Bug Bean Bag *updated with picture*

[hokiekate]

I've been working on a BIG quilt for a long time (intermittently) and it involves curved piecing. This is a big pain in my butt since I hate templates. It also results in a lot of weirdly shaped scraps. Well, I had all these half circle scraps and I thought I could make them into something fun and this little guy just appeared. The idea for this bug bean bag was totally inspired by these bunnies. I've only made the one and plan on making more, as I have lots of scraps. I think I can improve on him. He doesn't look all that buglike to me. And his legs look weird. But my son loves him. He keeps saying, "Mommy made a little buggy guy for Simon." Now, I just have to come up with some kind of game to play with the bugs. You know, other than just throw-them-around-the-room.

[Muddlepud]

Aw! I think he's adorable. Love the colors.

You could always make some sort of basket or "bug catching net" and then play bean bag toss with them, eh?

[TwiztidBlood]

awww, hes adorable

[christephi]

That is SO cute!

Maybe make the legs a little longer and tie a pony bead on the end (or even sew little round feet?) to give the legs a bit of weight. Or maybe sew the ribbon in looped with a bead strung on instead of tying it on (to prevent clever little fingers from freeing the beads and creating a choking hazard). I love it! He's so cute!

I've gotta get a set for my nephew!

[TheMistressT]

Great use of scraps!  It's so cute and your son's reaction is just plain adorable!  Maybe put the seam the other direction so it looks a bit like a head and body?  Honestly it's plenty buggy as is.  As for games, maybe make a mat with a grid or something on it or board with holes in it to toss the bean bags into?

[robynsteiner]

Sooo cute! You could make a fabric tic-tac-toe blankie. We have one of those at the office with giant red and black pieces, but I think the bugs would be much cuter!

[hokiekate]

Here is my completed buggy collection .  I gave them all slightly different faces and added knots to the little legs for feet.  I really liked the suggestion of beads, but I didn't want anyone getting hurt (or offended, more likely) by beads to the head.

I haven't done any research yet on bean bag games we can play with them, but Simon has made up a few of his own. First is "Throw Them in a Bowl". This involves tossing them into a plastic mixing bowl. He walks right up to it, drops the bug in, and then wriggles with glee. The even more popular variant on this game is to place the bowl far, far away and then make Daddy toss the buggy guys in the bowl. Crafty kid. The other favorite game is called "Zoom... weeee!". This involves placing the bean bag on top of the coffee table and sliding it off with as much force as possible. While it is flying through the air, he yells, "Zoom! Weee!"

[kleinsch]

Your bugs are beautiful--such lovely colors and prints! 

Bean bags are great for playing (teaching) so many things with kids: you teach catching and throwing (underhand/overhand) without getting hurt; you can walk around with them balanced on your head, practicing your coordination and good posture; you can sort them by color or pattern; you can count them; you can make up stories and have the bugs act them out; you can draw them...the skies the limit!