In the US, most bean bag chairs are made of plastic and may contain small parts. To avoid plastic, try to find an organic filling such as beans or cedar shavings. These alternatives are sustainable, won’t go mouldy (as long as they are kept dry) and break down naturally in the ground.
In Spanish, the word “bolsa” (literally, bean bag) can mean a number of different things depending on the context. The word can be used to refer to any kind of bag, including a pillow case or cover. It is also used to describe a cushy seat that you can lean back in (see beanbag chair).
A juggler uses a bolsa to hit a target while he or she is running over a line and then catching the object before it hits the ground. These bags are popular with kids because they are lightweight and easy to throw, bounce, and catch.
Tossing and catching is a great way for kids to practice body parts and verbs. Give kids instructions like ‘Lanza la bolsita sobre el hombro derecho usando solo la mano derecha’ (toss the bean bag over your right shoulder using only the left hand) or ‘Por ahi viene la bolsa de trabajo.’
You can also adapt the classic bean bag toss to work on words, numbers, letters, or pictures. Draw them on the sidewalk, tape down paper with the words on it, or use the same game with labels on boxes or baskets. This is a fun language activity that can be played without keeping score, making it a great choice for groups of kids who want to play together.