Lovely handmade crafts

How to Make a Senbon Kuji (Lottery Strings Game) with Everyday Materials: Fun Handmade Ideas to Liven Things Up

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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!”
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

When it comes to staples at summer festivals, school culture festivals, and kids’ club events, senbon-kuji (thousand-string lottery) is a must! Not only children but also adults get excited pulling the strings, wondering what prize they’ll win.

Why not try making your own senbon-kuji for a perfect memory-making activity? In this article, we’ll show you how to easily make a senbon-kuji using readily available materials like cardboard and mesh panels.

From compact versions that don’t take up much space to full-scale setups that can entertain large groups, we’ve got ideas to match the size of your event.

Step into the world of handmade senbon-kuji and bring festival fun anywhere!

How to Make a Thousand-String Lottery with Everyday Materials! Fun DIY Ideas (1–10)

A thousand-prize lottery you can make with a box and a drain cover

If you pull all the strings in the candy lottery, it turns into a rhythm battle—our family is having way too much fun lol himawari-CH

A thousand-prize lottery you can make with a box and a drain cover

Introducing a senbon-kuji (string lottery) made with a suitably sized box and a drain cover! Prepare a box with one face just a bit larger than the drain cover.

Fit drain covers into the front and back of the box, then thread strings with prizes attached through them—that’s it.

The drain covers neatly gather the strings, so neither the strings nor the prizes get tangled or scattered.

Since the prizes are placed around the box, try to secure as much space as possible when using this idea.

Despite its compact appearance, you can enjoy a dynamic lottery experience that’s sure to liven things up!

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Hanging-type thousand-lot lottery

[Easy Craft] Candy Fishing Where You Don’t Know Which One You’ll Catch — The Easiest Way to Make Festival-Style Senbon Fishing; Senbon Lottery; String Lottery; At-Home Play; Indoor Play; Home Festival

Hanging-type thousand-lot lottery

Recommended for those who want to make a space-saving lottery string game (senbon-kuji)! This is a hanging type idea using a shallow box.

First, remove the lid from the box and make holes for the strings in the bottom of the box body and the ceiling of the lid.

Next, thread the strings—each connected to a prize—through the holes, then reassemble the box body and lid.

However, because you can see which hole in the lid each string comes out of with this method, you’ll need to pass each string through a different hole on the lid after threading it through the box body.

Make sure the strings run in a zigzag pattern inside the box.

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Halloween Thousand-Lottery

[Halloween] How to Make a Candy Thousand-String Pull

Halloween Thousand-Lottery

Here’s an introduction to a Halloween Senbon Lottery that’s perfect for an October Halloween party.

When it comes to Halloween, there’s a tradition of giving treats to those who say “trick or treat,” right? How about adding a little twist when handing out the goodies? Fill small bags with candy, place them in a box, and turn it into a lottery where participants pull on strings to see what they get.

For the candy bags, Halloween-themed designs work great, and for the strings, yarn in Halloween colors like orange, black, or purple is recommended.

A lottery-style way to get treats makes it a perfect fit for a Halloween party, combining fun with the candy handout.

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A Thousand-String Lottery made with a futon-drying rack and a pegboard

Great for events! I made an easy senbonbiki (lucky-draw string game).

A Thousand-String Lottery made with a futon-drying rack and a pegboard

Here’s an idea using an X-shaped futon-drying rack and a perforated pegboard with lots of holes.

Thread string (like twine used for attaching prizes) through the holes in the pegboard.

Once you’ve threaded as many as you like, gather the ends together with something like a plastic wrap core.

Then just set it on the drying rack and attach the prizes—done! When tying strings to the prizes, it’s recommended to use clothespins.

Choose the location for the lottery game while considering the space needed to place the futon-drying rack.

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[100-Yen Shop] Thousand-String Lottery Kit

Senbonbiki kit #Anpanman #AnpanmanToy #Seria

[100-Yen Shop] Thousand-String Lottery Kit

Senbon Kuji is a classic festival lottery game.

You can even buy a ready-to-play kit at 100-yen shops.

It’s a small, at-home version, but it’s perfect if you want to enjoy Senbonbiki casually.

To set it up, just assemble the main unit and thread strings with prizes attached through the holes in the top.

It already comes printed with a festival stall-style design, so no extra decorations are needed.

Since the main unit is on the smaller side, be sure to choose small prizes to attach.

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