out there making plans like, “How should we defeat the ogres this year?” Here’s a craft idea for an oni (ogre) mask.

Use a paper plate for the face and paste torn pieces of origami paper on top.

The color of the origami changes depending on whether you want a red oni or a blue oni, so prepare several sheets, including other colors.

Once you’ve finished pasting the origami, add the facial features, horns, and yarn for hair—and it’s done! It’s an idea that will make you want to use it as a wall decoration, too.

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Make parts out of 100-yen shop paper and cut-and-paste them

Setsubun! Easy demon mask made with 100-yen shop paper

Make parts out of 100-yen shop paper and cut-and-paste them

Why not try making an oni (demon) mask by cutting parts out of origami or construction paper? All the materials you’ll need—like construction paper and rubber bands—can be found at a 100-yen shop.

Get creative with the eyes and mouth parts to capture the oni’s vibe.

If you want a more polished finish, we recommend layering circular cutouts of paper to create a hair-like texture.

If you let the kids glue on the parts themselves, the mask will end up with lots of personality!

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[100-yen shop DIY] Paper plates + vinyl cord

[Daycare/Kindergarten] How to Make an Oni (Demon) Mask and Hat [DIY with 100-Yen Shop Items]

[100-yen shop DIY] Paper plates + vinyl cord

This is a hat that expresses an ogre’s horns and hair, made by combining a paper plate and plastic twine.

It’s easy to source materials, simple to make, and safe to enjoy—that’s the key.

Use a deep paper plate so it’s easy to wear, and attach small pom-poms made by cutting open and fluffing the plastic twine.

Let the children enjoy the step of splitting the twine to create these tiny pom-poms.

Adjust the spread of the “hair,” attach the horn parts, and finally punch holes and thread a string to finish.

It’s also fun to customize the color and length of the plastic twine.

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Torn-paper collage

Setsubun Craft: A Torn-Paper Oni (Demon) Mask! [For Ages 1 and Up] (ASMR-Style Video)

Torn-paper collage

Why not incorporate elements of torn-paper collage—said to be great for early childhood learning—into your mask-making? A recommended idea is to use torn paper to create the ogre’s hair.

When you try it, prepare the mask base with materials that paper sticks to easily, such as a paper plate or a milk carton.

Choosing traditional Japanese origami paper in advance will sharpen the ogre’s look.

If the children are focused and want to enjoy a bit more torn-paper collage, you can even represent the entire ogre’s face with the technique.

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paper-mâché

A demon mask for Setsubun made with papier-mâché that you can make with children

paper-mâché

Let’s make a genuine mask using the hariko (papier-mâché) technique! Hariko is a method of molding by pasting paper onto a clay or wooden form.

It’s beloved for the warm, gentle texture that only paper can provide.

Making a mask with hariko doesn’t involve many complicated steps.

Since most of the work is tearing and pasting paper, it’s a fun activity to do with children! By experiencing making a favorite mask yourself, it will surely spark interest in craftsmanship.

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Mask made from cardboard

[Setsubun] A slightly realistic ogre mask made from cardboard [Production time: 1 hour]

Mask made from cardboard

Cardboard is an essential item for crafts.

It’s easy for kids to handle, and since it’s something most households have, it’s simple to get started! If your child is making it themselves, choose cardboard that isn’t too thick so it’s easier to cut.

You can divide the tasks—for example, let your child do the painting while an adult helps with cutting out the eye holes.

It’s a project that both adults and children can enjoy, wondering what kind of unique oni (demon) they’ll create.

It’s also great as February décor, so be sure to display it and have fun!

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tissue box

Let's make an ogre mask with an empty tissue box! “Chibi Kura!”

tissue box

This is a large ogre (oni) mask made by opening up an empty tissue box.

Cut off the sides while leaving the broad front panel, but be sure to keep the ear sections.

The tissue slot already has a big opening, which is a key feature you can use as the ogre’s mouth.

After applying glue over the entire opened box, decorate it with torn pieces of origami paper or similar.

If you prepare origami in matching color tones, the decoration will look cohesive and neat.

Finally, attach the eyes, horns, and hair pieces, then punch holes in the ear sections you left, thread elastic through them, and the mask is complete.

You can enjoy various customizations, such as choosing which parts to make from which materials or making use of the box’s original patterns.

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Tissue box + tissue paper

Setsubun Craft: Oni Mask – How to Make a Craft for Japanese Setsubun, Part 2.

Tissue box + tissue paper

During the Setsubun season, many regions still have chilly winds.

How about making a warm-looking oni (demon) mask to suit the weather? I especially recommend using cat yarn.

Cat yarn is a material often used for faux leather items, characterized by its fluffy, soft texture.

Use it to create the oni’s hair.

For the mask base, a paper plate keeps the steps simple and saves time.

The cat yarn adds a touch of luxury, resulting in a mask with a unique flair.

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