Silvery Snow: Snow Ball Bean Bags

A little fun to stay active when the snow starts to fall, this re-imagines a use for vinyl plastic bags.

• This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow!  Check out this amazing site for all sorts of creative wintery fun:

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2015/01/snowball-bean-bag-diy.html

Materials

• Felt
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine/thread or thread/needle
• Poly fill pellets
• Optional items: seed beads, sequins, glitter, little styrofoam balls, fake snow etc.
• Funnel
• Small measuring cup or spoon
• Plastic zippered bag (to contain your pellets)
• Plastic vinyl bag (you often get sheets sets etc. in these)

Directions

• Cut out two circular shapes out of felt.  To make them exactly the same we layered two pieces on top of each other and cut them both at once, however you could make a paper template, pin it to the felt and cut them out one at at time depending on the child’s skill level and the type of scissors you have available.

• Fold over one of the circles and cut the centre out to make a “window”.  Be sure to leave a perimeter of approximately 2.5 centimetres/1 inch so that you can sew your snowball shut.

• Take your vinyl bag and cut off the zippers etc., focusing on making flat, useable surfaces. Once you have done this, cut your vinyl to be bigger than your window, but slightly smaller than the felt snowball.

• Sew your vinyl to the inside of your felt window with a thicker stitch.

• Sew the two layers of your felt together, along the perimeter.  Use the foot of your sewing machine as a guide.

 *However, be sure to leave a space un-sewn that is a little bigger than your funnel spout so you can fill your bean bag.*

• We found putting your poly fill pellets into a zippered bag keeps them contained (you may want to have a little vacuum or broom & dustpan handy!).  Put the funnel into your bean bag.  Put a small scoop of poly fill pellets into your bean bag. For some colour and sparkle add seed beads, sequins, glitter, fake snow etc.

• Move your pellets over to the opposite side of the hole (so as not to jam your machine) and sew it shut. Or sew it by hand.

• Make a few bean bags to have fun with- they are great to learn to juggle, fun for tossing with friends or to try to get into a target like a bucket etc.

Purpose

• Making equipment for playing with, physical development.

Safety Notes

• Exercise care with scissors and use with direct adult supervision.
• A sewing machine or needle and thread should be used by an adult or with direct adult assistance.
• Beads, fill pellets etc. can be a choking hazard and should be kept out of reach from children 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.