Make childcare more fun with winter quizzes! Seasonal ideas to get kids excited

black soybeans

Kuromame (black soybeans), which are often included in osechi (New Year’s dishes), are considered lucky foods due to a play on words implying “to work diligently” and “to live diligently.” The color black is believed to ward off evil, helping to dispel misfortune for the year. Since they’re sweetly seasoned, even children who usually dislike beans may find them easy to eat.

chocolate

As Valentine’s Day approaches, shops line their shelves with all kinds of chocolate. Chocolate is sweet and is said to symbolize love. Handmade chocolates filled with feelings for someone special are also popular. In the past, it was common for women to give chocolate to men, but these days many people exchange it with friends or give it to those who’ve helped them.

soybean

Soybeans are considered good for driving away evil because they’re bigger than rice and make a louder sound when thrown. That’s why, during Setsubun, we throw soybeans at the ogres (oni) we see to chase them away. It might be scary when an oni shows up, but trust in the power of soybeans and drive them out!

ogre

When Setsubun comes around, the ogres (oni) appear. They may seem very scary, but it’s said that oni like the Crybaby Ogre or the Mean Ogre are the parts of our hearts where we’re weak taking shape. Throw beans to drive away bad things and invite in good fortune—say “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Good fortune in!”) as you toss beans at the oni!

Ehomaki

Ehomaki are sushi rolls eaten on Setsubun, and the direction you face while eating them is decided each year. There’s also a rule that you must not talk while eating them, because it’s said that if you speak mid-bite, the happiness will escape from your mouth.

Cold Arctic

Polar bears like cold places and live in the Arctic. The Arctic is full of snow and ice. For example, it includes areas like Canada, Greenland, and Russia. There is snow and ice there, making it a comfortable place for polar bears to live. In hot places, their bodies get too warm and they can’t survive.

bear

Bears spend the winter in a state of “fuyugomori,” staying still and moving very little. This is also called hibernation. In winter, to protect themselves from the cold, they stay quiet and eat very little.