[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?
- Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas
- [Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! A Fun Collection of Oni Craft Ideas
- [Childcare] Enjoy Setsubun! A collection of handmade ideas you can decorate with and play with
- [Childcare] Fun February Indoor Play Ideas That Work for Both Small and Large Groups
- [Childcare] Handmade Oni Masks: Craft Ideas by Material
- Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
- [February Wall Decorations] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Ideas You Can Use in Childcare
- Perfect for January bulletin boards! A collection of Daruma craft ideas kids will love in childcare settings
- [Childcare] Cute to display! A collection of wall decoration ideas you’ll want to make in February
- [Setsubun] Let’s make an oni mask! A collection of ideas using everyday materials
- [Nursery Schools & Kindergartens] Liven Up Setsubun! Entertainment Ideas
- [February Bulletin Board] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas to Enjoy in Early Childhood Education
- [Childcare] Fun Craft Ideas for Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day)
[Childcare] A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy Setsubun (81–90)
Origami: Otafuku (Traditional Smiling Woman Mask)
Otahuku is written in kanji as “お多福.” It’s a traditional mask depicting a woman’s face and is known as a symbol of good fortune.
Many of you have probably seen Setsubun beans sold together with an Otahuku mask as a set.
To drive away demons during Setsubun and invite plenty of good luck, let’s make an Otahuku out of origami with the kids.
With just one sheet of black origami paper, you can create the Otahuku face.
Draw the facial features however you like and get everyone ready to welcome happiness!
Origami: Ehomaki (lucky sushi roll)
Many people probably look forward to eating ehomaki as part of their Setsubun festivities.
The large futomaki rolls packed with various fillings are delightful to look at and instantly lift your spirits.
How about recreating the look of ehomaki using origami and other materials? Wrap origami to represent the fillings and rice, stuff it into a toilet paper tube, and finish by attaching black origami to mimic the nori seaweed.
You can reproduce the classic fillings, of course, but it might also be fun to create your ideal ehomaki by packing it with whatever you’d most like to eat.
Origami: Ogre
Speaking of Setsubun, ogres (oni) are an essential motif.
They’re seen as symbols of evil and have a scary image, but if you design them in a cute way, people might enjoy Setsubun even more.
We’ll fold origami into the shape of an oni, and using techniques like reverse folds, how you represent the horns is a key point.
Using red or blue origami and giving the oni one or two horns is the standard, but it could be fun to try other colors or shapes to see how the impression changes.
Finally, draw the oni’s expression to complete it—choosing what kind of face to give it is also an important point for making a cute oni.
bean container
Bean-throwing, which carries the wish to drive away evil and invite happiness, is one of the most enjoyable events of Setsubun.
A bean container to keep the beans at hand is also an essential element of the celebration.
By making one from a paper carton, you can create a sturdy container that prevents the beans from spilling.
Wrapping the carton with construction paper and adding decorations, you might design a cute oni (ogre) to bring out the spirit of Setsubun.
Paying attention to the oni’s color and expression can help people feel attached to it, and by adding touches like a handle, you can also make sure it’s easy to use.
bean container box
Mamemaki is the Setsubun event where beans are thrown to drive away demons (oni).
Some people enjoy dressing up as oni with family, friends, or teammates.
Wearing oni horns, striped pants, and carrying a metal club makes it even more festive, but how about making an item that lifts the mood for the bean-throwers too? Let’s make a simple box out of origami to hold the beans you’ll toss at the oni.
You can easily make it with just one sheet of origami paper, so try folding a few.
Once the box is folded, put beans inside and you’re all set.
This was an introduction to a bean-holding box that will make your Setsubun bean-throwing even more fun.
