Stock up on these easy homemade bean bags for kids activities. The bean bags only take minutes to make and kids will love using them for games of toss.
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Denim fabric is ideal for DIY projects. It’s sturdy, easy to work with, and readily available! You can find the material for making bean bags right in your own closet, with the pant legs of worn or discarded denim jeans.
I used a sewing machine to make the bean bags in this tutorial. You can also sew them by hand, using small stitches to prevent fill escaping the bag.
Kids can help fill the bean bags, and set up the games when the bean bags are ready.
Homemade denim bean bags
Materials list for bean bags
- denim
- filler – buttons, rice, beans, pasta
- sewing machine, or needle and thread
Traditionally the bags are filled with beans but you can also use buttons, rice or pasta. If you use a pasta like fusilli, kids can squish the bag to feel and hear the pasta breaking, for some added sensory fun!
Instructions for bean bags
1. Cut out two pieces of fabric, approximately 4 x 4.5 inches (10 x 11.5 cm), allowing for a 5/8 inch (2 cm) seam on all sides.
2. With right sides together, stitch around three sides. Trim with pinking shears. Fold down the top edge 1 inch (2.5 cm) as shown.
If sewing by hand, stitch seams with a running stitch or blanket stitch (or both if preferred).
Alternately, cut one large rectangle of fabric and fold it over in the middle.
- Stitch along the bottom and side.
- Fold down the top edge.
3. Turn the bag right side out. Add beans or other filler.
4. Stitch the opening to seal the filler inside the bean bag.
Play fun bean bag games with your denim bean bags. For more variety in bean bags, try these colorful nylon bean bags or these animal themed bean bags.
