Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities

A demon made by winding yarn

Here’s a simple craft idea for making an oni (ogre) decoration.

Cut cardboard into a square and create the oni’s face.

Wrap the cut cardboard with yarn in colors you like, such as blue or red.

Attach the facial features, and your oni is complete.

You can display it on a decorative fan base for a festive look, or mount it on construction paper or colored paper for a lovely finish.

To give it a Setsubun feel, arrange holly leaves or plum blossoms around the oni to create a lively atmosphere.

It’s also fun to make several Setsubun-themed parts together with older adults.

You can prepare the parts in advance, let the seniors choose the pieces, and have them finish the work in their preferred style.

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Nakajima Junko

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Cute origami oni wreath

[Origami] How to Make a Setsubun Wreath [With Voice Commentary] Cute Ideas for Setsubun Decorations!

When you think of Setsubun, you might picture scary ogres, but this time we’ll make a cute Setsubun wreath with origami.

We’ll create the base of the origami wreath, and since the steps aren’t complicated, it’s easy for seniors to try.

You’ll make several identical pieces for the base, so once you master how to fold one, the rest becomes simple.

After completing the wreath base, prepare parts related to Setsubun, such as ogres, Otafuku masks, and holly leaves.

You can make the parts together with seniors, or use items sold at 100-yen shops.

Even seniors who find it difficult to sense the seasons may be able to recall February through the crafting activity and by seeing the Setsubun wreath displayed on the wall.

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Nakajima Junko

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Recommended for class activities! Draw your favorite demon

February Mural [Which Oni Face Catches Your Eye!?]

When you think of events in February, Setsubun probably comes to mind.

And when you think of Setsubun, you think of oni (ogres).

How about making unique oni crafts as a recreation activity? Staff can prepare the base parts in advance, such as the oni’s face, horns, and hair.

The rest can be drawn or decorated by the seniors, resulting in oni full of each person’s creativity.

Oni with one or two horns, or even a one-eyed oni—each one uniquely made by the participants.

When these oni are displayed on the facility walls and brighten up the rooms, some seniors may feel the season and grow fond of them.

It’s a project that enhances the Setsubun spirit and brings enjoyment.

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Nakajima Junko

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Bean picking contest with chopsticks

Mame Hasami Day Service Kizuna

It’s a game where you compete to see how fast you can move beans from one plate to another using chopsticks.

Because you use chopsticks, it also serves as rehabilitation by moving your hands.

The beans are slipperier than you’d think, so it might be unexpectedly difficult.

Having a time limit makes it quite thrilling.

Demon bean box

[Origami for Setsubun] How to Fold an Oni Bean-Holder Box [With Voice Commentary] Easy with One Sheet! Practical Origami You Can Use for Bean-Throwing

How about making an “oni bean box” for Setsubun? Since it’s made with origami, you’ll use your hands and enjoy a bit of brain training, too.

Draw an ogre’s face on it and use it for bean-throwing—it’s sure to liven things up! You can also fill it with sweets or use it as a decoration, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy it.

It’s fun to make them together and chat about old stories.

You might even find yourself saying, “Back in the day…” as you admire the finished pieces.

Savor the season and have a great time.

Let’s all make one together!

Rock-Paper-Scissors Oni Island

Oni Island Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament (Sales) @ Peony Walk Higashimatsuyama (2011/12/25)

Speaking of motifs related to Setsubun, ogres (oni) come to mind, and when it comes to stories featuring oni, Momotaro is the classic—so this is a game that depicts the battle between Momotaro and the oni.

It’s a team-based competitive game split into the Peach (Momotaro) Team and the Oni Team, and you play using rock-paper-scissors and dice.

Teams face off in rock-paper-scissors; the winning team rolls a die and reduces the opposing team’s characters’ HP by the number shown.

You win by depleting all of the opposing characters’ HP.

The losing team draws a card and performs the specified exercise.

Since each character has separate HP, players also practice calculation as they decide how to allocate damage, and even when you lose, you get to move your body through the exercises.

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Making a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)

Easy to make! Handmade den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)

You can make it right away with paper plates, disposable chopsticks, string, and a ball made by rolling up a flyer.

It’s a toy based on the shōko, a percussion instrument used in gagaku.

It’s used more often as a rattle to soothe babies than as an instrument.

If you draw an ogre’s face on the drum part, it’ll feel even more like Setsubun!