Lovely handmade crafts

Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

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.

Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of handmade bean bag ideas (11–20)

Cute cat beanbags

Easy Cute Travel Cat: How to Make & Pattern — A Cat Plush Tutorial & Pattern

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!

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A kitty beanbag you can make from fabric scraps

⁂ Easy Handicraft ⁂ Cat Beanbag — with illustrations and pattern-making instructions | How to make a Cat Otédama [Fabric Play]

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!

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Recommended for Setsubun decorations! Oni beanbag (ogre beanbag)

Chirimen Craft [Red Oni]: How to Make a Beanbag Ornament

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.

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How to make cylindrical beanbags

Easy Cylindrical Beanbag: How to Make It in 90 Seconds! Let’s Play with Kids at Home or in Preschool ♪ / Egg Communication

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!

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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?