Confession: My kid throws toys.
I know that it’s developmentally appropriate for a young child to throw things, but I still don’t like it when J throws his toys. I have decided that the best way to handle this is to redirect the behavior into something more appropriate.
There are some things that I don’t mind if he throws…like balls, or beanbags. So, I made a very simple bean bag toss game to keep inside. Now when J throws something, I can say “J, that toy is not for throwing, but you can throw a beanbag instead.”
This activity is also great for gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. J’s aim is not all that great right now, but a game like this can help improve that skill.
Here’s what you’ll need
- cardboard box
- knife
- paint and paper to decorate.
This was super simple:
Take a regular old cardboard box and make two diagonal cuts on opposite sides of the box.
Open it up and it looks like this.
Cut off the flaps and flip it over.
Cut a hole for the beanbags.
Then decorate!
Oh….and you’ll need beanbags. I knit these up to go along with our new game. I love them so much!
If you are a knitter (or know someone who is) and would like to know how I made them…shoot me an email. They were super easy!
Jode
I bet he has lots of fun with this! My twin girls love beanbags although i only sewed mine….knitting is a whole new level!!!
Amanda
That’s funny because sewing is so much more stressful to me than knitting. I probably knit these up faster than it would have taken me to sew them! I guess we all have our crafts! I love the look of sewn ones…there are so many possiblites!
Growing a Jeweled Rose
Aw, this is adorable! I love the bean bags! I wish I could knit 🙂
Amanda
Thanks! Knitting keeps me sane!
Caroline - De tout et de rien
I wish I could knit too and /or have the talent to do so. I tried and Oh! my….still laughing at my last attempt. The box with the mouth is SO cute!!!!
Amanda
Thanks Caroline! I’m pretty much a crazy knitting lady, but don’t ask me to sew anything! BTW…I LOVE your blog, especially the sensory bottles!
Melanie @ bear rabbit bear
This looks like so much fun!! Thanks for sharing! http://www.bearrabbitbear.com
andthatsfamily
What a good idea! Much cuter than any store bought version I have ever seen!
WildPreschoolTwins
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WildPreschoolTwins
Super cute!! Thanks for linking up with kids co-op!
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com)
This turned out SO cute! What a clever idea! I am featuring this at TGIF this week http://www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/2012/03/tgif-linky-party-20.html – Come stop on by and grab and I was featured button & link up what you’ve been up to this week!
Beth =)
Brett Lamb
My own blog post all about Toys, :).
http://coffeefueledphilosophy.blogspot.com/2012/04/toys.html
Anonymous
I got to make this for my grandsons,but i love to crochet,so i will crochet my beanbags,and for anyone wanting to learn how to knit or crochet they free online lesson.Look them up on you tube.
jackie @ happy hooligans
This is just adorable, and I LOVE those KNITTED beanbags!
Jennifer Gray
I would love the pattern for knitting up those bean bags!
Thank you!
MFS
Did you line the knit bean bags? I’m working on a Montessori knitting club project and I’m curious how to keep the beans in a garter stitch square, which each child made. I’d love some direction.
Amanda
Hey there. I did not line the bags. I used a pretty tight gauge and big beans, so they wouldn’t fall out between the stitches. We’ve had these for a few years now, and haven’t lost a bean yet!