My friend’s son turned 5 yesterday, and I wanted to make him something that a boy or girl could enjoy playing with. I’ve seen variations of counting bean bags for toss games on different blogs and decided to develop my version. This set has nine beanbags plus a matching drawstring tote bag. You can find the matching tote bag here!
To make these, you’ll want to download the pattern here. I didn’t use a number zero, but my husband was concerned that someone might like it, so it’s included in the pattern.
If you’re looking for a bean bag tossing board to play with your new creation, you’ll find lots of great options here on amazon.
Table of Contents
What size are bean bags for bean bag toss?
For the purists among us, players of the classic outdoor backyard game “bean bag toss” typically use bags that measure around 6 inches by 6 inches. While this may be a general rule, different sizes and weights can affect how players play the sport.
Sizes and Weights of Bean Bags
Bean bags typically weigh between 3 to 5 ounces, but some brands offer bags that weigh as little as 1 ounce or as much as 10 ounces. In addition, many companies sell half-size bags weighing around 2.5 ounces or as much as 5 ounces. I recommend the 2.5 ounces for kids.
How to make bean Bags for toss Game
Step 1
First, print out the pattern and cut out all the paper numbers and 9 fabric squares for the beanbag fronts, and 9 for the backs. I did brown for the front and different colors and patterns for the numbers and backs.
Step 2
Next, cut out nine fabric rectangles a little larger than your numbers. Iron those to a strip of fusible web. On the back, trace each number backward, then cut out each number.
Step 3
Peel the backing off the fusible web and iron the numbers to the centers of your beanbag fronts. If you want more details on making the number appliques, you can see my post on appliques here.
Step 4
Then I did a loose zig-zag stitch with my sewing machine around each number. The curves got tricky, so I had to slowly turn the handwheel in some parts and stitch. Next, put the right sides together of your beanbag fronts and backs and stitch them up, leaving a 2″ opening at the bottom. When you are done stitching, turn them right side out.
What do you fill the bean bag toss with?
You could use corn, pellets, sand, and possibly rice. I tried to fill these with a funnel, but my funnel opening was too small, so I filled each bag with black beans. I filled each bag until it was 3/4 full and used a pound and a half total for all nine bags.
Step 5
Next, I sewed the openings up using a slipstitch. A slipstitch is a (mostly) hidden seam. To do this, you’ll first fold the raw edges inside. Then knot your thread, and starting at one end of the opening, you’ll alternate between the inside folds of the fabric, stitching about 1/16″ inch of fabric on each side, then pull tightly.
Beanbags are now finished and ready to be played with!
And, as I mentioned earlier, you can also make a matching drawstring tote to keep them in.
