Activities

Christmas scented bean bags

Timescale:

Whole session 20 mins - 1 hour. Session could be developed over several weeks.

Materials

Different fabrics such as velvet, fun fur. Sewing machine or needle and thread or staple gun. Lentils or pasta, cloves, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peels, fir cones, fir tree branches, plastic bags, cellophane, wrapping paper, bells, sequins.

Step 1:

Choosing material, depending on participants' knowledge of Christmas, material can be offered around Christmas themes such as Santa's coat or belt, Mary's dress etc.

Cut into a square or rectangle depending on what shape or size of bean bag you are making. Remember that the material will be smaller once it is sewn up.

Step 2:

Make material into a pouch: fold material over, with the outside facing inwards. Using a sewing machine, if available, sew up two sides of the material, leaving one side free for filling the bag. Depending on participants' abilities the sewing machine foot pedal can be used hand held. The pedal provides strong vibrations when pressed.

If a sewing machine is not available a large needle and thread can be used if appropriate or an ordinary staple gun can also be used ensuring staples and stitches are close enough together to avoid materials falling out when filled.

Step 3:

Pouch should now be turned the correct way round. Take time to explore the pouch whilst empty, putting it from hand to hand like a glove.

Step 4:

If desired, different things could be attached to the outside of the pouch. Such as sequins, bells or ribbons etc. (Use glue or sew on.)

Step 5:

Choosing fillings for bean bags. Each bean bag can have a different scent, texture and sound.

Option 1:

Outside Winter Theme - Using plastic bags or cellophane scrunched up to produce the sound of footsteps in the snow. Fill with dried fir cones and fir tree branches (perhaps collected on a winter walk). Material used for the bean bag should relate to footwear or clothing worn outside in the winter such as leather or plastic.

Option 2:

Christmas stocking parcel theme - use old wrapping paper or similar textured paper, rip up and scrunch up paper and dried orange and satsuma peel. Material which relates to Christmas stockings such as felt or even a sock could be used, making sure it relates to the participants' own experience of Christmas.

Option 3:

Clove or cinnamon stick scented theme - choose from different dried food such as lentils or pasta, add cloves or broken up cinnamon sticks amongst the lentils or pasta. Materials such as velvet or fun fur may be appropriate for these bags.

Option 4:

Make up your own ideas following the participants' experiences of Christmas.

Step 6:

Fill the pouches with the materials chosen, leave enough room at the top to fold over material before sewing or stapling the final side. Tie up and cut of threads.

Handy hints:

Please be safe when using electrical equipment, needles and staple guns. Always ensure adult supervision.

Ensure any glitter sprays are non-toxic.

Ensure that any orange peels, fir cones etc are dried thoroughly before use to avoid moulding.

Cloves and cinnamon sticks can be purchased at most supermarkets.

Please read the Things you need think about first section section before you prepare for this activity.

Credit:

Sense Scotland arts team December 2005.