[Childcare] Fun February Indoor Play Ideas That Work for Both Small and Large Groups

Exciting tag game

How to Play the Exciting Oni Game: Setsubun Version

Let us introduce “Three-Color Tag,” a game you can enjoy in red, blue, and green groups! Participants split into three groups—red, blue, and green—and everyone is “it.” Each group has its own base, which is a safe zone.

However, once you leave your base, you’ll be targeted by players from other groups, and if you’re tagged, you’ll be captured by that group.

You can call for help from a member of your own group; if they tag you, you can return to your base.

Those are the basic rules, but in the Setsubun version, the teacher beats a drum and calls out “Demons out!” When this signal is given, all the “it” players must leave their bases.

Anyone caught after the signal must sit down where they are and call for help from their teammates.

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sasashina

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Fun snow play in your room!

How about enjoying some snow play indoors? You can make “snow” by cutting thin paper like tissue or flower paper into small pieces.

The floor will turn completely white, and every movement will send fluffy flakes dancing—kids are sure to be thrilled! You can even make snowmen: stick double-sided tape on crumpled newspaper and roll it over the paper snow to collect it.

Add round stickers for eyes, and attach a construction-paper carrot nose and a bucket, and you’ll have a row of cute, wintry snowmen decorating the room.

Pack in lots of ideas that kids will love and have a blast with plenty of snow play!

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Let’s enjoy the bean-throwing game!

@mammybear_

Last week during Setsubun bean-throwing, the children at each class enjoyed various games.#Nursery schoolBean-throwing (Setsubun)Demons out, fortune in.Recommended

♬ Red Ogre and Blue Ogre Tango (Kids Song Cover) [from “NHK Educational TV E Tele - Okaasan to Issho”] – UtaSTAR

A heart-pounding event in February! How about trying some games perfect for Setsubun? You can pull a ring filled with beans to carry them, or throw beans at an oni target to defeat the ogre—plenty of Setsubun atmosphere to enjoy.

Let the children also have fun making masks and beans, and use the games to help them learn about the Setsubun tradition.

Feel free to adapt the rules to suit different ages! When older preschoolers carry the beans, turning it into a team competition will likely get everyone excited.

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3 hand-play activities for Setsubun bean-throwing

[Fingerplay] 3 Recommended Oni and Bean-Throwing Fingerplays [Daycare/Kindergarten]

We’d like to introduce some fun hand-play activities for Setsubun, a traditional event to drive away evil spirits that appear during seasonal transitions! The first is the classic “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants).

It’s a song about the ogre’s sturdy underpants that never tear, even after many years, and you express “pants” with handclaps and a peace-sign gesture.

The second is a song called “Mame-maki” (Bean Throwing), where you use your hands to mimic tossing beans and inviting in good fortune, just like the real bean-throwing ritual.

The third, “Oni no Oyako” (Ogre Parent and Child), is enjoyed by changing your voice and facial expressions to match the characters: the father ogre, mother ogre, and child ogre.

When the “Pika!” lightning part comes, energetically thrust both hands forward!

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sasashina

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Oni Bowling

Bowling Game with PET Bottle Monsters [DIY] [Handmade Toy]

How about a bowling game that kids love—with a Setsubun twist by turning the pins into oni (demons)? Stuff empty plastic bottles with colored paper for the oni’s body color, then attach parts like the oni’s pants, horns, and face using colored construction paper around the outside.

For the bowling ball, crumple up newspaper into a ball and wrap it all around with vinyl tape in your favorite colors.

And don’t just make red or blue oni—use lots of colors to create a cute and colorful bowling set!

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Eurhythmics “Mame Mame, Pah”

[Setsubun Play] 'Mame-mame, Pa' (Bean-Throwing Eurhythmics)

This is a Setsubun-themed eurhythmics activity using a loop towel.

In this version, you identify the direction the oni (demon) is coming from by sound, and throw the towel, treating it like beans.

Actual bean-throwing is fun, but cleaning up can be hard and it may pose a choking risk for small children, so this is a good alternative.

The towel loops around the hand for a secure hold, so kids can throw it over and over without making a mess.

It’s also convenient because you can easily get one at a 100-yen shop.

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Finger play ‘Oni no Oyako’ (Demon Parent and Child)

Hand play for Setsubun: 'Oni Parent and Child' 👹 with lyrics

Here’s a fun fingerplay song connected to the theme of oni (ogres): “Oni no Oyako” (“The Ogre Family”).

It’s a song that focuses on the horns on their heads, which are common to both ordinary oni and thunder-god-style oni.

The humorous lyrics highlight each character: verse 1 says “the child’s horns are small,” verse 2 says “the father’s horns are big,” and verse 3 says “the mother’s horns are scary.” The fun part is making your own gestures—showing small horns as small, big horns as big, and so on.

The ending “goro-goro…” where you rotate your arms also lets children express themselves freely.

It’s also enjoyable when children face each other and perform it together.