I found this great idea on Pinterest and decided that I could totally DIY the heck out of some bean bags.  So, I dug into the deep dark cavern that is the back of my cupboard and pulled out some old pairs of jeans that have probably not been worn since 2012BK (before kids).  I decided to change up the original idea that I saw on the Pinterest link and used what I already had around the house to make a few bean bags for Paige (and James when he is bigger of course – if they survive…I mean the bean bags, not the kids).

It was really easy and literally took me about an hour or so to make all 6.  So, if you are feeling a little creative for an end result that provides a lot of fun then follow these eezy-peezy steps to make ones like I did:

SUPPLIES:

• old denim items with pockets (pants/shorts/skirts etc) – the number of bean bags you can make will depend on how many denim items you have lying around that you don’t mind chopping to pieces. I cut up 2 pairs of denims and was able to get 6 pockets because one of the pairs had denim lining the front pockets too, instead of the usual flimsy fabric inner.
• rice/small seeds/beans
• small plastic sandwich bags
• something to decorate the front – I used coloured felt and just cut out circles
• fabric glue
• needle and thread
• scissors

HOW TO:

• cut out the pockets – keeping the outer and inner layers attached
• push a small sandwich bag into the pocket and then fill it about half to three quarters with your filling of choice – I used rice because that is what I had in the kitchen cupboard.
• pull the sandwich bag out and seal the top – fold over and sellotape or zip lock closed (squeeze air out first though)
• put the filled sandwich bag back into the pocket and use your needle and thread to hand stitch the top of the pocket closed – I doubled the thread for added strength and kept the stitches tight and close together – knot the end and cut off excess.
• Decor – I used coloured felt because i have every colour imaginable from another craft that I had done previously.  This is what I did:
  • cut circles out of each piece of coloured felt – I used a lid as a stencil so they were all the same
  • use contact glue (or strong fabric glue would work but I didn’t have any) to stick the felt onto the bean bags

Presto – you are done.

Note: I kept the extra denim pieces for future craft missions.

And now, for some activity ideas that we have tried and Paige has really enjoyed them:

• balancing bean bags on her head while walking – this has been a fail so far because she always tries to look up at the bean bag.
• throwing the bean bags into a basket placed a metre or so away from her – she likes this one and is actually quite good at it.
• using them in colour sorting games (I have another activity that I have made that links with this one – to be posted soon) 

I am definitely going to make more bean bags at some stage – more colours, shapes etc – but i just need to convince my friends and family that denim is so last season and they should give theirs to me to chop up.

If you decide to make some then please share pics or just tell me about what you did in the comments section.  I would love to know how you made them your own and what activities you and your kids use them for.