Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Handmade Oni Masks: Craft Ideas by Material

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.

We’ve put together ideas for DIY oni (ogre) masks you can make for Setsubun.

We’re sharing a variety of articles so you can choose from different materials for the base.

If kids stick on the oni’s facial features and hair, they’ll create one-of-a-kind masks full of originality! Oni masks aren’t just for kids—teachers can join in making them too, of course.

On Setsubun, let’s all wear our masks and enjoy lively bean-throwing together.

After Setsubun, the masks can also be used as props for pretend play.

[Childcare] Handmade Oni (ogre/demon) masks: Craft ideas by material (21–30)

3 picks of oni masks that don’t cover your face

Setsubun: Making Oni Masks That Don’t Cover the Face [Daycare/Kindergarten]

3 picks of oni masks that don't cover your face

Making oni masks is essential for Setsubun crafts.

The classic style has cut-out eye holes, but it’s a shame when the children’s expressions get hidden.

So here are three ideas for masks that don’t cover the face.

First, bundle yarn wrapped around cardboard (or similar) to make the oni’s hair and attach the horns to it.

Second, use a narrow strip of construction paper and add crumpled tissue paper “flowers” and eye parts to create a mask.

Finally, cut the oni’s hair out of construction paper, decorate it with pieces of chenille stems (pipe cleaners), and attach it to a head-sized ring to finish the mask.

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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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[Childcare] Handmade Oni Masks: Material-Specific Craft Ideas (31–40)

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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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for ogre masks that you can make together with children. You can get creative with masks made from various materials and colors, so the excitement starts from the preparation stage. Of course, you can wear them on Setsubun, and they’re also fun to use for pretend play. Let’s put on the masks and play together with the cute little ogres!