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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)

[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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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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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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How to Make a Thousand-String Lottery with Everyday Materials! Handmade Ideas to Liven Things Up (11–20)

Can be used for choosing snacks too! Senbon Kuji (Thousand-Lot Lottery)

Dad’s handmade senbonbiki (prize fishing game) 🎣

Can be used for choosing snacks too! Senbon Kuji (Thousand-Lot Lottery)

The senbon-kuji lottery is perfect for choosing kids’ snacks.

Snack time is something children look forward to, isn’t it? But when it’s an everyday routine, it can be hard to decide what to serve.

So let’s have the kids choose their snacks with a senbon-kuji.

Attach strings to snacks they like or treats you want them to eat, and hang them inside a box.

A simple cardboard box you have at home is fine.

Then let the kids pull a string to pick today’s snack.

If snacks are decided by a lottery, snack time is sure to be more fun.

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Senbon Lottery made with a handled cardboard box and disposable chopsticks

[At-Home Festival] How to Make a String Lottery and a Water Gun Target

Senbon Lottery made with a handled cardboard box and disposable chopsticks

A thousand-string lottery with lots of prizes hanging inside a box.

Some people enjoy wondering which prize they’ll win, while others hope to snag a specific one.

Here’s a crafty idea for the strings that hold the prizes.

Add handles to the strings to make them easier to pull.

Attach a handle made from a disposable chopstick cut into three equal pieces to each string.

Since disposable chopsticks are sold at 100-yen shops, they’re easy to prepare.

Just adding handles makes an ordinary thousand-string lottery setup look like an even more impressive device.

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[DIY] A Senbon Lottery Made with Wood and Wire Netting

Easy DIY: Treasure Fishing Mini! How to make a Senbonbiki (thousand-string pull) that kids will love. Sturdy wooden construction lets you hold a festival at home!

[DIY] A Senbon Lottery Made with Wood and Wire Netting

If you want to use a senbon-kuji lottery multiple times, cardboard can feel a bit unreliable.

So, here’s an idea! Build the frame with wood for excellent stability and durability—you can reuse it as many times as you like.

Attach a wire grid to the ceiling, thread strings tied to the prizes through it, and secure them.

The look is very simple and stylish, but you can also paint and decorate it to give it a festive vibe.

You can get all the materials at a home improvement store.

Tools are required, so prepare them first and give it a try.

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Just pack the prizes! Easy thousand-string lottery

Remake a cardboard box: How to make a Senbonbiki (string-pulling lottery) — Joto Ward Takagi Piano School, Sumire Music School

Just pack the prizes! Easy thousand-string lottery

Even with a simple setup, you can make a fun Senbon Kuji lottery.

If you upcycle an empty cardboard box, you can easily create a Senbon Hiki box.

Paste wrapping paper or decorative paper with patterns onto the cardboard.

Choosing paper that matches the event will enhance the atmosphere even more.

Attach strings to the prizes, place them inside the revamped box, and you’re all set.

Then let the kids pull the strings.

With the excitement of not knowing what they’ll get, both children and adults are sure to enjoy the lottery.

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