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

Oni Underpants Exercise

Tried a tried-and-true Setsubun activity [Light brain-training recreation for elderly care prevention]

When it comes to characters essential to Setsubun, oni (demons) are a must—and the go-to song that depicts them is “Oni no Pantsu.” Let’s do exercises to this song and get a feel for what Setsubun oni look like by moving our bodies.

A key point is not only the oni’s horns but also how to express their “pants.” By incorporating clapping and finger shapes, it effectively trains the fingertips as well.

Rather than limiting movements to in front of the body, it’s recommended to include steps like marching to engage the whole body thoroughly.

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kappamaki

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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.

Performing the demon dance

Day Home Nozawa Setsubun Event! Oni Dance Performance!

Speaking of Setsubun, it marks the Lunar New Year and the start of a new year.

The bean-throwing chant of Setsubun—“Demons out, fortune in”—expresses the wish to drive bad things out of the house at the year’s beginning and invite good fortune.

While “oni” (demons) represent those bad things, they’re also basically the stars of Setsubun, aren’t they? How about dressing up as an oni and performing a dance to a Setsubun song? A classic choice is the children’s song ‘Oni no Pantsu’—it’s cute, easy to dance to, and familiar to everyone, so it’s sure to liven things up.

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utatane

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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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kappamaki

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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!

Setsubun hand play

[Hand Play Series] Bean-Throwing (Mamemaki)

This is a simple Setsubun hand game.

You wave your hands and make shapes with your fingers to the tune of a children’s song.

Moving your fingertips also helps stimulate the brain, so it’s recommended for older adults as well.

Singing and dancing are fun too, but this is something anyone can play anytime, anywhere, without worrying about those around them.