Square Bean Bags Archives - Bear Paw Creek Movement props, bags and totes made in the USA. Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:09:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-Bear-Paw-Creek-Full-Color-Icon-Round-Crop-100x100.png Square Bean Bags Archives - Bear Paw Creek 32 32 5 Children’s Books to Use With Movement Props for Read Across America Week & National Reading Month https://musicandmovementproducts.com/5-childrens-books-to-use-with-movement-props-for-read-across-america-week-national-reading-month/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-childrens-books-to-use-with-movement-props-for-read-across-america-week-national-reading-month Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:23:21 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=61095 5 Children's Books to Use With Movement Props for Read Across America Week & National Reading Month Did you know that March 2nd through the 6th is Read Across America Week? This week is the nation's largest celebration of reading. The National Education Association (NEA) […]

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5 Children's Books to Use With Movement Props for Read Across America Week & National Reading Month

Did you know that March 2nd through the 6th is Read Across America Week? This week is the nation's largest celebration of reading. The National Education Association (NEA) established this week of celebration to educate on the importance of reading and its benefits, especially for young children and adults.

Not only do we have Read Across America Week to celebrate, the entire month of March is National Reading Month! We are excited for the focus on literacy this month and thought it would be fun to compile a list of books that can be paired with our creative movement props.

Keep reading for 5 children's book ideas to use with movement props along with a book by one of our long-time friends, Maryann "Mar" Harman.

5 Children's Books to Use With Movement Props National Reading Month Read Across America Week Bear Paw Creek Creative Music and Movement with Props

1. "Wheels on the Bus" Book and Activity With the Stretchy Band

Wheels on the Bus has always been one of my favorite books. I have the 25th anniversary pop-up edition of this book and it is so fun to read, children are always fascinated with the interactive pages and the illustrations are beautiful. One of the great things about this book and song is that it is perfect to use as a Stretchy Band activity! This blog post by our friend, Carole Stephens, talks about the different movements you can do with the Stretchy Band while singing the song. Here is a snippet to give you an idea:

Start singing the traditional song, “The Wheels on the Bus”, while moving the band in circles away from your body. Children will follow along quickly. Below are motions for some of the additional verses. Feel free to add your own! This is definitely a favorite activity in my classes!

  1. Wheels — move Stretchy Band in circles away from body.
  2. Doors — legs straight out in front, lay back slowly, then sit up (yep, it’s sit-ups!).
  3. Windows — move Stretchy Band up’n’down- up on the word “up”, down on the word “down.”
  4. Wipers — move hands/band from side to side.
  5. People go bumpity-bump –— shake the band and wiggle all around.
  6. Babies cry — knock fists together, then apart quickly on “waa waa waa!”
  7. Repeat wheels verse to end the song

I'm also linking a few videos below to give you a visual idea of how to incorporate this fun Wheels on the Bus Stretchy Band activity into your next music and movement time. Including one where we customized the song and made it a "Wheels on the Tractor". Get creative with this activity and have fun with switching up a few words and changing the movements. Not only is this book and activity perfect for Read Across America Week and National Reading Month it's great to use year-round.

2. "Tammy the Troll: A Dance in the Forest" — A creative dance book to use with movement scarves!

Our friends at Once Upon A Dance released an adorable book last year titled Tammy the Troll: A Dance in the Forest. We were so excited when they reached out to us asking about collaborating to make a set with the book and some of our creative movement scarves. You can check out the set here.

Readers are invited to stretch, spin, jump and more as they act out the journey to find Tammy. Kids are invited to use a creative movement scarf as a backpack, a paddle, butterfly wings, a towel, and a pillow to enhance the fun and explore the movements, dnace fundamentals, and early-learning concepts.

As kids move along with the book’s diverse characters, they explore levels, direction, spatial awareness, emotions, balance, movement quality, and more. Dance stories are a wonderful way to combine books and movement for kids who love both, making them great for Read Across America Week. Tammy the Trolls: A Dance in the Forest is perfect for dance class, creative movement play, physical education, or any setting where children are inspired to explore and express themselves.

