A beanbag is one of the simplest toys you can make, and one of the most versatile. It is soft, so it does not bounce away or break windows, and it is easy for small hands to hold. With a few buckets, some rings and a line on the ground, you have a games area in minutes. Children of different ages can play together and each find a level that suits them.
Making the beanbags
Fill a clean old sock or a small fabric bag with dried rice or lentils, and stitch or tie it shut. Make several, in different colours, so that each player has their own. Children love to decorate them with pens or fabric scraps. Keep them dry, because damp beanbags get heavy and smell. A dozen is plenty for a good game.
For targets, use buckets, laundry baskets, cardboard boxes or a circle of rope on the ground. Rings can be made from garden hose or thick rope tied into a loop. Mark a throwing line with chalk or a skipping rope, and put the targets at different distances. Younger children stand closer, older ones step back, and every throw has a chance of success.
Play a simple game first: take turns to throw, and cheer when a beanbag lands in the target. Then add variations. Give each target a different colour, and call out the colour before each throw. Throw underarm, throw with the other hand or throw backwards over your shoulder.
Team games and tidying up
Two teams try to fill a bucket with their beanbags, or players take turns to knock down a tower of plastic cups. Keep the play area clear of flowerbeds, windows and pets, and remind everyone to wait until it is their turn. A grown-up can keep score, or better still, let the children do it.
When the game ends, gather the beanbags in a basket and keep them by the door. They are ready for next time, and they also work indoors on rainy days. Many families find that a bag of beanbags becomes a favourite, because it can be used for so many different games, and because it is easy to pack for a picnic or a holiday.
