This is the kickoff project for Back to School Ideas for The Classroom. These colorful bean bags for the classroom are made with amazing products from Fairfield World including Oly-Fun and Poly-Pellets. They were a pretty quick project to complete. I think they would be a fantastic gift to make for a primary teacher in your life. There are LOTS of great ways to use bean bags and I am happy to share some of them with you. This post is sponsored but the ideas and opinions are my own.
We started by creating colorful die-cuts using my calendar dies that I designed for Ellison Education.
We grabbed our bucket of Oly-Fun. We keep the colors rolled up so they stay nice for upcoming projects.
Then we cut out coordinating colors of Oly-Fun for the bases of the bean bags. We cut two six inch squared (front/back) in each color.
The first sewing step is to sew your die-cuts to the coordinating color front piece of Oly-Fun.
Then sew the front and back together with the die-cut on the inside, leaving a two inch opening.
Flip the fabrics inside out (or outside in really) and fill with Poly-Pellets, being careful not to over stuff. This new packaging makes it so easy peasy. I actually POURED them right into the bean bags.
Then sew the opening closed either by hand or on the machine.
Aren’t they awesome?
Okay, let’s talk about some great ways to use them now. Here are ten that I love.
- Place a bean bag in front of a working student who is demonstrating good work habits (quiet, on task, etc.) Move it around as fitting.
- Tape a number to the bottom of the bag. Everyone says a number. The one closest to the number gets to do a special job (line leader, wash brushes, etc.)
- Pass the bean bag around while in a circle. Each student shares one thing when they have the bean bag that relates to your current lessons. Once they have gone, they stand up.
- Place photos of the students on the floor. Children take turns tossing the bag on a picture. Then they have to say three nice things about the student in the photo.
- Use the beanbag like musical chairs in a circle.
- Send the beanbag home each night with a different student and a journal. Have them write about a special place in their room where they kept the beanbag over night.
- Make a number board and have the students toss three bean bags onto the board and add up the numbers they land on.
- Use the beanbag to hold down papers that are handed in for homework.
- Make a list of all the things that could be used to fill a beanbag.
- See who can walk across the room with the bag on their head the farthest and chart results then compare and contrast.
Which one is your favorite. Mine is definitely the flower.
No wait, I really love the sun too.
Be sure to check back tomorrow! We will be playing with clay and creating some great classroom resources.
Cheers,
Laura
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