3. "Shake my Sillies Out" (Raffi Songs to Read)

Many of us are familiar with Raffi's classic song, "Shake My Sillies Out".  When I ran across this book, Shake My Sillies Out (Raffi Songs to Read) on amazon I was so excited and thought it would be a perfect addition to our list of books for Read Across America Week and National Reading Month.

My first thought for a movement prop to use with this book and song was a streamer. We have several different streamer options from hoops to fabric wrist scrunchies, ribbon and chiffon, primary or rainbow! I can see each child or student holding a streamer while they shake, clap, jump, and wiggle their way through this classic Raffi sing-along book. You could also do this with movement scarves. Both the streamers and scarves would be less stimulating as they would be soft and quiet even with kids getting excited and moving around.

Another option would be egg shakers, of course! We have a variety of different hand instruments available on our website including egg shakers. While they would definitely add an element of noise to your music and movement time, egg shakers would be very fun to use with Raffi's "Shake My Sillies Out".

4. "My Many Colored Days" — A Dr. Seuss Board Book to Use with Scarves

Did you know that National Reading Month was started as a way to honor Dr. Seuss' birthday and motivate people of all ages to read every day? Once I found this out, I knew My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss had to be on our list of books for Read Across America Week and National Reading Month. This book is perfect for learning and reinforcing skills such as:

  • Color recognition
  • Identifying and exploring moods and emotions
  • Starting and stopping — motor control
  • Creating movements to match music and words

We have a kit available on our site that includes My Many Colored Days board book, IDEAS Music Color CD, and creative movement scarves. We have a group kit option as well as a small kit to fit your needs. You can check out the kit here! The music tracks accompany the Dr. Seuss board book and creative movement scarves. It can be used for both classroom and individual use. The music is also perfect also perfect to use by itself for exploration of movement, mood, and creativity.

5. "My Color Book" — Use Bean Bags and Scarves to Practice Color Recognition

Help children love learning by incorporating this colorful and engaging book by Kathy Schumacher MT-BC at Tuneful Teaching. The book is also a great accompaniment for learning sign language. The following signs/motions are included: my, color, book, sun, yellow, pumpkin, orange, sky, clouds, white, plum, purple, apple, red, leaping, frog, green, ocean, blue, acorn, brown, rolling, tire, black, everywhere, in, out, eyes, and look/stare.

The colors included are: yellow, orange, white, purple, red, green, blue, brown, black

By using a movement prop in tandem with the My Color Book, you can provide something tactile to further reinforce the color concepts. Our Primary and Neutral pack of Bean Bags would be perfect as it includes all of the colors listed in the My Color Book. You could also build your own kit of movement scarves by choosing the colors you need.

As you read through the book, have your child or student point to or pick up the corresponding colored Bean Bag or Scarf. In a group setting, you could pass out the Bean Bags or Scarves and as each color is read, whoever is holding that color could do a fun movement or just lift it up and repeat the colors' name.

BONUS Book: "Building Brains with Music: A must have guide on how to use music to enhance brain development"

Last but not least, I have to recommend this book by Maryann "Mar" Harman. She is a music educator with a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Master's in Education, with an emphasis on Early Childhood and is a certified Level I Orff. These degrees contribute to her ability to write songs that are musically and educationally sound for children's music as well as fun and easy to use for teachers and parents.

This book is all about using music to enhance brain development and in it, Mar discusses how to use movement props with music to further enhance music's incredible benefits. Her book also includes access to 27 of her amazing digital songs.

We collaborated with Mar to put together a kit with different props and instruments to go with her book. You can check out the Music with Mar. Student Manipulative Kit here or click here to check out the book only.

I hope after reading this blog post that you are left inspired and maybe have a few more ideas on how you can use books with our movement props. If you incorporate any of these activities into your next music and movement time and share any photos or videos, please tag us! We love to see them. You can find us @bearpawcreek on both Facebook and Instagram. If you have any more book suggestions for us, send us an email at info@bearpawcreek.com. Happy reading!

Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

The post 5 Children’s Books to Use With Movement Props for Read Across America Week & National Reading Month appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Music and Movement Month 2023 Recap https://musicandmovementproducts.com/music-and-movement-month-2023-recap-movement-activities-early-childhood-education-teaching-tools/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=music-and-movement-month-2023-recap-movement-activities-early-childhood-education-teaching-tools Mon, 01 May 2023 11:00:43 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=59946 Music and Movement Month 2023 Recap It's hard to believe that April is already over and that our Music and Movement Month celebration has come to an end. We had so much fun highlighting music and movement activities, resources, movement props, and more over the […]

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Music and Movement Month 2023 Recap

It's hard to believe that April is already over and that our Music and Movement Month celebration has come to an end. We had so much fun highlighting music and movement activities, resources, movement props, and more over the last month with Sandra from Sing Play Create. And, if you know us at Bear Paw Creek, you know that we LOVE giveaways. Getting to pull one together with Sandra worth over $150.00 to celebrate and give someone the opportunity to incorporate music and movement into their lives was wonderful.

With over 500 entries and hundreds more bonus entries, your response to the giveaway was fantastic! A big thank you to everyone that entered and participated in the giveaway.

Sandra has so many amazing music and movement activities on her website and TPT store. On top of that, she created several more over the last month just for our celebration! Just in case you missed them, you can find all of the resources linked below.

8 Scarf and Ribbon Movement Activities

The first of several movement activities shared by Sandra was, 8 Scarf and Ribbon Activities. Not only are there eight activities, but she also gives you the details on how to do them. Plus, there are two songs for scarves and ribbons you can use too! Below you will find the time stamps for the YouTube video which clearly demonstrates each activity.

  • INTRO: 00:00-2:10
  • 2:10-SECTION 1: Scarf and Ribbon Warm Up Activity
  • 6:55-SECTION 2: Scarf Activity Song
  • 11:05-SECTION 3: Teach High and Low
  • 14:12-SECTION 4: Loud and Soft
  • 18:10-SECTION 5: Expression and Social Activity
  • 24:34-SECTION 6: Tempo Game
  • 30:15-SECTION 7: Vocal Explorations
  • 32:37-SECTION 8: Teach Form (Vivaldi's Spring Concerto)

10 Bean Bag Activities for Music and Movement

Bean Bag activities are just what you need if you’re looking to keep engagement high. In this blog post, Sandra shares interactive games and activities that have students singing, playing, and moving using our Bean Bags. Games are a great way to teach children because often, children don't even know they are learning, they're just busy having fun!

  • 1:01 Easy Warm UP Bean Bag Game
  • 2:00 Grizzly Bear Bean Bag Game
  • 5:08 Introduce and Teach How to Play with Bean Bags “Hello Song” Freebie
  • 5:57 Upper Elementary Bean Bag Games for Music Class Learning and Assessment
  • 7:19 Old Mac Donald Bean Bag Game
  • 10:10 The Farmer in the Dell Bean Bag Game
  • 12:19 Snail Snail Kodaly Song Bean Bag Game
  • 14:35 Doggie, Doggie Where’s Your Bone Bean Bag Game
  • 16:30 Vocal Warmups with Bean Bags
  • 18:10 Movement Activities with Bean Bags
  • 19:50 Songs with Bean Bags
  • 21:00 Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
  • 21:54 There’s a Chocolate Chip Cookie on My Head Sing Along
  • 24:00 Bean Bag Activities for Transitions, Games, Anytime!

Best Parachute Movement Actvities for Music Class

Did you know that parachute songs, games, and movement activities can teach musical and movement concepts? And that they give students opportunities to explore through creativity and improvisation?  And yes, they make a great movement break for fitness. They also help with SEL (Social Emotional Learning), social skills, beat, and form activities as well as singing.

In this blog post, Sandra shared some fun parachute activities that you can use in music class, circle time, music therapy session, or during at-home play. Click here to check out the blog post and learn about all of the different parachute activities, plus get a creative movement song made specifically for play parachutes! You can also watch the YouTube video HERE.

