Make a Weighted Bean Bag In Simple Steps
The weighted bean bag is not a typical bean bag used to sit in. It is a small sac that is filled with heavy beans.
This cute pack offers multi-sensory integration by its weight and texture!
A weighted bean bag is a popular tool among kids. Especially ideal for three years to up children. Why is this fun toy important?
Weighted is mainly used for focuses activities and toss to practice hand-eye coordination. Moreover, it promotes creative movements and strengthening and motor planning. It greatly supports kids with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or autism.
Rather than these benefits, kids love to balance it because of its cute size and attractive colors. If you are a parent, your kids will ask for one of these simple toys one day. But as the superhero of your kid, what is your answer?
Do not worry; I will explain every step of making a weighted bean bag. Sit comfortably and read this guideline. Yes, you can create this simple tool within 10 minutes!
Table of Contents
Make a Weighted Bean Bag
To create a weighted bean bag, first, collect the following materials.
- Suitable fabrics
- Heavy filler
- Sewing machine
- Scissor
Let me help to clarify your requirement.
- What is the purpose of making a weighted bean bag?
- How long do you wish to keep it with you?
- Required weight?
- What type of design do you love?
- Any other particular wants and needs?
Now you may have good knowledge about your requirement. So, let’s start the process accordingly.
Step 1: Select a suitable filler type to fill your weighted bean bag.
Now you may doubt how to select a heavy filler. Or else you may need to know the best filler types to fill weighted bean bags? Do not overthink! Continue reading!
Generally, when we fill a typical bean bag, we use light-weighted fillers because they require a considerable amount of stuffing. So, if you fill them with heavy-weight beanballs, they are not easy to maintain.
But here, you cannot use these light-weighted fillers such as expanded polystyrene balls, cotton, and shredded memory foam to make a weighted bean bag. They are unable to give sufficient weight to your bean bag.
Hence, there are some alternative filler beads to fill this bean bag. Those are;
- Polyplastic pellets
- Rice
- Stone pebbles
- Beans
You can find rice and beans easily from your home. Also, they are eco-friendly and child-safe. However, there is a small question regarding its durability.
They are very susceptible to environmental factors, especially wet conditions. Also, these natural seeds can be affected by rodents and pests.
Therefore if you want to keep the bean bag for an extended period, use small stone pebbles or poly plastic pellets. You can find stone pebbles from your surroundings, and it is also eco-friendly.
The virgin poly plastic pellets are also suitable for weighted bean bags. They are BPA-free, odorless compounds made with recycled plastic.
These granules are non-porous and do not break down like organic fillers. Also, it can wash and dry in a machine. Therefore, people reuse and sanitize these plastic pellets.
Step 2: Select the suitable fabric.
When selecting the fabrics for bean bag toss, you should consider the intended use of your weighted bean bag.
Quilting cotton will work well if you wish to use it for gentle play. But if you need to use this bean bag for relatively rough games like corn hole, choose heavier weight fabric like twill.
In addition to them, you can use velvet, polyester, or silk fabric to create this. This is a kids’ toy. Thus, consider its color, softness, and strength when selecting the material.
Choosing the most suitable fabric is your choice. So take your decision!
Step 3: Draw 5 x 3 inches two rectangular on the fabric.
You can customize bean bag diameter size by changing length and width parameters. The diameters of the weighted bean bag should be aligned with the purpose and usage.
Anyhow, besides rectangular shapes, you can try square, round, or any other forms. It’s totally up to your preference and purpose.
Step 4: Cut the relevant shapes.
When cutting the fabric, allow some space from the edges to sew it.
Step 5: Double sew the three corners of the bean bag using a sewing machine.
Here, it would help if you placed ordinal sides together. Then sew the corners from the backside of the fabric. Double seaming is essential.
It will increase the bean bag’s safety and prevent bean spills. Also, if you are going to make a weighted bean bag according to the safety standards, double seaming is a must.
In the end, you may have a small sac that has one opening at the end.
Step 6: Inside out the bean bag and fill the beans.
Now you can fill a sufficient amount of bean fillers. While you are filling bean beads, you can check whether that weight is enough or not for your purpose.
However, do not fill until it is fully compact. Try to fill 2/3 of bean bag volume. It will give flexibility and loosen texture to the bean bag.
Step 7: Sew and enclose the opening.
You can double sew the opening and finish bean bag preparation as a final step.
Now your weighted bean bag is ready for play!
Make an Outer Cover for Weighted Bean Bag
You can add extra beauty and protection to the weighted bean bag you made. The only thing you should do is create an outer cover or shell for your bean bag.
What benefit did you receive from adding an outer shell to your weighted bean bag?
It will protect your bean bag from dust and other foreign materials. Thus, you do not need to wash and clean the whole bean bag when it gets dirty. Just remove the cover and wash it separately.
This is an ideal accessory for a weighted bean bag filled with rice and beans.
Moreover, the outer cover will add extra protection to your bean bag. When an accident occurs while your kids are playing with this weighted bean bag, the beans may not spill out of the external environment. Hence, it is suitable for kids’ safety.
In addition to this importance, the outer cover can add extra beauty to your weighted bean bag.
Now you may think about making the outer cover for this weighted bean bag. It is simple. You can follow the same steps that I mentioned above.
The dimensions should be one inch larger than previous measurements (6 x 4 inches). Also, do not enclose the opening that I mentioned in step 7. Besides direct sewing, you should add the zipper to that corner.
Then any time, you can remove this cover from the bean bag. But always keep in mind to remove the slipper flap after finishing your works. It is a reasonable safety precaution, especially work with toddlers.
Final Thoughts
Weighted bean bags are generally used as a playing tool and therapeutic tool. So, it becomes famous worldwide. However, every people cannot access the online markets to order them.
Also, spending dollars on this simple tool is worthless. Other than that, if you can create this tool within 10-15 minutes, why do you waste your money?
Try the above method and prepare an ideal weighted bean bag for your children!
