Sensory Bean Bags

CRi, Choice. Respect. independence. (formerly known as Community Residences, Inc.), is a community-based organization with a focused effort on providing people with developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs the resources, supports and services they need to live their lives with purpose, actively engaged in communities of their choosing. CRis mission fully supports a persons ability to exercise control of their lifes choices, and to live in and contribute to communities of their choosing, as young adults through aging in place. We believe in serving individuals within the communities in which they live & supporting the individuals choices and independence.

With COVID changing the way we all interact with the world, weve had to adjust our routines, implement coping mechanisms, and find new strategies to connect with our loved ones. CRi residents have had to do the same, but many dont understand why. They can no longer go to their day-programs, see friends from other homes, or venture into the community for a fun outing. Staff have been working with residents to find ways to keep them learning and growing through games and projects that can be done at home recreation therapy. The goal of recreation therapy is to motivate individuals to practice their fine motor skills and hone their cognitive function through tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation.

Bean bags are a versatile sensory tool that can be used by staff to help entertain residents who have been homebound during COVID. Bean bags can be a tool to help individuals work on their coping skills, communication, and understanding, all the while getting active.

A great reference website - http://mamaot.com/diy-no-sew-bean-bags-plus-lots-of-fun-bean-bag-activities/

Bean Bags

Help provide developmental tools to residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities during COVID. Bean bags can be sewn or glued depending on your skill level. The goal is to make sure the insides dont spill out when thrown. For each game, you will make two square bean bags, two triangle bean bags, and two circle bean bags.

Supplies

• Scissors
• Chalk
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Fabric choose a fabric with solid colors or clear patterns like checkered or polka dots. You can have one side of the bean bags be a solid color and the other side a color matching pattern. Whatever cloth you pick, make sure it doesnt have anything that would prevent the bag from sliding on a corn hole board.
• Quick drying fabric glue like Aleenes. Fabric glue is waterproof. Dont use super glue which will break down with water.
• Sandwich size ziplock bag
• Duct tape
• Filler Use a different textured filler for each shaped bean bag.
  • Rice
  • Dried beans
  • Dried lentils
  • Plastic/resin pellets
  • Dried corn kernels
  • Sand
  • **Added bonus, add jingle bells to your stuffing to make noise to engage the auditory senses!**

How To Get Started

**Bonus Try making different shapes and sizes of bean bags! Triangles, circles, or even animal shapes! If you do, dont forget to change the amount of filler you need. **

Bean bags can be dropped off to the following addresses:

Chantilly HQ

14160 Newbrook Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151
Donation boxes are located in the lobby beyond the double glass doors
Accepting donations Monday - Sunday from 10am to 2pm

Arlington/Falls Church Maintenance Office

7297A Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042
Donation boxes are located in the lobby just inside the front door
Accepting donations Monday - Sunday from 10am to 2pm

Richmond

808 Moorefield Park Dr., Ste. 120, Richmond, VA 23235
Accepting donations Monday Friday from 10am to 1pm