Check out our Small Play Parachute featured in the video here.

Fun Balloon Ball Music and Movement Activities

Balloon Balls are a great movement prop to add to your home, classroom, or clinic. This is a great music therapy tool for little ones to learn how to catch and throw as it is so light weight. With the lightness and softness of this ball, it’s great to kick around without worrying about somebody getting hurt. Sandra shared several different Balloon Ball movement activities including steady beat activities, rhythm games, and songs!

To read the full blog post, click here. And, to check out the YouTube video demonstrating the activities, click here!

You can also check out her other blog post: 10 Ways to Use Balls in the Music Classroom

Check out all of the fun Balloon Ball variations from us at Bear Paw Creek here! You can choose from a variety of patterns and designs. From the classic rainbow, to a pumpkin, apple, galaxy theme, floral, and more.

Thank You for Celebrating Music and Movement Month!

We absolutely loved celebrating Music and Movement Month and are so thankful to all of your for participating! Seeing videos and pictures of you incorporating Music and Movement with your students made it extra special.

Our hope is that over the last month, you were able to learn more about Music and Movement and the benefits it brings for people of all ages and that you will continue to incorporate it into your life and the lives of your children and students. Not only is it a great way to learn and teach important skills, it's also so much fun. We are also hoping to make this an annual event, so stay tuned for Music and Movement Month 2024!

Check out all of the amazing resources, movement props, teaching tips, and more shared during Music and Movement Month 2023!
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Bear Paw Creek Music and Movement Month The Benefits of Music and Movement for Early Childhood Development Best Music Education Teaching Tools Movement Props
Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

The post Music and Movement Month 2023 Recap appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Music and Movement Month – Celebrating With a Giveaway! https://musicandmovementproducts.com/music-and-movement-month-celebrating-with-a-giveaway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=music-and-movement-month-celebrating-with-a-giveaway Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:14:39 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=59866 Music and Movement Month - Celebrating With a Giveaway! You might be thinking, Music and Movement Month?! I didn't know there is such a thing! While Music and Movement Month isn't a nationally recognized event, Sandra Hendrickson from Sing Play Create celebrates it all month […]

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Music and Movement Month - Celebrating With a Giveaway!

You might be thinking, Music and Movement Month?! I didn't know there is such a thing! While Music and Movement Month isn't a nationally recognized event, Sandra Hendrickson from Sing Play Create celebrates it all month long in April every year, and this year Bear Paw Creek is thrilled to join the celebration!

I'm sure you know by now that we at Bear Paw Creek are extremely passionate about music and movement and the benefits it brings for people of all ages. Our movement props were all inspired by the desire to create useful, educational, and fun tools that can be used by parents, therapists, educators, and anyone wanting to incorporate music into the lives of their children or students. That's why we are so excited to be partnering with Sandra this month to bring you a HUGE giveaway full of music, creative movement props, activities, and more.

Keep reading to find out all of the details on the giveaway and how you can join in on the celebration!

 

Music and Movement Month Giveaway & Sing Play Create

Sing Play Create is an incredible resource for parents, teachers, and music therapists. Sandra has two YouTube channels that are FULL of educational videos, teaching tips, songs, and activities. You can check them both out here: Sing Play Create Educational Music Channel and Sing Play Create Teaching Tips.  Also on her website you will find a free resource library where you can gain access to exclusive email list freebies! Such as music lessons, brain breaks, songs, games, printables, and more. To learn more about Sandra and why she started Sing Play Create, click here. 

Among all of the amazing educational resources Sandra has created, she has activity bundles made specifically for our creative movement props. She has bundles for the Stretchy Band, Bean Bags, Parachute and more.

For our big giveaway we have combined both of our products to offer a prize worth over $150.00! Plus, all of the props and activities you could win will be extremely beneficial as you either continue incorporating music and movement into your children's and student's lives or, if you're just starting out.

