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

A mask made with origami

Setsubun Origami Craft: How to Make Ogre and Otafuku Mask Headbands (with Audio Commentary)

We often talk about red oni and blue oni, but have you ever wondered, “Why are they different colors?” The colors of oni represent different kinds of worldly desires and vices: red stands for desire, blue for hatred, and so on—each color has a proper meaning.

How about enjoying a story about oni while making an oni mask out of origami? Since there are more than 10 folding steps, it’s better suited for people who are good with their hands.

It might go most smoothly if one person masters it first and then teaches everyone else.

Be sure to make the headband portion out of origami as well.

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!

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.

A cute mask made with construction paper and yarn

Making Oni Masks with 2-Year-Olds [Yaizu Preschool]

When making masks, the material is often construction paper, so they tend to end up looking a bit flat, right? So here’s a twist for the ogre’s hair: how about using colorful yarn? The main body can be a ring type that fits on the head or a face-covering mask type—either is fine—but be sure to use yarn for the ogre’s hair.

Just that will give your mask a three-dimensional look and make it more fun.

Pair blue yarn with a pink ogre and you’ve got an irresistibly cute, super-stylish ogre! Use colorful construction paper and a variety of yarns to create a happy ogre!

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.

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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 by cutting out the center of a paper plate

Sometimes when you buy beans for Setsubun, they come with a small, perfectly round oni mask, right? Using that mask as inspiration, why not make an oni mask with a paper plate? If you cut out the center of the plate and pop it over the face, your child’s expressions won’t be hidden.

If you want it to double as a face mask, attach a mask over the mouth area.

Since you’ll need a craft knife to cut out the center, have an adult handle that part.

Kids can customize more than you might think—like making the oni’s hair with yarn and adding horns with thick paper or cardstock.

And since we’re in an eco-friendly era, the paper plate doesn’t have to be brand new as long as it’s clean!