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 DIY mask ideas using various materials (41–50)

Paper plate + origami

[Easy Craft] How to Make an Oni Mask ♪ Let’s all make one together and have fun on Setsubun! Paper Plate, Origami

Paper plate + origami

This is an ogre mask you make by sticking a single sheet of origami paper onto a paper plate.

Choose origami in a color that matches the ogre’s face, round off the four corners, and glue it onto the plate.

Make sure to glue all the way to the edges so it doesn’t peel off.

Then finish by drawing directly or cutting and gluing origami pieces for the eyes, nose, mouth, fangs, hair, horns, and eyebrows.

Just changing the size of the pupils, the thickness of the eyebrows, or the number of horns creates a completely different look! Celebrate children’s individuality and have fun making original masks!

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Paper plate + construction paper + cat yarn

An oni mask made from a paper plate! It’s the perfect size for kids, so parents and children can enjoy it together♪

Paper plate + construction paper + cat yarn

During the Setsubun season, many regions still have plenty of snow.

So how about making an oni (demon) mask that feels warm and cozy? I especially recommend using cat yarn.

Cat yarn is a type of yarn often used for faux fur; it features a fluffy, soft texture.

Use it to recreate the oni’s hair.

For the mask base, it’s fine to keep it simple with a paper plate.

Even so, the cat yarn will give it a luxurious look.

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paper plate + construction paper + tissue paper

Handmade Oni Masks! A Preschool Teacher Explains Easy Setsubun Crafts (For 3- and 4-Year-Olds)

paper plate + construction paper + tissue paper

This idea is perfect for children around age three and up, and doubles as practice for skills like cutting and gluing.

There are three main steps: first, cut a paper plate in half.

Next, draw the ogre’s face with crayons.

Finally, make the hair with tissue paper and recreate the horns with construction paper to finish.

It’s a good idea to prepare one sample so children can more easily picture the finished project.

Another feature of this mask is that it sits on top of the head.

Since it doesn’t touch the face, even children with sensitive skin or those who don’t like covering their faces can enjoy it.

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Paper plate + paint + yarn

[Easy DIY] Enjoy Setsubun with your kids! Simple crafts using things at home: an oni (demon) mask and a bean cup

Paper plate + paint + yarn

Why not make a cute ogre mask using a paper plate? First, punch two holes in the paper plate, then paint it.

After that, draw any illustrations you like, and the face part is complete.

Finally, attach yarn to the top to represent hair.

It’s fun to prepare yarn in various colors and let the children choose! The method is simple, but it’s also great for adding originality.

Make your own unique ogre masks and wear them together to play.

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paper bag

[Preschool Craft] Perfect for Setsubun! Make an Oni (demon) hat with a paper bag

paper bag

This is a wearable mask made using a paper bag.

Cut out the center of the paper bag with scissors so the face is visible.

Then attach horn and hair pieces to the top of the bag to finish.

You can cut a hole large enough to show the whole face, or just cut out the eye areas and draw the mouth expression—there are many ways to customize it.

For children around age two and up, let them freely draw hair patterns with crayons.

It’s also a good idea to gather paper bags in a variety of colors so children can choose their favorites.

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Mask made from a paper bag

It's Setsubun today! Let's make an oni (demon) mask!

Mask made from a paper bag

Here’s a mask-making idea using paper bags.

As preparation, trace the children’s face sizes onto the paper bags and cut out round holes.

If the children will cut out the horns or eyebrows themselves, draw the cutting lines with a pencil to make it smoother.

For decorating the horns, let them choose their favorite colored pens, or use paints and brushes—adjust the approach to fit the class’s age and atmosphere.

Creating glue tabs on the horns and taping them to the paper bag is suitable for classes of age 4 and up.

For younger classes, the teacher should handle that step.

Letting children choose hair from yarn or tissue paper helps create original masks that reflect their preferences.

Transform your adorable kids into little ogres and enjoy bean-throwing together.

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In conclusion

We introduced a variety of handmade ghost mask ideas that let you enjoy Halloween. You can choose your favorite motifs—like witches, bats, or ghosts—and make them yourself. Use this as a reference and create your own original masks with familiar materials such as construction paper or fabric to enjoy Halloween!