Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas

[Origami] Oni (Japanese ogre/demon)

[Origami Play] Easy Setsubun Craft! Let's Make Cute Oni (Demons) with Origami

Let’s make an oni (demon) out of origami—perfect for Setsubun crafts and wall decorations! For this version, you’ll use two sheets of origami paper to create the head and body.

With the same folding method for the facial parts, you can make either a one-horned or two-horned oni, so it’s fun to make two in different colors.

The body follows the same steps as the “deceiving boat” (damashi-bune) fold up to a certain point.

If you align the horns carefully and make crisp folds, it will come out nicely.

If children are folding, teachers or guardians should demonstrate a sample and guide them step by step, checking each stage as they go.

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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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Setsubun Hand Play Medley

#80 [Nursery School] Setsubun Hand-Play Medley 👺 With Lyrics ♫

Here’s an introduction to hand-play activities using four songs perfect for Setsubun: “Oni no Pantsu,” “Mame-maki,” “Kaminari-don ga Yatte Kita,” and “Oni no Oyako.” These are all classic songs for children, and they’re a perfect fit for Setsubun! How about trying them on the day itself, or using them as a fun way to introduce the Setsubun tradition? “Kaminari-don ga Yatte Kita” includes a game-like element where children quickly hide the body part that’s called out, making it especially suitable for preschoolers.

Enjoy with whichever songs you like best!

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Driving out demons by bean-throwing

As Expected, the 'Oni' Came and Began to Rampage — 2023

Speaking of Setsubun, it’s all about driving away the ogres! Ogres with scary faces come to visit the children.

We throw beans to chase them off, but those ogres can be pretty tough! Some kids might even almost get carried away… Little ones will probably be scared and cry, but for 4- and 5-year-olds, if everyone discusses in advance how to defeat the ogres and how to protect their friends, it might give them the courage to fight.

Prepare thoroughly, and on the day, take careful aim and throw those beans!

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Hide-and-seek with the Ogre

Introducing 4 types of bean-throwing games for ages 0–5!

Would you like to try playing the “Oni Hunt Game,” where you search for ogres buried in the sandbox? This is a game for infants.

Make a few ogres using paper cups or plastic bottles, then hide them by covering them with sand.

If you hide them completely, little ones will have trouble finding them, so cover only the lower part with sand.

They clear the game when they find an ogre! Ask a teacher or older kids in an upper class who are good at crafts to make the ogres.

Since small children will be handling them, be sure to secure all parts firmly with tape so nothing comes off.

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Easy! Newspaper Theater

[Daycare] Setsubun Performance / Newspaper Theater / Easy Prep Yet Exciting [Bean-Throwing Event]

Let’s make an ehomaki using newspaper! Use the first sheet as the seaweed, then stack additional sheets as the “fillings” suggested by the children.

Once you’ve finished stacking, roll it up while wishing for everyone’s good health to complete the ehomaki.

But we’re not done yet! Next, while pretending to eat it, the teacher will make a cross-shaped cut on one end of the newspaper with scissors.

After making the cuts, twist the center of the newspaper and pull it out.

Now the ehomaki has turned into a metal club (kanabō), so from here, let’s enjoy mamemaki (bean-throwing)!

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A gentle Setsubun for infants

A gentle Setsubun event for infants

This is a sketchbook theater featuring Usako-chan the crybaby and Miketa-kun the hothead.

If you look closely at the two of them, you’ll notice ogres hiding there.

Usako-chan has a Crybaby Ogre, and Miketa-kun has a Hothead Ogre hiding inside.

Now, let’s all throw beans together and drive the ogres away! Once the ogres are gone, both of them are smiling, aren’t they? When you realize there are ogres, try asking the children once, “What do you think we should do?” I’m sure you’ll hear all sorts of interesting solutions.

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