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The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Beanbags and Breadbags…..

by 16 Comments

Finally got around to some quick sewing projects during naptime yesterday…i have been wanting to get these done for a month or so now!! Isn’t it funny how something you know won’t actually take long gets pushed aside for other ‘more important’ chores?

I have always been a big fan of beanbags for kids…..there are just so many open ended play opportunities with them for all ages. The can be thrown into boxes or hoops, through smaller openings if older, used as pillows or beds for toys, carted around as a special item because it feels nice, counted, stacked, knocked over…the options are endless with a good imagination!

They are so easy to make, no need to buy or for perfection. A really easy sewing project that makes such a thrifty toy for years to come. You can make different sizes and shapes to suit little or larger hands and purposes and fill with whatever you have on hand such as rice, beans, lentils etc!

A great ‘naptime’ project (i really love being able to complete something during naptime because otherwise it has to be put aside to finish another day which often never arrives!) I used scrap fabric from winter pants i made the toddler twosome last season…..

I cut out some squares or rectangles of fabric…you don’t need to be a perfectionist here, if you do want to make sure everything is square you will obviously need to measure beforehand…but in my opinion children never notice when playing with them!

Sew around your fabric but leave an opening for turning and filling

Once you have sewn the edges…(i like to put the pins in either end while sewing to remind me to leave the hole….unfortunately i have a bad habit of sewing closed my openings and then unpicking!)

Turn the material so right side is now out and poke out corners with a finger or scissors

I filled mine with rice from our sensory box and added a few large pasta shells as they make a good noise when being squished…use whatever you have on hand!
Then you just need to fold the opening under and sew straight across …..if you want a neater finish you can of course hand stitch the openings but i think machine sewing gives a stronger finish and again…children don’t worry about those details!
Now we have a stack of lovely beanbags to have fun with…..another great inside activity! You can really use any material except for very lightweight….i have used corduroy and flannelet here.

While i had the scrap material out i also made a drawstring bag to keep bread and bread rolls in for the breadbox. I currently use a ziplock bag which has to be thrown after a week really so wanted something i could reuse. I don’t think it will keep the bread as fresh but as we go through a loaf a day that isn’t really a concern. Just need to make sure the bread is cool before putting into the bag or it will go soggy.

All i did was again cut 2 rectangles of fabric (i wanted mine quite large so i could keep rolls in there too) sew the edges, and then turn over the top making a casing for the drawstring…so easy…why has it taken me so long to get to??

Thread through the drawstring…..

 pull tight and tie a knot in the drawstring and viola….
 One bread bag ready to go! I think it looks so much nicer than the plastic bag i was using!

Have you completed any little projects during naptime recently? I’d love to hear about them!
Thanks for stopping by…have a great weekend all!

Jode x

Comments

  1. Oooh, I love your bread bag! I’ve been thinking the same thing for a long time, too, as I’d rather not keep food in plastic if there’s an alternative. Maybe I’ll make this my first ever sewing project! If I could get baby to nap for more than 15 minutes at a time, that is. Hrmn…;)
    -Jaime

    Reply

    • Hi Jaime…it’s so easy and working really well..you can do it! (although i hear you on the 15 minute nap times…taken me awhile to get to the 2 hr naps trust me!!!)

      Reply

  2. The bread bag is a fab idea Jode and something I think I could rustle up in no time if I had the mojo to sew 🙂 I also really like the beanbags, what a great idea for creative play.
    Xx

    Reply

  3. You have been very busy Jode. What a great feeling getting those little done you having been putting off. I love your beanbags for the girls, they are so much fun and you’re tutorial is really easy to follow too:) I haven’t made any projects recently but I’ve got a bag to make before next Monday for a soon to be 8 year old girl. Have a great weekend Jode. xx

    Reply

    • Hi Catherine…it does feel good to have them done! Good luck with your bag project…you’ll have to share it when finished!Have a good weekend!

      Reply

  4. I love your beanbags, the materials you have chosen are lovely. I can see the endless fun that could be had with those. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  5. Great ideas! I have several extra receiving blankets that I can use for material now that my little guy is outgrowing them…. the flannel would make a lovely print for some bean bags. What a surprise for my toddler girls–“mama-made” toys!

    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Using the blankets as the material is a great idea Julie….i may have to make more now!!bet they will love their mamma made toys!

      Reply

  10. Well done! You have given me the inspiration to make my own bread bag… I’ve been procrastinating for long enough! I bet my kids would love bean bags, too… they look like they would provide HOURS of open ended play – perfect for our chilly winters.

    Reply

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What people are saying …

A big shout out to you Jodie!

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges!
Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

5.0
2018-10-24T11:28:25+10:00

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges! Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Thank you!

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.

Chris Binder

5.0
2018-10-24T11:33:54+10:00

Chris Binder

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.
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Thanks Jodie for doing what you do.

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

Peta Wendt

5.0
2018-10-24T11:51:24+10:00

Peta Wendt

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Jodie.

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!

Cora Mills

5.0
2018-10-24T11:54:57+10:00

Cora Mills

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!
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What a great resource.

I got the Organisation Toolkit today, I'm starting my own family day care and no way in hell am I going to be unorganised! Thanks sooooo much for such a great resource.

Katrina Krogh

5.0
2018-10-25T12:24:25+10:00

Katrina Krogh

I got the Organisation Toolkit today, I'm starting my own family day care and no way in hell am I going to be unorganised! Thanks sooooo much for such a great resource.

Well Done!

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Xiomara Moran

5.0
2018-10-25T12:27:14+10:00

Xiomara Moran

It's blessing to find such a great range of resources and information that will simplify my job. It's the first time in 21 year I've found this kind of resources that I can reach just pressing a button!
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