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Bean Bag Potpourri

Make your own bean bags in a jiffy by using old, clean socks. Stuff them with beans, lentils, rice, sand, or several plastic bags. Each of the items has its own unique feel and sound. Maybe make one or two of each! Tie a knot in the sock or use a rubber band to seal it. If there's any extra sock, you can cut it off or fold it over the bean bag.

Use the bean bag in lots of ways:

1. Put it on different parts of your child's body and let her take it off. Tell her where the bean bag is and talk about how she's going to remove it.
2. Let her put the bean bag on you. Tell her where she put it and how you are going to take it off. This works well with #1 as a game. It will also teach her to take turns and anticipate the next step.
3. Toss the bean bag into a box or clean trash can. Talk about how it goes IN the container and how you are going to get it OUT.
4. Toss the bean bag to each other. Try using your feet to toss it!
5. Step on the bean bag. Step off the bean bag.
6. Hide the bean bag and then search for it. Be sure to emphasize all the words that describe your actions. ("I'm looking UNDER the blanket for the bean bag." or "Let's look BEHIND the chair for our bean bag.")
7. Put the bean bag in a box with a few other toys. Ask your child to find the bean bag.