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[Childcare] Fun February Indoor Play Ideas That Work for Both Small and Large Groups
As Setsubun approaches, many people at nursery schools and kindergartens may be looking for games and activities to enjoy with the children.
From lively group recreations to simple hand-play activities that even little ones can join, here are some perfect games for Setsubun.
You can adapt classic games into oni (ogre) versions, pretend to do bean throwing using balls as beans, and come up with endless ways to play depending on your ideas.
Teachers, please join the children in creating happy, laughter-filled memories of Setsubun!
[Childcare] Fun Indoor Play Ideas for February That Work for Small or Large Groups (1–10)
Production that can also create a demon-slaying game
Here’s a two-in-one idea that’s fun for both crafting and play: an oni (ogre) bean-throwing game for Setsubun.
Cut solid-color or patterned origami paper and glue it onto a paper tube.
Using various patterns and colors will make it bright and cute.
Make horns with gold origami, and crumple tissue paper to create hair and attach it.
Draw the face with colored pens, and make “beans” from tissue paper to finish.
Both the crafting process and playing with your own creation will make wonderful memories.
It’s also great that you can make it with items from a 100-yen shop or with recycled materials—give it a try!
Thunder Game
This is an indoor game called the “Thunder Game,” where children lie down and roll around playfully.
The children lie on their backs on the spot.
One child plays the role of thunder, approaching the others while saying “rumble, rumble, rumble…” Then, at the cue “BOOM!” everyone must flip onto their stomachs and hide their belly buttons.
If they fail to hide their belly button in time, the thunder steals it and they get caught.
To make it even more exciting, the thunder can fake them out by making big gestures without saying “BOOM!”, or mix in other words that start with a “do” sound in Japanese, like “doboon!” (splash!) or “dosun!” (thud!).
Setsubun balance game toy
https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7461961510059773202Let’s try playing the “Setsubun Balance Game,” which helps kids develop their sense of balance while having fun! It’s easy to make: add two fold lines to a paper plate to create a wobbly base.
It’s a good idea to tape the plate so it doesn’t open back up.
Decorate the paper plate with construction paper and crayons, and make the pieces to place on top using printed oni (demon) materials.
You can also use bottle caps or sponges as substitutes, or draw your own illustrations on construction paper.
This game trains fine motor skills and balance, making it a great educational activity for children!
Let’s defeat the demon with a ball!
February is still full of chilly days, so let’s get moving and play indoors! This Setsubun game involves defeating the oni (ogre) by throwing balls at it.
Ideally, the target oni is made in separate parts—head, torso, and left and right legs—and then assembled.
It’s fun because the way it falls changes depending on where you hit it: hit the head and only the head might drop; hit the torso and the whole thing might topple over.
When it’s knocked down, set it back up and try again and again.
Cheer each other on—“You can do it!”—and work together with friends to defeat the oni.
It’s a great way to build cooperation and learn the importance of steady, persistent effort.
Fun Oni (Demon) Games for Infant Classes
Try fun oni-themed games that capture the Setsubun season: “Mame Korogashi,” where you roll up a newspaper into a ball and roll it around; “Mame-maki,” where you throw newspaper ‘beans’ at an oni face or its pants; “Pak-kun Oni Golf,” where you aim balls into a cardboard target; and “Oni Balloon Play,” using balloons decorated with many oni faces.
Do a warm-up with the Oni’s Pants dance, then start the games—pick whichever activities interest you.
Playing with toys made by you or by older students from other classes sparks curiosity and fosters a sense of achievement and self-esteem.
Feel free to use these ideas and bring Setsubun play into your activities.
Bean-throwing play with empty boxes
How about a bean-throwing game idea that turns an empty box you’d normally throw away into a fun toy? It’s perfect for indoor play in February.
Fix the box lid upright with duct tape or similar so it stands vertically.
Line the bottom of the box with colored construction paper, and stick a paper-made oni (demon) face and pants on the inside of the lid.
For hair, use small pieces of colorful origami paper for a fun look.
Using shiny, reflective origami will also get kids excited.
Make paper balls by crumpling origami, then throw them at the oni.
If they land inside the box, you win!
Introduction to games perfect for Setsubun
February’s activities are decided: games themed around Setsubun! First, hide crumpled newspaper “beans” somewhere indoors and have players search for them in a bean-hunting game.
Split into two teams—hiders and seekers—and compete for the fastest time to make it exciting.
Second, try a Setsubun twist on the kids’ favorite Fruit Basket game.
Have the children wear colorful oni (ogre) masks they’ve made, and play Fruit Basket using the mask colors.
Change the call that makes everyone move from “Fruit Basket!” to “Oni wa soto!” (“Demons out!”).
The different rules will feel fresh and fun.
Third is a word game: set a pose for three words that begin with “oni.” When one person says “onigiri, onigiri, oni,” everyone else should strike the matching poses.
Let’s liven up February with Setsubun games!