[Childcare] A collection of craft ideas for enjoying Setsubun

Oni’s Den-den Daiko (Demon’s Pellet Drum)

[Crafts / Setsubun] Let’s make an ogre den-den daiko (hand drum)♡

These are oni-themed den-den daiko (hand drums) you can not only display but also make and play with! Create parts like the oni’s face, hair, and horns from construction paper and attach them to cardboard.

Secure the chopstick handle firmly to the back of the oni’s face, and make holes on the left and right sides for the strings.

Let the kids draw the face however they like.

Finally, thread strings tipped with aluminum-foil balls through the holes and tie them, and you’re done! Since it’s made of paper it won’t sound like a real drum, but you can spin it around and have lots of fun.

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yuri

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A rollable sushi roll toy you can play with

Easy in 10 minutes! A no-sew handmade felt toy: how to make a sushi roll you can wrap and play with over and over! (All materials from the 100-yen shop) Great for Setsubun play too.

Here’s an idea for felt sushi rolls that can also be used for pretend play.

For little ones who aren’t old enough to eat sushi yet, why not add to the Setsubun fun with this toy? It’s easy to make! For the fillings, just roll them up and secure with fabric adhesive tape.

For the seaweed, cut black felt into a rectangle and attach hook-and-loop fastener to the edge.

For the rice, stack three pieces of white felt in different sizes.

Place the rice on the seaweed, add the rolled filling, roll it up, and fasten with the hook-and-loop—done!

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sasashina

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Oni Roly-Poly Doll

This is a roly-poly doll made from a balloon, with a perfectly round little ogre that adorably wobbles.

Put a marble inside the balloon before inflating it, then secure it with a rubber band so it won’t come out.

Flip the balloon over in this state and start inflating it.

Next, tie the neck of the balloon, and draw or stick on parts like the eyes, hair, and horns—done in no time! If you plan to throw beans at the balloon ogre, choose something that won’t hit too hard and is less likely to pop the balloon, like balls made from crumpled newspaper.

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yuri

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Oni Mobile

Let’s make a perfect Setsubun-themed mobile using motifs like ogres (oni), Setsubun beans, and holly-and-sardine (hiiragi iwashi) charms! The hanging oni parts can be folded from origami or cut out of construction paper—either is fine.

Have the kids make lots of them and stick the uniquely expressive oni onto strings.

Setsubun lasts only one day, but by enjoying the crafts, you can have fun in the days leading up to bean-throwing day, too.

If you attach strings to a holly-and-sardine piece made from origami or straws for the top bar, it will look even more like a Setsubun wall decoration!

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yuri

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Oni-shaped bean container

[Origami for Setsubun] How to Fold an Oni Bean-Holder Box [With Voice Commentary] Easy with One Sheet! Practical Origami You Can Use for Bean-Throwing

When it comes to Setsubun, many people probably picture oni (demons).

Traditionally, the Setsubun oni symbolized calamity and evil spirits, but in recent years they’ve become familiar, iconic characters.

With that in mind, let me introduce a cute oni-shaped bean holder.

It’s made of origami, with the inside of the oni’s head hollow so you can put beans in it.

Viewed from the side, it looks like a clasp purse, and a nice feature is that you can close the “mouth” when not in use.

It’s an idea that balances both design and functionality.

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yamamoto

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illustration

[How to Draw Illustrations] Setsubun: Let’s draw a cute oni (demon) illustration

Kids don’t usually get many chances to think, “I want to draw an oni (Japanese ogre)!” So let’s draw one for Setsubun, the time of year when oni come up in conversation.

First, draw a round outline for the oni’s face and mark points all the way around it like a clock.

From 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock, draw a fluffy cloud shape, and add two little mountain peaks within the cloud to make the oni’s hair and horns.

Draw ears at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions, then add the facial features in order.

It’s also a great idea for the teacher to prepare a sample illustration in advance and let the children enjoy coloring it in!

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yuri

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Sketchbook Theater

[Sketchbook Theater] Setsubun Finished in 10 Minutes! Easy How-To for Preschool Teachers

Let’s make a fun kamishibai-style interactive item using a sketchbook that can explain Setsubun bean-throwing with simple instructions.

It will spark interest in Setsubun, help children understand the meaning of mamemaki, and make the event enjoyable—so try making it not only at home but also in nursery schools and kindergartens.

Each time you turn a page, you’ll find colorful illustrations and lots of playful pop-up features that will surely captivate the children.

Use origami, colored construction paper, and color pens to install simple mechanisms and complete an exciting sketchbook.

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nikki

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