This is a post from our new DIY contributor, Mollie from Wild Olive (love the blog name)!

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I love making things that don’t take too long and can be used in lots of ways, and I especially love when those things have happy little faces on them. This beanbag game can be played in different ways by arranging the baskets in new formations and it’s great for teaching gentle throwing.

Based on a traditional pin cushion design, these sweet smiling strawberries can also be used in play kitchens and for acting out berry picking or a trip for produce!

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You will need:

Red fabric in two prints (about 9 x 14″ each)
Bowl or plate (8–9″ in diameter)
Pencil
Scissors
Perle cotton or embroidery floss – black and green
Needle and thread
Sewing machine (optional)
Beans or rice
Berry baskets

Step 1: Using your bowl or plate, trace a circle and a half circle onto each of the red fabrics, then cut them out. Cut the full circles in half so you have three half circles from each fabric. Of course, you can make as many or as few of these as you want!



Step 2: With the straight edge down, embroider a little face in the center of each half circle using black perle cotton or embroidery floss. I make my faces with two french knots and a scallop, which is a cross between a lazy daisy and a fly stitch. You can learn more here.

Step 3: Fold the half circles in half with right sides together and sew along the straight raw edges, backstitching at the ends. A sewing machine makes this process go a lot faster, but you can sew up this seam by hand with tiny stitches and a plain ol’ needle and thread.

Step 4: Turn the sewn pieces right side out and thread a needle with a doubled piece of thread, then knot the end. Fold down the raw edge along the top of a strawberry and stitch very close to the fold with large stitches. The stitches should be about 3/8″ long so that you can pull the top closed well.

Step 5: Start pulling the stitches to gather the top, but before it is tightened all the way, fill the strawberry with beans or rice. Pull the thread to gather the opening. The hole should close up completely. If it won’t close, you may need less beans or longer stitches. Secure the thread with a stitch or two, and a large knot. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each strawberry.

Step 6: Thread your needle with a doubled piece of green perle cotton or embroidery floss, but don’t knot the ends. Push the needle across the gathers and hole in the top of a strawberry and pull the thread through, leaving a tail of 2–3 inches.

Step 7: Tie a square knot with the doubled thread, then trim the ends. Repeat steps 6 and 7 several times until you have a stem that is full enough. I did these steps a total of 4 times per berry, but depending on your materials, you may want to do more or less. Add stems to all of the strawberries.

With all of your beanbags made, you’re ready to play!

Line up the baskets and encourage your children to toss the berries into the baskets in order from front to back, or alternating the colors of the strawberries. With more baskets you can play tic-tac-toe!

If you have smooth floors, you may find that the baskets shift a bit if the beanbags are thrown in too hard. A roll of painter’s tape underneath will help prevent this, but you might want to use this opportunity to guide your kids in gentle tossing.

When the game is done, these berries are also perfect for dramatic play. Act out a trip to the farmer’s market or strawberry farm!

Happy crafting!