[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!
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[Childcare] Fun Indoor Play Ideas for February That Work for Small or Large Groups (31–40)
A bean-picking game for practicing with chopsticks
Beans are essential for Setsubun.
You eat as many as your age, and they’re used for driving away demons.
This is a game that uses those beans.
Using chopsticks, move the beans to the dish next to it.
You can compete for the best time individually, or set a number like “five per person” and enjoy a team match.
Since beans are slippery, wooden chopsticks might make them easier to pick up.
It’s also fun to stick a demon’s face on the bottom of the bean dish so that, once all the beans are moved, a crying demon face appears.
Big laughs with fukuwarai!
Fukuwarai may give the impression of being a New Year’s game, but it’s fun to play any time.
It’s simple and easy to understand, people of all ages can join in, and it’s entertaining both for those playing and those watching.
Why not try making your own original version—like an oni (ogre) fukuwarai—and have a go?
Driving out demons by bean-throwing
Speaking of Setsubun, it’s all about driving away the ogres! Ogres with scary faces come to visit the children.
We throw beans to chase them off, but those ogres can be pretty tough! Some kids might even almost get carried away… Little ones will probably be scared and cry, but for 4- and 5-year-olds, if everyone discusses in advance how to defeat the ogres and how to protect their friends, it might give them the courage to fight.
Prepare thoroughly, and on the day, take careful aim and throw those beans!
Oni Knockdown Game (Target Shooting)
Speaking of Setsubun, lots of kids probably look forward to bean-throwing, right? But cleaning up the scattered beans is a pain, and having kids eat beans that fell on the floor is… well.
For you, here’s an idea! Attach an oni (ogre) illustration to a plastic bottle and knock it down with beanbags.
Using small packets of beans to knock it down makes it feel even more like Setsubun.
Hide-and-seek with the Ogre
Would you like to try playing the “Oni Hunt Game,” where you search for ogres buried in the sandbox? This is a game for infants.
Make a few ogres using paper cups or plastic bottles, then hide them by covering them with sand.
If you hide them completely, little ones will have trouble finding them, so cover only the lower part with sand.
They clear the game when they find an ogre! Ask a teacher or older kids in an upper class who are good at crafts to make the ogres.
Since small children will be handling them, be sure to secure all parts firmly with tape so nothing comes off.