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[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.”

[Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! Fun Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas (71–80)

Flip-flap Transform Card

Too scary—bursting into tears! Face transforms into a red ogre?! Handmade surprise drawing craft ♪ Educational content for kids ★ SanSan Kids TV ★
Flip-flap Transform Card

Do cute pictures transform into scary ogres? Let’s make a flippy transformation card that will surprise kids! You only need construction paper, glue, scissors, and a pencil.

Since the assembly is a bit complicated, it’s best for an adult to prepare the base, and have small children join in from the drawing stage.

You’ll draw a total of four pictures and flip between them, so it’s fun to create many ogre faces with different expressions and colors, or even make a short story themed around Setsubun.

And when the cute picture changes into a scary ogre, the kids are sure to give you a surprised reaction.

An ogre mask made of cardstock

Making Oni Masks with 2-Year-Olds [Yaizu Preschool]
An ogre mask made of cardstock

This is an ogre mask craft that makes the snipping of yarn into tiny pieces fun! Have your child cut the yarn and glue it onto the hair base sheet.

Then, glue the eyes, mouth, horns, and other parts onto the main piece of thick paper to complete the ogre mask.

It’s a good idea to pre-cut the parts and let your child help with the gluing and sticking.

Once it’s finished, attach it to a long, folded strip of construction paper, add a rubber band, and make it so they can wear it on their head.

Oni ornament made of origami

Setsubun origami craft: How to make an ogre (oni) decoration with audio commentary ☆ Origami — How to make an Ogre
Oni ornament made of origami

This is a stand-up origami Oni (ogre) decoration.

First, crease the origami paper along the diagonals and fold the corners toward the center.

Open it once, flip it over, fold it into a rectangle, then open it again.

Next, fold it into a triangle and continue folding along the creases you made to form the base of the Oni’s face.

Make the hair, eyes, and mouth separately using small pieces of origami paper, and glue them on at the end to finish.

The folding might be a bit tricky for young children, but give it a try!

[Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! A Fun Collection of Oni (Demon) Craft Ideas (81–90)

An ogre mask made from construction paper

[Craft Play] Let's make a cute oni (demon) hat out of construction paper and wear it for Setsubun!
An ogre mask made from construction paper

Let’s make a cute ogre hat out of construction paper! Place the paper vertically, then fold both top corners toward the opposite edges to create diagonal creases.

Open it once, flip it over, and make a horizontal crease where the diagonals intersect; fold along that line to form the triangular hat section.

Continue folding so it looks like an ogre with horns, then flip it over and glue on hair and facial features to finish.

Punch holes at both ends and thread elastic through, adjusting to fit the child’s head.

It’s also fun for the teacher to make the hat base and let the children draw the faces however they like!

An ogre mask made from a paper plate

Craft Play: Let's make an oni (demon) mask out of a paper plate—perfect for Setsubun crafts.
An ogre mask made from a paper plate

Paint a paper plate in your favorite color and make your own original oni (demon) mask.

Color the entire plate, draw the eyes and mouth with a marker, and cut out the eye openings.

Apply glue above the eyes and stick on short pieces of yarn to make the hair.

Then attach the horns and fangs, punch holes on both sides, thread an elastic band through, and you’re done.

Your personality is sure to shine through in your choice of colors and how you paint.

How about spending this year’s Setsubun with an oni mask in each person’s favorite color?

Oni mask made from a paper bag

Get ready for Setsubun★Let’s make an oni (demon) mask!
Oni mask made from a paper bag

Let’s transform a paper bag big enough for your child to wear into an ogre (oni) mask! Cut the handle area to fit your child’s head and cut out holes for the eyes.

To keep the shoulders from catching when it’s worn, round off the lower edge.

Next, attach horns and eye pieces made from thick paper or construction paper, and glue on wool felt or yarn to resemble hair—that’s it! Since it’s already in a wearable shape, there’s no need for any tricky assembly.

Have fun making it together with your child!

Oni’s Den-den Daiko (Demon’s Pellet Drum)

[Crafts / Setsubun] Let’s make an ogre den-den daiko (hand drum)♡
Oni's Den-den Daiko (Demon's Pellet Drum)

Let’s try making a cute oni (demon) den-den daiko by hand! Cut construction paper to create parts like the face and hair.

Glue the face parts onto a piece of thick cardstock and trim around it, then layer the other parts on top.

Draw the eyes and mouth with a marker, firmly attach a chopstick to the back, and make a hole on each side of the oni’s face.

Crumple aluminum foil into small balls, tie them to strings, thread them through the holes, and knot them—your den-den daiko is complete! It’s also a great way to discover a traditional Japanese toy.