Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas
When it comes to Setsubun, bean-throwing is the classic activity, but many teachers at daycare centers and kindergartens may be wondering what kinds of games to include.
Especially for very young children like one-year-olds, it’s important to come up with ideas they can enjoy without being scared.
So here, we’ve gathered a variety of play and game ideas perfect for Setsubun.
From oni target-throwing and bowling to treasure hunts, these are all ideas that will bring smiles to children’s faces.
Many can be prepared with materials you already have on hand, so please feel free to use them as a reference!
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Fun Setsubun Activities in Childcare! A Collection of Ideas for Exciting Games and Crafts (21–30)
A gentle Setsubun 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.
Gymnastics! Oni Ranger
In Setsubun, demons are the villains, but some kids might secretly think the demons’ strength is cool.
Here’s a gymnastics song that those kids are sure to enjoy: “Oni Ranger.” In this song, three heroes of justice appear: Red Oni Ranger, Blue Oni Ranger, and Pink Oni Ranger.
Pick your favorite Oni Ranger and try dancing along.
Since it’s a gymnastics routine, focus on making big, full-body movements.
During the instrumental break, you can move freely.
Fun Setsubun Activities in Childcare! A Collection of Exciting Game and Craft Ideas (31–40)
Gymnastics! The Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre
Let’s try dancing to “The Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre”! Since it has solid choreography, it’s also great as a performance for Setsubun events.
After tapping your knees and shoulders, quickly open both arms overhead, or keep both arms extended to the sides and do a one-foot jump with a full turn.
The powerful moves match the song perfectly and are part of the appeal.
If two or more people are dancing, it’s nice to show off each person’s signature pose.
The choreography itself repeats, so kids can imitate it and have fun dancing along.
Setsubun Magic
When you pull the card, the picture changes! It’s a Setsubun magic trick that uses a special mechanism.
Make red, blue, green, and yellow ogres in various colors so kids can enjoy all kinds of ogre expressions.
This card has a piece of white paper inside the frame that acts as a divider; when you pull out the card, the color illustration behind the divider becomes visible, and the picture changes.
If you don’t know the trick, it feels just like watching magic, doesn’t it? The kids are sure to love it!
How do we convey Setsubun?
Many of you may be wondering how best to explain Setsubun to children.
If that’s the case, please use this story as a reference.
Why is Setsubun in February? Why do we hang hiragi-iwashi (holly and sardines) on the front door? What kind of beans are used to drive away ogres? This content provides clear answers to those questions.
It’s explained while showing illustrations in a sketchbook, so it should be easy for children to understand.
Setsubun Dance “The Oni’s Underpants”
If you’re going to dance for Setsubun, how about “Oni no Pantsu”? It’s such a famous song that it’s the first one that comes to mind when you think of oni songs.
Oni are strong, and the underwear they wear is super tough too! They say it won’t rip even after ten years.
Let’s move our bodies to this unique and fun “Oni no Pantsu.” Just like in hand-play games, use clapping and the peace sign to represent the word “pantsu.” When expressing strength, make fists with both hands.
I think it would be lovely to dance dressed like an oni, too!
Cute tissue-paper! Oni mask
An ogre mask featuring tissue-paper hair as a key accent is a perfect item to enliven February’s bean-throwing event! Make the base of the mask with red or blue construction paper.
Crumple tissue paper into balls and glue them onto the base.
To create a three-dimensional hair effect, it’s best to scrunch the paper before attaching it.
Make the eyes and horns using construction paper and crayons.
Once you’ve also made the nose, cheeks, and fangs, stick them onto the mask.
Connect a piece of thick paper with double-sided tape to two rubber bands, and you’re done! Create unique ogres—smiling, crying, angry—and enjoy Setsubun.
