Fruity Bean Bags

With the smoke from the forest fires where we live, we had a few days inside last week and came up with this little game.

Materials

• Various colours of felt
• Sewing supplies (or you could go with a sewing machine like we did)
• Scissors (these kitchen ones are great for cutting multiple layers)
• Funnel
• Measuring cup or scoop
• Poly-fil pellets or something similar
• Beads (optional)
• Pencil/ paper
• Clear plastic bag (optional)

Directions

• Sketch out your ideas.

• Cut out a simplified version of your fruits from felt.  You could do this freehand or draw large sketches and pin or tape them to your felt.  You will need two of each.  An easy way to assure that they are exactly alike is to fold the felt in half and cut both copies at a time.

• Add any beads, buttons etc. to embellish your work, sewing them on.

• Sew the two layers together on the outside edges, leaving a small border and a hole to insert your funnel.  (As seen below.)

• Insert your funnel and pour in your pellets.

• Move your pellets to the opposite side of the hole and then sew the hole shut.

• Enjoy playing with your bean bags.  We took a little basket and tried to get our fruit in it from various distances. What games can you think of?

Purpose

• Developing one’s fine and gross motor skills

Safety Notes

• Use scissors and sewing materials with care and adult supervision.
• Beads, pellets etc. can be a choking hazard therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.