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DIY: Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair in 30 Minutes

All kids deserve a snuggly spot to call their own. Whether it’s for lounging, movie nights or just curling up with a good book, a pint-sized bean bag chair fits the bill. And while there are many of these available in stores, wouldn’t you rather make one as unique as your child?

Complicated bean bag tutorials can be intimidating with all their sections and circle-ness. But what if I told you that with two pieces of fabric, one zipper and a straight stitch you could have an adorable kids bean bag chair in 30 minutes—would you believe me?

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

Materials: two pieces of fabric (upholstery weight fabric is preferable), one 22″ zipper, 3.5 cubic feet of bean bag filling

In the following directions, all seam allowances are 5/8″.

1. Cut two fabric pieces to 45″ x 32″. The fabrics can be identical or you can choose coordinating patterns for a two-toned look.

Fabric for DIY Bean Bag Chair

2. Turn right sides together. On the long raw edges, use a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. Then straight stitch the same edges. Due to the amount of abuse these seams will endure, I highly recommend using a small stitch length for durability.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

3. Fold the fabric in half like a hot dog bun, matching up the sewn edges.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

4. Starting from the folded side, round one end, removing approximately 6″ of material from the corner.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

5. Open the fabric back up, and you should have a nice symmetrical curve on one side. Zigzag the raw edge, and again use your straight stitch to close.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

6. Open the remaining unsewn edge. Keeping right sides together, fold in half the opposite way as shown below.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

7. Sew your 22″ zipper into the center of this opening. I used an invisible zipper so it would be less noticeable when completed.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

8. Finish your zipper installation by closing the zipper edge with a straight stitch on either side.

Sew a Kids Bean Bag Chair

9. Turn the bean bag chair right side out and fill with beans! This kid-size chair takes exactly one bag of bean bag filling (3.5 cubic feet or 100 liters) to create the perfect plump.

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

Kids Bean Bag Chair Filling

There’s really no easy way to get those static cling-crazy little pellets inside without spilling a few. My best advice is to have two people holding the zipper open and a third person to pour—oh, and have your vacuum on standby!

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

If this chair doesn’t beckon “come, relax,” I don’t know what does!

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

Choosing to use two different fabrics means the bean bag chair is reversible too. Just flip it, and you’re rockin’ a whole new vibe—it’s two chairs in one!

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

Whether you make one for your own child or give it as a gift, I guarantee this kids bean bag chair will become the new favorite snuggle spot.

DIY Kids Bean Bag Chair

Keep in mind that bean bag filling pellets are a choking hazard! Because the zipper is accessible, please make these only for kids who are old enough to know better than to eat them.

Editor’s Note: If you have any concerns about your child opening the zipper or you’re making for a young child, consider sewing the bag shut (knowing you will have to rip open the seam if you ever want to refill the “beans” and sew shut again). It is never safe for a child to open the zipper or attempt to climb inside.

ro

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

Thank you for this tutorial! I made it but I did it to stuff Kid's extra blankets in there. It wasn't enough filling so I also put some old pillows in too. I used velcro instead of a zipper because that's what I had at home. She loves it! I made it just to keep the blankets off the floor.

Beth

Tuesday 14th of February 2023

Such a clever storage idea! Glad you liked the tutorial. :)

Gift Idea Geek

Wednesday 20th of July 2022

Super cute idea for a gift as well! We love it! However, I think you're being very optimistic about our sewing skills. I may just need to invest in that sewing room after all! Thanks for sharing! Andrew

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Don

Wednesday 29th of December 2021

I think this is perfect for decorating a kids room. The kids really enjoy having bean bags!