Post by Kim of Beehive ART

At Beehive ART we always like to make dad a funny gift for Father’s day… because really, who’s funnier than DAD!  This Father’s Day we decided to make a beanbag toss game for dad to play with.

Materials needed

• Cardboard
• Oil pastels
• Watercolor paints
• Bean bags (or cotton fabric to sew your own and dried beans to fill)
• Fabric paint / fabric markers

Crafting your cardboard beanbag toss board

1. To start we cut the cardboard into 14 x 18 pieces. You can cut them into any size, larger, smaller or a completely different shape if you prefer.
2. Next we used a circle template to cut the hole in the cardboard. I suggested that they use the circle as the head or mouth of whatever they chose to draw so we placed it closer to the top half of the cardboard piece so the kids had an area to draw bodies below.
3. The kids then drew themselves, their dads, frogs, monsters, and cool colorful designs on their cardboard pieces.  We used oil pastels for this part, lots of contrasting color before adding the watercolor paint to create a watercolor resist, one of our favorite techniques.

While the watercolor resists were drying we moved on to the beanbags.  I had sewn the beanbags beforehand myself which was pretty simple but you can buy a dozen beanbags here if you’re not into sewing your own.

Sewing and decorating your beanbags

1. Each child made two bean bags, one for themselves and one for their dad. If you bought your beanbags, skip steps 2-4 and go straight to decorating!
2. Cut the cotton fabric into 4 x 4 squares.
3. Sew the sides up and leave a small opening to add the beans.
4. Once the beans are added, sew it closed.  
5. Decorate your beanbags using fabric paint or fabric markers to add that personal touch. 

 

Now, just lean your completed board against the wall or a chair and your gift is ready for Dad! And to complete the gift, don’t forget a sweet handmade card.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

Kim Poler is queen bee of beehive ART. She lives for inspiring visual expression, explosions of colors, forms and exciting combinations of mixed-media art. She creates, designs and sells art projects, teaches children art and blogs at Beehive Art.