DIY No-Candy Valentine Gift

Heart Bean Bags--Tutorial

If you're looking for a candy-alternative for this Valentine's Day, these heart shaped bean bags are very simple to make. It's a great idea for nut/food-free classroom parties as well!

Here are the supplies you'll need:
A heart-shaped template
Bag of dried Navy beans
Red or other festive fabric
Scissors
measuring cup
Scrap Paper for impromptu funnel
Basic Sewing Supplies

Cut out two hearts from your Valentine fabric for each bean bag you would like to make. I made 8 bags, so I have 16 hearts (I did not take photos with each step, so please let me know if anything needs clarification.) My hearts are about 5.5" wide.

With right sides of your fabric hearts facing, stitch around the perimeter of the heart with a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave 2 inches open for turning (make sure this is on a straight edge, not the curve at the top of the heart).

Go over all seam allowances with pinking shears to make for smoother curves at the top of your heart. Turn right side out.

Then top stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave the 2 inches open for stuffing.

Use about 1/4 cup of dried beans (Navy beans were a good size for this project, though you can certainly use a variety of materials such as rice, lentils, whatever you have on hand.)

Now comes the fun part! Use a scrap piece of paper, rolled up, to make a funnel. Carefully pour the beans through the funnel into the bag, trying not to spill any on the floor (not like I happen to have done this or anything). 

Stitch your opening closed, following the top-stitching already in place, and you're done! Make sure this closing seam is very secure, as you don't want the bag to explode the first time it's tossed across a room. Or at your child's sibling. 

Happy Valentine's Day!