I rarely sew (the thick layer of dust on my sewing machine can attest to that!), but you don’t need to be an accomplished seamstress to make these animal bean bags. I’m talking amateur to amateur here. All you really need are these templates, a sewing machine (or needle and thread) and a little enthusiasm!
I was inspired to make bean bags after reading about some bean bag throwing games on Playing and Learning Begins at Home. Problem was, I didn’t have any bean bags. I was going to buy some but then thought better of it because I had all the materials at home. All I had to do was make an easy to follow template, right? Right! Can you tell I was trying to convince myself?
Let’s start with the template. You can download it here.
We have an owl, a wombat and a turtle template. Do one or do all three. Or you could just print it out for the littlies to draw on (so versatile!)
Firstly, I wanted the bean bag to be safe for my children so decided to make a bag to go around the beans and then put that bag inside the finished animal. You can either just do a circle, measuring the size of the template, or you could do it the hard way, like me (amateur!), who decided I wanted the safe bean bag to be the same shape.
I cut out two pieces of fabric the same shape and sewed the edges together until I left a 5cm gap. With a spoon, I filled the bag with some small fish gravel stones that I had left over from our fish tank. You could also use acrylic beads or dried beans/lentils too. I hand-sewed the gap closed.
Then I cut out the templates. I doubled over the material so the two nice sides were facing each other and pinned on the template. I then cut out the material.
At this point you may like to iron the fabric on low heat. You don’t really want creases in your cute little bean bag (I learnt the hard way).
Next, I sewed around the template with the paper on. If you have a steady sewing hand or want to use the template again, I’d suggest taking the template off before sewing. I used it because, well as I’ve said, I don’t sew much and it was nice to have a line to sew on. I’ve since added where you sew on the template. Again leave a good 5cm gap somewhere on the template (I’ve marked where I left mine).
Take off the paper and turn the material inside out, a pencil will help with this. Squeeze the safety bean bag/s inside the animal and then you can either hand sew the last part of the material shut or sew it with the machine depending on the room you have to do it (don’t sew if the rocks/beans are anywhere near the sewing needle).
Viola, cute little animal beanies.
I’m sure there’s a sewing tool for this but I used the gas stove to heat a needle and bent it into a hook. Then, it was easy to sew buttons and thread onto the bean bags!
Now you can decorate them (my favourite part!). The buttons and thread helped to hide some of my slight sewing imperfections too.
My girls each have a bean bag and we can play all sorts of bean bag games. I’m sure I’ll be posting some of those games on here soon too!
What bean bag animal would you like to see? Do you sew?
Other great bean bag games and links
Turkey Beanbag and Turkey Toss
these are so cute, my boys would love them. jaime@FSPDT
jaime recently posted..Pumpkin Bread a Fall Tradition
Thanks so much Jamie. I love making them. I think I may have the sewing bug. Oh O!
So cute! It looks like your girls agree as well
I just had a thought that these would make great heating pads (minus the buttons) if filled with rice, which is what I give my kids if they have a sore tummy.
kirri recently posted..Five signs you are in need of a site makeover
What a good idea Kirri! I didn’t eventhink of heating pads but they totally would! Nice tip! Thank you!
Wow, Penny, these are incredibly adorable! You are so clever!! Can I put in an order for some please?? Haha!
Janice@ learning4kids recently posted..Learning Colours – PINK!
Thanks Janice. I had you in mind when I made the little owl!
These are really cute!
Watch using real beans. We had some with real beans that someone gave us and the bugs got to them. What a mess!
Great tip Dotted! I ould hate to have my little beanbags easten by bugs. So glad I used fish gravel now.
These are wonderful and so simple to make. I’m not good at sewing but I’m sure I could handle these. I also think these could make great (and affordable) gifts for children! Thanks for posting.
I really don’t sew Kate. My mum usually helps me if I have a craft I want to sew (which might be once a year!) but this time I wanted to do one myself. So I did. This was super easy!
So cute, and I think I could even try and make them! I’m definitely not known for my sewing skills LOL Having shared it and pinned it x
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky recently posted..Jelly Fluff
I bet you could Kylie! I’m not known for my sewing skills either. In fact, this is my first ever sewing challenge that I didn’t need my mum to help with. So embarrassing!
Am making the turtle as soon as my sewing machine arrives! Adorable and the buttons are the perfect addition!!
stephanie recently posted..Teacher Mama: Teaching and Practicing Contractions
Ooo, goodluck Steph. I’m sure you’ll do it easily. Do you sew much?
Ohhh, loving these, they are great!! Pinning
Kelly recently posted..Gingerbread
Thank you so much Kelly!
These are adorable – I especially like all the buttons and thread that you added.
Mud Hut Mama recently posted..More Leopards are Arriving Soon: Some Leopard Facts and Crafts
Thank you! I love them too. I really like the little thread that’s coming out near the owl’s button eyes. That started off as loose thread from when I was sewing the buttons on but quickly saw the potential for making it look like little loose feathers. I love when something inspiring comes from no where!
These are so cute Penny…my plain old square beanbags look so boring now….i shall have to give these a try! Thanks so much for the template. I’m sure i had a little turtle one when i was small and loved it!!
jode@mummymusingsandmayhem recently posted..Landscaping with Kids!
No, they serve a purpose jode. I just went a little overboard. I’m a bit like that!
These are adorable! My boys would love a crocodile. Alas, I can barely sew a button. But you know, this looks like it’d be fun for me to make…hmmm….
Grace recently posted..Choosing value
Go on Gracie (not that you have time in the craz life of yours). If I can do it, anyone can do it!
Well done on your crafting achievement! They look fantastic. My favorite is the owl
shared with Triple T Mum FB readers and pinning.
Amie recently posted..The Twin Situation: Comparison
Thanks so much Amie. I’m a little fond over the owl too. I do love owls!
Very cute!
My sewing machine is covered in dust too! I’m hoping once my youngest starts school next year, that I might find more time to use it. Or should I say learn to use it!
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 23. What’ SUP?
Oh my how divine, simply love this activity.
Thanks Nathalie! Do you sew? I don’t really but after this challenge I’m starting to re think the no-sew idea!
These are just gorgeous! Alas, I’m so short of skills I use hemming tape as a permanent solution. Might have a little word to my MIL though – she has sewing machine savvy and these do look lovely and straightforward to make.
Kim@FallingFaceFirst recently posted..A woman of no virtue
You’ll easily do them Kim. I’m not being modest, I really don’t sew. The last thing I sewed myself (whihc technically wasn’t by myself because the teacher helped me) was in home ec at high school! These are simple!
Goblin was looking at this post over my shoulder and said ” i want the turtle please” – thats his Christmas sorted!
The Monko recently posted..Small World Snow Play
They would make a nice stocking filler wouldn’t they. I wish I’d thought of keeping them for that. I’m sewing something else for them now though. I think I’ve got the sewing bug!
These are great toys! I was pondering to make some bean bags for my classes and was thinking of making them in shapes (traingle, start etc for language activity for shape recognition and tossing game). How I didn’t think of making animal bean bags?! Love this idea!
Varya @ littleartists recently posted..Home made paint fun!
Penny these are so adorable! I’m featuring them on my blog today as part of my Kids Co-op post.
Ness @ One Perfect Day recently posted..Homemade Christmas Ideas at The Weekly Kids Co-op