How to Make a Bean Bag Toss Game

Cut Your Squares

Cut out your squares in a variety of fun fabrics. Between 4 inches and 6 inches square is an ideal size for kids. The photos show 6" squares. You can do different fabrics on each side if you like and mix them up.

Sew Right Sides Together

Sew the right sides together and sew along the edges, leaving at least 2 inches open on just one side. I always double stitch bean bags, for fear of thousands of little beans skittering across the floor, but you could get away with just once if you are braver.

Turn Right Side Out

Turn your bean bag right side out, pulling through the hole you left open. Use the eraser end of a pencil or a chopstick to push out the corners if necessary.

Fill With Beans

Fill with beans until you get to your desired weight. For 6 inch bean bags, expect to use 8 to 16 ounces per bag, depending on how full you want them. I like to use around 12oz of beans each. Beans are cheap, I spent less than $3 to fill six bean bags. Tip: use a funnel or make one out of a piece of paper to fill these fast.

Sew Up Hole

Sew up the hole. You can handstitch this so it cannot be seen, but I prefer to just stitch it on the outside with the sewing machiine and go over it several times to make sure it is sturdy. It isn't perfect this way but the kids won't notice and it is faster.

Bean Bags Are Done!

Above is the size difference between a six inch bean bag and a four inch bean bag.

Done! I like to do at least three when gifting these. Six is a nice sized set for two players.

Cut Flaps Off

Cut off the top flaps on three sides of your box. Leave one flap on for the ears.

Cut Ears & Mouth

Next, create ears in a shape you like. Draw on with pencil first. Kitty ears or rounded bear ears are two options.

Draw on a circle mouth and cut out. Make sure the hole is large enough to throw your bean bags through! When in doubt, cut a hole then test it. I like the diameter of the hole to be quite a bit larger than my bean bag measurement, otherwise it can be too difficult for toddlers.

Paint & Decorate

Paint all the surfaces, inside and out. I use interior latex paint because I always happen tp have some on hand in the garage and it is cheap and has great coverage.

After it dries, add eyes and any other details you like. I hot glued some red bias tape to the mouth, but you could paint a mouth, use felt for eyes, googley eyes, etc. Have fun!

You can play your homemade bean bag toss game with the mouth towards the thrower or lay the box on its back. For an easier version for kids, just have them throw into the top of the box, or assign different point values.

Have fun!