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[Childcare] A collection of craft ideas for enjoying Setsubun
As Setsubun approaches, nursery schools and kindergartens get busy preparing for bean-throwing.
Crafts that incorporate Setsubun-specific motifs—like oni (ogre) masks, bean boxes, and eho-maki—are a wonderful opportunity to deepen children’s interest in the seasons.
Here, we’ve gathered ideas for Setsubun crafts that you can enjoy using familiar materials such as origami, paper plates, and construction paper.
By drawing cute oni expressions or designing their own horns, each child can create a piece that shines with their individuality.
How about enjoying the Setsubun festivities while making things together with the children?
[Childcare] A Collection of Craft Ideas for Enjoying Setsubun (1–10)
Origami for a Setsubun wreath
I want to use these for room decorations! Here’s a colorful and cute wreath idea.
You’ll need origami paper in various colors, pens or crayons, round stickers, and double-sided tape or glue if needed.
The key feature is a lovely design that combines parts for a blue oni, a red oni, and an Otafuku face.
You can enjoy adding personality through the expressions of the oni, so it’s highly recommended! In the video, the project is made with quarter-size origami paper, but it’s a good idea to adjust the paper size to suit the children’s growth and abilities.
Oni mask made from paper plates
Let’s make a simple and cute oni (demon) mask using an everyday paper plate.
Cut the paper plate in half and color the entire surface with paint or paint markers.
Next, use scissors or an awl to make openings for the eyes.
Glue on hair and horns made from construction paper or yarn, then finish by attaching a rubber band to both sides of the mask.
For the nose, make a slit with scissors to create an indentation.
It’s also recommended to use plenty of yarn for extra volume.
Another great idea is to use a plastic bottle cap for the nose to create a more three-dimensional mask.
Easy with cardboard! Oni Den-den Daiko (Devil Hand Drum)
Kids tend to associate ogres with being scary, right? So to make Setsubun more fun, why not try making an ogre-themed den-den daiko (pellet drum)? Creating a playful toy-like item might help ease their fear of ogres a little.
In this idea, you cut cardboard into a circle for the drum, attach a pair of chopsticks as the handle, and tie buttons to the ends of strings.
The drum face becomes the ogre’s face, so use colored paper and yarn to create whatever kind of ogre you like.
Ehomaki made with origami!
When it comes to Setsubun, some people might picture ehomaki sushi rolls.
This time, I’ll introduce a simple ehomaki craft idea using origami.
What you’ll need: black origami paper, various colors of origami cut into small pieces, and glue or double-sided tape.
It’s unique how the small, colorful pieces represent the fillings of the ehomaki.
The finished piece is flat, so it’s perfect for wall displays! Be sure to give it a try.
Handmade toys for Setsubun
https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7456021514836593928Let’s make and play! Here’s a fun idea you can use for Setsubun events, too.
It would be a waste to only make crafts for Setsubun—why not incorporate them into a game? In the video, we introduce a game where you launch a paper Ehomaki to hit oni targets made from toilet paper rolls and construction paper.
You can adjust the target designs and the way you play to suit different age groups.
This is a great idea for teachers planning Setsubun events!
Making an oni (ogre) using a toilet paper roll core
Let’s try making Setsubun decorations using recycled materials! Many teachers may be thinking about creating oni (ogre) crafts for Setsubun.
This time, let’s make wonderful pieces using toilet paper rolls that we usually throw away.
You’ll need toilet paper rolls, origami in various colors, scissors, glue or double-sided tape, a pencil, a black permanent marker, and a white correction pen or white permanent marker.
The steps are simple and easy to follow, so even children in infant classes can give it a try while arranging the craft together with their teacher.
Oni bean-throwing bag
Let’s make an oni-themed Setsubun bag that’s perfect for festivities.
Cut out the oni outline drawn on construction paper with scissors, then cut out the hair and facial parts as well.
After making the oni’s horn(s), eyes, and mouth, glue them onto the face to complete the oni.
Next, cut construction paper to create the gusset (side) pieces of the bag, snip small notches at the ends, and attach them to the oni face.
Carefully glue the front and back of the face together, then cut a ribbon to an easy-to-hold length and attach it to the bag to finish.
Make a cute oni bean-holding bag and enjoy Setsubun!