Instructions for I Spy Bags

Young children love finding the surprises hidden in an I Spy Bag.

I Spy Bags are great toys for preschoolers and toddlers. They are simply bean bags with vinyl windows that allow kids to see the bags' interiors. The child simply shakes the bag or manipulates the contents from the outside of the bag to see the trinkets hiding inside. There are endless possibilities for the contents of an I Spy Bag, but small trinkets, such as alphabet buttons, work well. I Spy Bags are particularly useful on car and plane trips since they are quiet, portable toys that keep children busy.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 yard fleece fabric
• 1/2 yard clear vinyl
• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Small funnel
• Poly beads
• Trinkets

Instructions

1. Trace the shape you want for your bags onto a piece of paper. Use whatever shape you like. Some examples are fish, star and heart shapes. You could also simply use a circle or square. Cut out the shape.

2. Fold the fleece fabric in half. Pin the pattern to the top of the piece of fleece. Cut the fleece around the pattern, making sure you cut through both layers of fleece, to make the front and back of the bag.

3. Cut a hole in the center of the piece of fleece you are using for the front of the bag. The size of the hole is up to you.

4. Cut a piece of clear vinyl that is big enough to cover the hole.

5. Pin the vinyl to the fleece to prevent it from slipping.

6. Sew the vinyl to the fleece, sewing as closely to the edge of the hole as possible.

7. Sew the front and back of the bag together around the edges, leaving a hole about 2 inches long so you can stuff the bag.

8. Place a small funnel in the hole and pour poly beads and trinkets into the funnel. Don't fill the bag entirely or it will be difficult to sew it closed and hard for kids to find the trinkets hidden inside.

9. Remove the funnel and sew the hole closed.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase poly bead and trinkets at most craft stores. Buttons work well for trinkets. You can also use rice or beads to fill the bags, but keep in mind you will have to keep the bag dry if you do so. This may be hard if you plan on giving the bag to a teething child.

• Fleece doesn't fray, so you don't have to worry about the seams unraveling.

References

• Make It and Love It: "I Spy" Bags