[Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! A Fun Collection of Oni Craft Ideas
As Setsubun approaches, creating oni-themed crafts becomes one of the fun activities at nurseries and kindergartens.
For two-year-olds, the experience of making something with their own hands is a very important time.
Coloring, sticking on parts, enjoying the feel of different materials—through these kinds of activities, their interest in seasonal events deepens significantly.
Here, we’ve gathered plenty of oni craft ideas perfect for Setsubun, from masks and bean containers to unique play items.
Make this year’s Setsubun even more fun together with the children! Note: In this article, we use the term “seisaku” (制作) to refer to children’s creations as “works.”
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[Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! Fun Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas (71–80)
Origami mask
As Setsubun approaches, many daycare centers and kindergartens probably fold oni (ogre) figures out of origami.
You can use that same origami oni as a mask.
First, fold the oni’s face, then make two strips out of origami paper.
Finally, attach the two strips to the origami oni and fasten the ends of the strips together with a rubber band, and you’re done.
If you use other motifs for the face, you can make Otafuku masks or animal masks, too.
The person throwing beans can wear an Otafuku mask, and there are lots of ways to have fun with different masks.
Bean container made with origami
Here are four types of origami bean-holding boxes you can make.
Each has a different shape, so it might be best to show the children samples and let them fold their favorite.
Basically, you repeat the same folding steps several times to form the box, but there are parts where you need to open and squash the paper, or make firm creases.
For those steps, an adult should work alongside the children and demonstrate as they go.
Once the box is folded, decorate it with Setsubun-themed parts to finish it off!
cute origami demon
Let’s try folding original oni (ogres) with origami! Choosing your own favorite colors of paper and adding the oni’s face and pants patterns with stickers or drawing them with crayons will result in colorful ogres full of each child’s individuality—highly recommended.
Display them on the nursery classroom wall or hang them around the room to create a Setsubun atmosphere and further lift the children’s spirits.
On the day of Setsubun, it’s also fun for everyone to attach the origami oni to masks and wear them while doing mamemaki (bean-throwing).
An ogre mask made with torn-paper collage
Even children who aren’t good with scissors can enjoy making this oni (demon) mask! Prepare the base oni shape in advance, and let the child be in charge of the hair.
Tear colored or patterned origami paper into small pieces, apply glue to the hair area, and simply fill it in with the torn paper.
You can attach it to the head using cardstock and a rubber band, or leave it as a wall decoration—it will look cute either way.
It’s enjoyable even for kids who find tools difficult to use or who aren’t comfortable with origami, so be sure to try making it together.
Oni mask made with papier-mâché
Let’s make papier-mâché demon masks that even small children can enjoy.
First, tear the paper into small pieces.
Kids love the ripping “biri-biri” action, don’t they? Next, use inflated balloon and paste the torn paper on it with liquid glue.
The key is to cover it without any gaps.
Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and cut the dried round piece in half.
You’ll get two mask shapes, so it’s fun for a parent and child to wear them together.
Try painting them red or blue, and add horns and facial features to create your very own original oni mask.
An ogre’s club made from cardboard and newspaper
Let’s make a club that really brings out an ogre’s strength! First, wrap a gardening stake with cardboard to add rigidity.
Next, cover the cardboard with newspaper to smooth it out and shape it into a club.
Then coat the surface by applying black duct tape all around.
Finally, attach lots of black cups or crumpled newspaper to the club to create a bumpy texture—and it’s done.
Dress up as an ogre and make a grand entrance, swinging your rugged, glossy black club, and you’ll have maximum impact—sure to amaze the kids.
It’s quite sturdy, so be sure to use it in a spacious area where it won’t hit people or objects.
It’s also fairly heavy, so if you’re making one for children, it’s best to choose a shorter stake.
Ogre decorations made with toilet paper rolls
These cute little ogre decorations are perfect for Setsubun! Cut a toilet paper roll in half, then wrap the lower half with origami paper decorated with a leopard print for the ogre’s pants.
Cover the upper half with red or blue origami paper for the ogre’s body color.
Draw the facial features with a marker or cut them from origami and stick them on, and you’ll have a round, adorable ogre! They’re so cute that kids might not even want to “defeat” them.
Let children choose any pants pattern and ogre color they like.