Lovely childcare

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)

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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Halloween gets exciting! A collection of DIY mask ideas using various materials (31–40)

Halloween hat

[Halloween Crafts] Make it with just construction paper! Cute pumpkins, black cats, and straw hats [DIY]

Halloween hat

Using two sheets of construction paper in your favorite colors, here’s a cute hat that’s perfect for Halloween.

When making the 3D hat section, use glue or tape to assemble it.

If you make it too large, it may end up loose, so it’s best for a teacher to check the children’s head sizes and adjust while making it.

When attaching the paper and cutting the brim of the hat with scissors, be careful not to cut too much.

You can also make cat eyes and ears to turn it into a black cat hat, so definitely give it a try.

Matching it with a costume is recommended, too.

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A mask-made face mask

Setsubun Craft: Easy! Oni Mask (Nonwoven Fabric Mask) [Kindergarten, Nursery, Elementary School, Crafts, Art] Bean-Throwing

A mask-made face mask

Let’s make an oni (ogre/demon) mask using a household face mask.

Since it already has ear loops, you can put it on and enjoy it right away.

The method is super simple: color the mask red, draw an oni illustration, and cut out holes for the eyes—that’s it! The illustration you draw on the mask is a great place for your child to unleash their imagination.

Masks come in many colors, so a black oni or a purple oni could be fun, too.

If you use a 3D mask, you can even create a more three-dimensional oni mask!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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A moving ogre mask

[Childcare] Wearable, Playable, Moving Oni Masks [Setsubun Craft]

A moving ogre mask

A unique demon mask with a movable face.

It’s easy to make with just yarn and construction paper, so it’s perfect for a parent-child craft! First, you’ll make the demon’s moving mouth.

This might be a bit challenging for small children, so adults should help out while making it.

Let kids freely and joyfully create parts like the eyes, fangs, and horns! Finally, attach the movable eye parts and yarn for the hair, and you’ll have an adorable demon mask.

Of course, it’s also fine to make it into a powerful, scary demon if you like.

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coloring mask

How to make a Setsubun demon mask: an easy coloring craft with construction paper!

coloring mask

Coloring is one of children’s favorite activities, right? So how about trying a mask-making project using coloring pages? First, prepare a coloring page of an oni (ogre) face to use as the mask.

If you choose a cute design, everyone can wear it without getting scared and enjoy the activity together.

Next, have the children color it in.

Letting them use their favorite colors will make it feel personal and special.

Finally, cut out the colored picture and attach a rubber band to complete the mask.

Enjoy bean-throwing with your uniquely decorated masks!

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Origami mask

Setsubun Origami Craft: How to Make Ogre and Otafuku Mask Headbands (with Audio Commentary)

Origami mask

As Setsubun approaches, many daycare centers and kindergartens probably fold oni (ogre) figures out of origami.

You can use that same origami oni as a mask.

First, fold the oni’s face, then make two strips out of origami paper.

Finally, attach the two strips to the origami oni and fasten the ends of the strips together with a rubber band, and you’re done.

If you use other motifs for the face, you can make Otafuku masks or animal masks, too.

The person throwing beans can wear an Otafuku mask, and there are lots of ways to have fun with different masks.

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