Have any old t-shirts or scrap cloth lying around?
Why not turn them into a fun game?!?
Rather than spending the big bucks for premade stuff, I love making my own with whatever I can find around the house!
So for Valentine’s Day I made my own heart “bean” bags out of a t-shirt and lentils!
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1538252812.jpg?fit=640%2C452&ssl=1)
Now I’m not super talented at sewing, so I did this all by hand and to the best of my knowledge 🙂
I traced out the heart onto the shirt with a marker.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1542597852.jpg?resize=421%2C375&ssl=1)
I do know you need to pin it! My sewing knowledge goes that far lol
I laid out the shirt so that when I pinned it, there are two layers pinned together. That way I know when I cut out the pieces, they will be the same.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1551534792.jpg?resize=419%2C374&ssl=1)
So here are my two layers, still pinned together, ready to be sewed together!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1630125622.jpg?resize=587%2C495&ssl=1)
I did a simple hand stitch all around the edge and left about an inch open so you can turn it inside-out.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1720412492.jpg?resize=327%2C436&ssl=1)
Once you have it turned inside-out (which is really right-side-out, hiding the marker and the stitches), take a pen or similar item to poke the edges the rest of the way out to get the full heart shape.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1722403512.jpg?resize=324%2C430&ssl=1)
Time to fill it up!
Since my stitches are so basic, rice would be too small and come right out. So I used lentils! You can use beans, but I find they make them kind of bulky and heavy for home-made games. If you use a sewing machine, then rice will be just perfect 🙂
I made a little funnel from paper and poured enough lentils in to make it about 2/3 full.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1726160372.jpg?resize=426%2C390&ssl=1)
Then I sewed that last open inch shut and VOILA!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1734135112.jpg?resize=459%2C487&ssl=1)
To make the game board, I used dollar tree foam poster board.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1752492612.jpg?resize=475%2C329&ssl=1)
I traced and cut out three heart holes…
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1819442872.jpg?resize=479%2C343&ssl=1)
…then decorated it with dollar tree stickers!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210203_1837271422.jpg?resize=574%2C396&ssl=1)
To hold it up, I used a hole punch to make holes in the corners and put pipe cleaners through them.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_181843204-rotated.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Secure the pipe cleaners to some chairs, and you’re ready to play!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_1818589522.jpg?resize=637%2C365&ssl=1)
He was SOOO pumped!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_2128409462.jpg?resize=469%2C479&ssl=1)
This is a great gross motor activity to get them moving, build muscle, and improve coordination!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_212907331.jpg?resize=573%2C566&ssl=1)
Note the door snake I used to block the bags from sliding under the couch – highly recommend 😀
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_212925036.jpg?resize=560%2C509&ssl=1)
SO many cute action shots! He had really good aim!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_212950944.jpg?resize=396%2C395&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_2129556402.jpg?resize=640%2C409&ssl=1)
Too cute hahaha
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_213042492.MP_.jpg?resize=355%2C528&ssl=1)
I’m a sucker for a cute photo op <3
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210204_213454860.MP_.jpg?resize=640%2C440&ssl=1)
Happy Valentine’s Day!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.blessthistoddlermess.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/heart-3096379_1920-2.jpg?resize=271%2C319&ssl=1)
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