[Nursery Schools & Kindergartens] Liven Up Setsubun! Entertainment Ideas
As Setsubun approaches, it’s the time when nursery schools and kindergartens start thinking about what performances to put on.
There are many ideas to liven up a Setsubun assembly, such as plays, dances, and finger plays that children can get absorbed in.
It’s also fun in ways unique to this season—cheers erupt when the ogres appear, and everyone moves their bodies to the bean-throwing song.
Here, we’ve gathered ideas for performances perfect for Setsubun events at nursery schools.
Please use them as a reference to make your Setsubun assembly full of children’s smiles!
- [Childcare] Fun February Indoor Play Ideas That Work for Both Small and Large Groups
- [Entertainment/Performances] Ideas for Performances to Introduce at Kindergartens and Nursery Schools—Great for Children and Staff
- Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas
- [Childcare] A collection of craft ideas for enjoying Setsubun
- [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
- [Setsubun] Let’s make an oni mask! A collection of ideas using everyday materials
- [February Wall Decorations] Perfect for Setsubun! A Collection of Ideas You Can Use in Childcare
- [Childcare] Fun for Hinamatsuri! Performance ideas perfect for the event
- Rhythmic bean-throwing for Setsubun: fun music education for children
- [Kindergarten/Daycare] Games and Performances for Fun Events
- [Childcare] Games and performances that liven up Children's Day
- [Childcare] Recommended for Entrance Ceremonies! A Collection of Fun Performance Ideas
[Nursery & Kindergarten] Liven Up Setsubun! Performance Ideas (21–30)
Let’s defeat the demon with a ball!
February is still full of chilly days, so let’s get moving and play indoors! This Setsubun game involves defeating the oni (ogre) by throwing balls at it.
Ideally, the target oni is made in separate parts—head, torso, and left and right legs—and then assembled.
It’s fun because the way it falls changes depending on where you hit it: hit the head and only the head might drop; hit the torso and the whole thing might topple over.
When it’s knocked down, set it back up and try again and again.
Cheer each other on—“You can do it!”—and work together with friends to defeat the oni.
It’s a great way to build cooperation and learn the importance of steady, persistent effort.
Fun Oni (Demon) Games for Infant Classes
Try fun oni-themed games that capture the Setsubun season: “Mame Korogashi,” where you roll up a newspaper into a ball and roll it around; “Mame-maki,” where you throw newspaper ‘beans’ at an oni face or its pants; “Pak-kun Oni Golf,” where you aim balls into a cardboard target; and “Oni Balloon Play,” using balloons decorated with many oni faces.
Do a warm-up with the Oni’s Pants dance, then start the games—pick whichever activities interest you.
Playing with toys made by you or by older students from other classes sparks curiosity and fosters a sense of achievement and self-esteem.
Feel free to use these ideas and bring Setsubun play into your activities.
[Nursery & Kindergarten] Make Setsubun More Exciting! Performance Ideas (31–40)
Bean-throwing play with empty boxes
How about a bean-throwing game idea that turns an empty box you’d normally throw away into a fun toy? It’s perfect for indoor play in February.
Fix the box lid upright with duct tape or similar so it stands vertically.
Line the bottom of the box with colored construction paper, and stick a paper-made oni (demon) face and pants on the inside of the lid.
For hair, use small pieces of colorful origami paper for a fun look.
Using shiny, reflective origami will also get kids excited.
Make paper balls by crumpling origami, then throw them at the oni.
If they land inside the box, you win!
How to Make a Bean-Counting Game
A bean-toss game like basketball.
If you’re looking for a bean-throwing game that doesn’t involve scattering real beans—which are a pain to clean up and take up space—this activity is perfect.
Cut open one side of a milk carton and cover the outside with colored construction paper.
Fold the opened flap and secure it with vinyl tape.
Make horns and head parts from construction paper, attach them to paper cups, and draw an ogre’s face.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the paper cups, so it’s good to make several in different sizes.
Glue a plastic bottle cap to the bottom of the milk carton to create an incline, make your “beans,” and you’re done.
The feeling when a bean lands in the goal is sure to be addictive!
Oni Target-Throwing Game
For Setsubun in February, why not make a demon target game? A roly-poly-style demon target is fun to hit, and it’s also fun to watch it spring back upright.
Since it rights itself on its own, you can play over and over—this is the key appeal of the game! Prepare a capsule from a capsule toy, oil-based clay, a bamboo skewer, and two copies of a demon illustration.
Pack the oil-based clay into the clear half of the capsule.
Make a hole in the lid, pass the bamboo skewer through it, and attach the demon illustration.
You can print an illustration or draw your own.
Combine three thinly cut pieces of paper tube to make beans, and your “ball” is ready.
Enjoy February with this indoor, absorbing demon target game!
Trick Theater
Let’s all try to guess what kind of underwear the ogre is wearing! Prepare pictures of an ogre and underwear, and set them up so the underwear area is hidden.
Show several types of underwear one by one, and have the children choose; place their selections into the pocket-like back side of the picture.
After a few seconds, lift the ogre picture to reveal the answer.
Ogre underwear is typically yellow with black stripes, but it’s more fun if there are lots of different answers.
Prepare multiple designs for the underwear and the ogre to delight the children!
hand play song
Many hand-play songs during the Setsubun season can be enjoyed together by a wide range of ages, from grandparents to children.
The most famous is “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants), and many people likely grew up listening to it.
It has a somewhat humorous feel to it.
Other hand-play songs for this season include “Mame-maki” (Bean-Throwing) and “Oni no Oyako” (Ogre Parent and Child).
By learning various hand-play songs, young children can also understand the meanings and origins of the festivities, making it more fun for them.
