Here are some recommended recreational activities themed around Setsubun.
Setsubun is one of the major events in February, so many nursing homes and day service centers likely enjoy fun activities like bean-throwing (mamemaki) and making masks.
While everyone does the recreation—grabbing beans and throwing them at the “oni” (ogres)—it might bring back memories of childhood.
There are also plenty of hand games and activities that can be done while seated, so everyone can enjoy them together.
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
- [For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using a Variety of Materials
- [Day Service] Setsubun decorations that bring smiles. Ideas for enjoying them with a variety of materials.
- [For Seniors] Today’s Recommended Activity: Fun and Engaging
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- For Seniors: Wishing for Good Health — Handmade Setsubun Decoration Ideas
- [For Seniors] Recommended Handmade Activities! Simple Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- Recommended fun performances that will appeal to elderly people
[For Seniors] Recommended Recreational Activities for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing (1–10)
Defeat the demons and bring out good fortune gameNEW!
@e6u42 [Day Service Center E-Yu] Defeat the Oni and Bring Forth Good Fortune Game#Asahikawa#Asahikawatranslation#WelfareCaregiverCaregivingElderlyNurse#CareManagerCare ManagerHome-visit nursingHelper RecruitmentCaregiver recruitment#AssistiveDevices#WantToConnectWithCaregiversResidential fee-based nursing homeLikeLike-backLooking for followsFollow meTranslationDay service recreation#vr360-degree cameraLooking for followsSetsubunDemonSetsubun
♬ Kizuna No Kiseki – MAN WITH A MISSION & milet
It’s a target game where plastic bottles filled with water have illustrations of demons stuck on them, and you knock them down by throwing beanbags or balls.
The fun part is how well the “Bring out good fortune” aspect of the game’s title is incorporated.
When a bottle falls, an illustration of Okame on the bottom becomes visible.
It has a score written on it, so you’ll want to reveal a high-scoring Okame—but you won’t know the score unless you knock it down.
It’s a fun game that tests your luck, so be sure to play it for Setsubun!
Snack Activity: Oni Cream PuffsNEW!
Give your usual snack a Setsubun twist! Here’s an idea for making oni (demons) with store-bought cream puffs.
Imagine the cream puff as a face, then pipe colored whipped cream on top to make the hair.
Draw the eyes and mouth with a chocolate pen.
Finally, stick in cone-shaped pieces as the horns to finish—but it’s recommended to let the seniors handle the final touches! Let them freely design whether it’s a one-horned or two-horned oni, and enjoy completing their very own unique demon.
Ehomaki Catching GameNEW!
This is a game where you use a tool with a loop tied to the end of a string to pick up ehomaki, a lucky item for Setsubun.
Please make the ehomaki in three-dimensional form using construction paper or recycled materials.
You’ll need about 30 of them, so create them in a way that allows for mass production.
Once the ehomaki are finished, roll them into a floor area bordered on three sides, and let participants enjoy the game.
Because ehomaki are round and long, it can be quite difficult to get them into the loop, but keep trying patiently while wishing for good health this year.
Setsubun Candy-Grabbing GameNEW!
Line up some snacks on a picnic sheet and toss a ring that’s tied to a string.
If the snacks end up inside the ring, reel the string in.
If you can pull it all the way to your feet without the snacks slipping out of the ring, you win! The amount of snacks you can get changes depending on where you throw the ring, so you’ll want to choose carefully.
Will you aim for the big prize, or go for lots of smaller ones? It’s a fun game that might even reveal your personality.
Be sure to enjoy it using snacks in Setsubun-themed packaging.
Setsubun StrikeoutNEW!
Let’s enjoy a strikeout game—throwing balls to knock out nine targets—with a Setsubun twist.
Normally the panels are numbered 1 through 9, but you can replace them with illustrations of oni (demons) and okame (comedic female masks).
That alone makes it a perfect recreation activity for Setsubun! While strikeout sets can be rented, if you want to customize them, we recommend making your own with cardboard and other materials.
Also, to ensure older adults can participate comfortably, don’t place the throwing line too far from the targets.
Food activity: making Ehomaki (lucky direction sushi rolls)NEW!
For a Setsubun lunch, how about actually making ehomaki? If you’re a woman, you’ve probably made them by hand at least once, so it might bring back fond memories.
Spread a thin layer of rice over the nori and place the fillings on top.
Traditionally, in reference to the Seven Lucky Gods, common fillings include kanpyo (dried gourd strips), tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), cucumber, and shrimp, but it’s a good idea to choose fillings that are easy for older adults to eat.
Once you’ve added the fillings, roll it up and enjoy together.
As you eat, have fun chatting about how it tastes and what kinds of fillings you like.
Demon slayingNEW!
It’s a game where you see how many balls you can throw into a moving oni target.
The oni target has its mouth wide open, with a bag attached at the back to collect the balls.
There are strings attached to the oni’s left and right sides, and pulling these strings up, down, left, and right makes the oni move.
It’s hard to land a ball while it’s moving, so your best chance is that brief moment when it stops before its next move! If there’s a time limit, it might be efficient to toss about three balls in quick succession.
Let’s all work together to defeat the oni!