[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!
- [For Kids] Indoor Fun! Large-Group Recreational Activities and Games
- Fun Setsubun Activities for Childcare: A Collection of Exciting Games and Craft Ideas
- [Childcare] February Setsubun Bean-Throwing! A Fun Collection of Oni Craft Ideas
- [Nursery Schools & Kindergartens] Liven Up Setsubun! Entertainment Ideas
- February: Liven up childcare! A collection of ideas for indoor play and physical activities
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- Rhythmic bean-throwing for Setsubun: fun music education for children
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- [Childcare] Enjoy Setsubun! A collection of handmade ideas you can decorate with and play with
- Get Fired Up with Setsubun Quizzes! A Collection of Fun Questions to Enjoy with Kids
- [Childcare] A collection of craft ideas for enjoying Setsubun
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
[Childcare] Fun Indoor Play Ideas for February That Work for Small or Large Groups (1–10)
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!
How to Make a Bean-Counting Game
A bean-toss game like basketball.
If you’re looking for a bean-throwing game that doesn’t involve scattering real beans—which are a pain to clean up and take up space—this activity is perfect.
Cut open one side of a milk carton and cover the outside with colored construction paper.
Fold the opened flap and secure it with vinyl tape.
Make horns and head parts from construction paper, attach them to paper cups, and draw an ogre’s face.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the paper cups, so it’s good to make several in different sizes.
Glue a plastic bottle cap to the bottom of the milk carton to create an incline, make your “beans,” and you’re done.
The feeling when a bean lands in the goal is sure to be addictive!
Oni Target-Throwing Game
For Setsubun in February, why not make a demon target game? A roly-poly-style demon target is fun to hit, and it’s also fun to watch it spring back upright.
Since it rights itself on its own, you can play over and over—this is the key appeal of the game! Prepare a capsule from a capsule toy, oil-based clay, a bamboo skewer, and two copies of a demon illustration.
Pack the oil-based clay into the clear half of the capsule.
Make a hole in the lid, pass the bamboo skewer through it, and attach the demon illustration.
You can print an illustration or draw your own.
Combine three thinly cut pieces of paper tube to make beans, and your “ball” is ready.
Enjoy February with this indoor, absorbing demon target game!
Demon-slaying pretend play
Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy a demon-slaying pretend play using familiar scrap materials? This time, let’s play with toilet paper rolls.
Make balls by crumpling newspaper.
Secure any parts that stick out with tape.
Cover the toilet paper rolls with construction paper to resemble oni (demons).
Use any color you like for the face, and of course make the pants yellow! Attach hair and horns, then draw patterns on the face and pants to finish.
Enjoy “Oni Bowling” by throwing the newspaper balls to knock them down.
Making lots of oni and stacking them up is fun too.
There are also ideas using cardboard and balloon-based demon-slaying games, so be sure to check those out for inspiration.
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!