Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas
Beanbag play is suitable for infants and toddlers once they can sit up.
Even if they can’t throw yet, simply repeating the motion of letting the beanbag drop is fun.
This time, we’ll share ideas for handmade beanbags that adults can craft to enjoy playing with children, as well as simple handmade beanbags kids can make themselves using origami or balls.
It’s a wonderfully engaging toy—sing while tossing, or balance it on different parts of the body.
By all means, try playing together with handmade beanbags tailored to your child’s age.
- Let's Make and Play! A Collection of Homemade Kendama Ideas
- [For Adults] Fun Hand-Clapping Games: A Curated Selection of Ideas Great for Brain Training Too!
- Made of paper! A fun collection of DIY toy ideas you can play with
- Beanbag song: a playable children's folk song
- Let's make and play with kids! A collection of handmade yo-yo ideas
- [Handmade] A collection of bamboo-copter ideas using various materials
- Popular with toddlers! A collection of homemade toy ideas
- Kids and adults alike will be captivated! A collection of DIY marble run ideas
- Handmade summer festival games: a collection of ideas you can enjoy at kindergartens, daycare centers, and at home.
- DIY ideas for a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum). Let’s make and play with this nostalgic toy!
- [Let’s Make and Play!] Handmade Toy Ideas You Can Create Yourself
- [Recreation] Fun! A collection of DIY ring toss ideas
- Simple DIY Drum Ideas: From Den-Den Drums to Taiko Drums!
Fun for kids and adults! A collection of handmade beanbag ideas (1–10)
Sing and play! Frog beanbags
Beanbags are a great item for keeping time with children’s songs! How about making a frog-shaped beanbag and enjoying some nursery rhymes? You’ll need a rectangular frog-pattern fabric, pellets (filling), beads for the eyes, and a needle and thread.
First, place the fabric right sides together, align the short edges so the pellets won’t spill out, and sew a running stitch.
After sewing and tying off one end of the tube, turn it right side out, sew along the edge on the opposite side, and add the pellets.
Fold the fabric inward and stitch so the pellets won’t come out.
Next, sew on the eyes.
Once both are attached, it’s complete! Try playing along with nursery rhymes.
Beanbags made with transparent origami paper
I’ll show you how to make a balloon origami beanbag! You’ll need one sheet of transparent chiyogami and seven quarter-size sheets of colored origami paper.
First, fold the transparent chiyogami in half into a square twice, open it up, then squash-fold it into a triangle.
Do the same on the other side.
With the open side facing you, fold up the left and right corners toward the top.
After folding those side corners inward, take only the top layer of the upper corner, fold it down, and tuck it into the pocket.
Repeat on the other side.
Blow into the hole to inflate, and it’s done.
Fold the colored origami in the same way, then place them inside the balloon you made from the transparent chiyogami—and you’re finished! It’s very pretty and cute, so be sure to try making it with your kids.
A beanbag rabbit you can play with
Here’s how to make a rabbit beanbag using a sewing machine! You’ll need: a beanbag pattern measuring 4.5 cm × 9 cm, an 11 cm collar for the rabbit, ears measuring 2 cm × 4.5 cm, a rabbit face made from 5.5 cm fabric, and pellets.
First, cut two identical sets according to the beanbag pattern.
Use a 5 mm seam allowance.
Sew the two sets together into a pouch, arranging the patterns so they cross.
Turn it right side out and fill the pouch with pellets through the opening.
Finally, hand-sew the rabbit’s face onto the beanbag, and you’re done.
It’s cute as a decoration too, so be sure to try making it with your kids!
Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of handmade bean bag ideas (11–20)
A kitty beanbag you can make from fabric scraps
The cat’s expression and distinctive whiskers are so cute, aren’t they? Cut the fabric to match the size of the cat you want to make, and sew on the whiskers and eyes.
Once you add the stuffing, be sure to pull the stitches tight and secure.
When tightening the stitches, adjust your strength and pull gently.
You’ll add stuffing to create volume, and it’s also recommended to wrap a small stone in cotton to help with balance.
Try using various types of fabric to make your own adorable cat beanbag just the way you like!
Cute cat beanbags
The chirimen crepe fabric used for cat beanbags is a traditional Japanese material that was once used for kimono and has a warm feel to it.
After cutting the fabric to the beanbag’s size, sew on parts like the eyes and nose.
Be sure to stuff the filling firmly all the way into the cat’s ears.
When doing running stitches, insert the needle vertically so your stitches come out even.
For the cat’s tail, adding yarn as a core will make it firm and stable.
Try making cat beanbags with different types of fabric!
How to make cylindrical beanbags
Barrel-shaped beanbags have a rounded form that makes them very easy for children to hold.
When sewing these beanbags, use a running stitch, and when you cinch the opening, pull the thread gently so you tighten it without tearing the fabric.
Stuff the cotton a bit more generously and evenly; this gives the barrel shape a nice firmness and is recommended.
When closing after stuffing, stitch securely so the filling doesn’t poke out.
Another advantage of the barrel shape is that you can adjust the size to fit your child’s hand.
Try making your own original beanbags with your favorite fabric!
Recommended for Setsubun decorations! Oni beanbag (ogre beanbag)
The soft feel of chirimen fabric and the cute expression of the red oni, along with its horns, make this beanbag toy so charming.
When making the horns, check the balance so they end up symmetrical.
Sew the horns, eyes, and nose onto the head of the beanbag.
For the hair, unravel the cords with an awl to add volume, and use double-sided tape to secure them so they don’t come off.
Sew the collar accent onto the body to finish.
When sewing the parts, try to use thread that matches the fabric color as closely as possible.
It’s also fun to use fabrics like yellow or purple to create different types of oni.
In conclusion
There are many easy and fun ways to play with beanbags. Playing along with children’s songs is recommended because it helps develop a sense of rhythm. I’ve heard beanbags are even used for piano practice. Why not let both children and adults get acquainted with traditional games through beanbag play?