[Setsubun] Let’s make an oni mask! A collection of ideas using everyday materials

Masks made with origami and paper plates

[Easy Craft] How to Make an Oni Mask ♪ Let’s all make one together and have fun on Setsubun! Paper Plate, Origami

People often say, “Demons out, fortune in,” but at Ohara Shrine in Kyoto, they reportedly chant, “Demons in, fortune out” during bean-throwing.

This chant carries the wish to invite demons into the shrine and send good fortune out into the world.

There really are many different chants.

If you’re looking for the simplest mask-making idea, try this one: design a demon by cutting and pasting origami onto a paper plate—super simple.

It’s a handy mask for a little bean-throwing at home with the family, and it’s also great if you want to make lots of demon masks!

Half Mask Made from Construction Paper

When it comes to Setsubun fun that rivals bean-throwing, it has to be ehomaki.

You face the year’s lucky direction—called the ehō—and silently eat an entire sushi roll.

It’s an old tradition that might make foreigners think, “How curious!” Here’s a mask that lets you eat your ehomaki while still wearing it.

Since it only covers half your face, you can capture photos that keep the Setsubun vibe intact! Still, it’s funny to see someone in an oni mask eating ehomaki, isn’t it? Enjoy your Setsubun party with this mask!

A mask with only the demon’s hair and horns

@chooobo2

Oni Mask Making 👹Made in FebruarySetsubun craftSetsubun#Nursery schoolNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Nursery School Craft#Childcare Crafting

♬ Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi – Ovall

For those who think, “I wish I could enjoy the Setsubun vibe more easily…,” this is for you.

These masks are sure to liven up city events or Setsubun parties with friends.

But despite being called a mask, there’s no demon face—it’s just the hair and horns! If you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” try making one and putting it on first.

You’ll definitely want to make more and have everyone wear them! For the hair, you could use yarn, pipe cleaners, or tissue paper flowers.

A mask made from a milk carton and a face mask

[Paper Clay] Oni Mask Made from a Milk Carton and Disposable Masks [Setsubun / Wing Silk]

This is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy making authentic masks—say, as a major Setsubun event—with like-minded friends.

The basic steps are as follows: Cut open a milk carton to create the base for an oni (demon) mask.

Sculpt the oni’s face on it with paper clay.

After it dries, paint it, thread an elastic cord for the mask, and you’re done.

Since you need a lot of materials and there are many steps, it’ll likely take more time than you expect.

It’s fine to repurpose mask ear loops as the elastic cord.

You could even make it the highlight of your event by teaming up to create one giant mask.

paper-mâché mask

A demon mask for Setsubun made with papier-mâché that you can make with children

If you want to don a three-dimensional mask with a satisfying snap, how about making an oni mask using papier-mâché? It takes quite a bit of time and patience, so it may be better suited for upper elementary school kids and older.

Inflate a balloon to use as the mold, brush on some glue, and layer on small torn pieces of paper.

Repeat this to build up the shape, and the papier-mâché base is done.

Then paint it to create the oni’s face.

It’s sure to become a memorable oni mask.

For younger children, you can use paper clay as a substitute to make a similar mask.

And don’t forget to make small holes to attach the elastic band!

A mask made from paper plates

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

Here’s an oni mask-making idea that kids can enjoy working on over two to three days.

First, show them a picture book or similar where oni appear to help them imagine what oni look like.

On day 1, have each child paint a paper plate.

Let them choose the face color—red or blue works well and brings out individuality.

Once the paint is dry, the teacher cuts out only the eye holes when the children are not present.

On day 2, have the children draw the mouth and glue yarn on as hair.

As a guideline, prepare pre-cut yarn for the 3-year-old class, and let the 4- and 5-year-old classes practice cutting the yarn themselves with scissors.

Offering a few yarn options helps them make an oni to their taste.

You can prepare horn and tooth parts in advance, or, if they can use scissors, have the children cut those out themselves.

After attaching the parts and letting the glue dry, the teacher adds an elastic band to finish.

Make unique masks with the children and enjoy Setsubun together.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

tsukada moe

Report a problem

Mask made from a paper bag

It's Setsubun today! Let's make an oni (demon) mask!

Here’s a mask-making idea using paper bags.

As preparation, trace the children’s face sizes onto the paper bags and cut out round holes.

If the children will cut out the horns or eyebrows themselves, draw the cutting lines with a pencil to make it smoother.

For decorating the horns, let them choose their favorite colored pens, or use paints and brushes—adjust the approach to fit the class’s age and atmosphere.

Creating glue tabs on the horns and taping them to the paper bag is suitable for classes of age 4 and up.

For younger classes, the teacher should handle that step.

Letting children choose hair from yarn or tissue paper helps create original masks that reflect their preferences.

Transform your adorable kids into little ogres and enjoy bean-throwing together.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

tsukada moe

Report a problem