Lovely childcare

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

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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!

Fun Setsubun Activities in Childcare! A Collection of Engaging Game and Craft Ideas (51–60)

Setsubun balance game toy

@chooobo2
Balance game 👹 This material will be distributed via an Instagram subscription ✨ You can also play by stacking plastic bottle caps or sponges 🌼Made in February Setsubun craft Setsubun #HandmadeToys paper plate #AtHomePlay Paper Plate Craft
Oria – niKu

Let’s try playing the “Setsubun Balance Game,” which helps kids develop their sense of balance while having fun! It’s easy to make: add two fold lines to a paper plate to create a wobbly base.

It’s a good idea to tape the plate so it doesn’t open back up.

Decorate the paper plate with construction paper and crayons, and make the pieces to place on top using printed oni (demon) materials.

You can also use bottle caps or sponges as substitutes, or draw your own illustrations on construction paper.

This game trains fine motor skills and balance, making it a great educational activity for children!

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Oni Wreath

Here’s a craft idea for a wreath that uses a paper plate to resemble an ogre’s (oni) pants.

Cut out the center of the paper plate, paint it, and glue on thin, torn strips of black construction paper to create a tiger stripe pattern.

For decorations, make Okame and Oni faces, as well as a tanzaku (paper strip), by cutting out parts from construction paper and gluing them together.

Attach a holly-and-sardine (hiiragi-iwashi) charm to the tanzaku and write any text you like.

Once you’ve arranged and glued the Okame and Oni onto the paper plate in a balanced way, hang the tanzaku in the center of the plate to finish.

Oni pants are traditionally yellow, but they’ll also look cute if you switch it up and make them pink or orange.

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Bean-throwing play with empty boxes

Before you throw away the empty box! Bean-throwing game ♪ BEAN SOWING GAME!

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!

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Introduction to games perfect for Setsubun

[Play] Fun activities perfect for Setsubun [Nursery school/Kindergarten]

Introduction to games perfect for Setsubun

February’s activities are decided: games themed around Setsubun! First, hide crumpled newspaper “beans” somewhere indoors and have players search for them in a bean-hunting game.

Split into two teams—hiders and seekers—and compete for the fastest time to make it exciting.

Second, try a Setsubun twist on the kids’ favorite Fruit Basket game.

Have the children wear colorful oni (ogre) masks they’ve made, and play Fruit Basket using the mask colors.

Change the call that makes everyone move from “Fruit Basket!” to “Oni wa soto!” (“Demons out!”).

The different rules will feel fresh and fun.

Third is a word game: set a pose for three words that begin with “oni.” When one person says “onigiri, onigiri, oni,” everyone else should strike the matching poses.

Let’s liven up February with Setsubun games!

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Fun Setsubun Activities for Preschool! A Collection of Exciting Game and Craft Ideas (61–70)

How to Make a Bean-Counting Game

Setsubun Craft | Bean-Throwing Fun Bean Basket Game 🏀 [February]

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!

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Roll it! Throw it! Demon-slaying

[Parent and Child Activity] Roll and Throw Toward the Target: Defeat the Oni with Movement Play!

Roll it! Throw it! Demon-slaying

Here’s an idea that lets kids move their bodies—throwing or rolling toward a target—while also enjoying a seasonal event.

Prepare five plastic bottles, some string, and origami paper, and make ogre (oni) faces with the origami.

It’s more fun with a variety of colors, so let them choose their favorites.

Encourage them to draw freely—smiling, angry, or crying faces—so their individuality can shine.

Attach string to each ogre face and secure it to a plastic bottle by fixing it under the cap, and you’re done.

Roll or throw a ball to knock down the plastic-bottle pins.

Making toys fosters imagination and gives a sense of accomplishment.

Above all, kids will feel attached to what they’ve made and learn to value their belongings.

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Oni Target-Throwing Game

DIY Setsubun: Oni Target-Throw Game | How to Make an Ogre Extermination Game

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!

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