Here's what you could win (All worth over $150):

1.) Connect-a-Stretchy Band

2.) Set of 6 Primary Color Wrist Ribbon Streamers

3.) Creative Movement Scarf Kit, Set of 6

4.) Set of 6 Primary Color Square Bean Bags

5.) Rainbow Balloon Ball

6.) Small Play Parachute for Kids

7.) Balloon Ball Activities for Children

8.) Buggy Parachute Music and Movement Activities: Music, PE, All Classrooms

9.) Buggy Stretchy Band Movement Activities for Music, P.E., Movement Classes

10.) Buggy Scarf and Ribbon Activities for Preschool, Music Class, P.E. Movement Activities

11.) Buggy Bean Bag Activities and Games for Preschool, Music and Movement Classes

12.) Buggy Movement Activity Posters, Cards, Presentation for Freeze Dance Activities

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway!

Join the Celebration and Get Bonus Entries!

Do you want to join the Music and Movement Month celebration?

Post a video or picture of you and your children or students incorporating music and movement into your music therapy session, circle time, music class, virtual session, or at-home play! Tag us in your post @bearpawcreek and @singplaycreate and use the hashtag #musicandmovementmonth to get 10 BONUS ENTRIES!

To learn more about the benefits of music and movement, you can check out this blog post from several years ago. Make sure you're following us @bearpawcreek and @singplaycreate on social media where we will be sharing music and movement themed activities and resources all month long. You can check out week one's activity, "8 Scarf & Ribbon Activities Blog Post" and "8 Scarf Music and Movment Activities for Elementary Music Class YouTube Video".

We are so excited to be giving back with a big giveaway and hope you will join in on the celebration!

It's Music and Movement Month! Click here to get the details about our BIG GIVEAWAY and find out how you can join the celebration.
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Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

The post Music and Movement Month – Celebrating With a Giveaway! appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Best Parachute Activities and Songs https://musicandmovementproducts.com/best-parachute-activities-and-songs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-parachute-activities-and-songs Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:30:39 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=59664 Best Parachute Activities and Songs In 2022, we added a new product to our creative movement prop line, the Small Play Parachute for Kids. Since then, it has quickly grown in popularity and we have loved seeing everyone's excitement over it. Seeing as it has […]

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Best Parachute Activities and Songs

In 2022, we added a new product to our creative movement prop line, the Small Play Parachute for Kids. Since then, it has quickly grown in popularity and we have loved seeing everyone's excitement over it. Seeing as it has been several months since we introduced the parachute, I thought it was about time to share some parachute activities and song ideas that you can use to make parachute play, even more, fun and educational.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of parachute play and get parachute activity ideas to use in your next session, circle time, or during at-home play.

Plus, I'm going to share a list of songs to use with the parachute from a new resource that I am beyond excited to tell you about!

The Benefits of Parachute Play for Kids

We all know that children learn very well through play, imitation, and exploration — music and movement combine these using a range of different senses. Music and movement activities improve coordination, gross and fine motor skills, cognitive development, strengthen imagination, and so much more. To learn more about the benefits of music and movement activities, you can check out one of our other blog posts here.

Music and movement activities are even better when paired with creative movement props. Props are used as an aid to reinforce or support movements, concepts, skills, imagination, and creativity in the music space. What happens when you incorporate parachute activities into your music and movement time? What unique benefits does the parachute offer?

  • Teaches children to listen and follow instructions well
  • Encourages cooperation and teamwork
  • Reinforces turn-taking, sharing, and promotes social interaction
  • Promotes communication and language skills
  • Helps develop a sense of rhythm
  • Introduces physical activity as fun
  • Assists in developing hand-eye coordination, balance, and mobility
  • Teaches problem-solving

Our small play parachute is 30" wide with four handles, making it perfect for one-on-one use, for three children and an adult, or four children with an adult supervising. And, you still get all of the same benefits with the smaller version as you do with the full-size one. Having the smaller parachute also allows you the option of one-on-one time with a child that the large parachute cannot give.

If a child has certain skills that need improving or issues that need to be further addressed, but can't be done in a group setting, the small parachute allows you to work with the child one-on-one while still getting the amazing benefits of parachute play.

Benefits of Parachute Play for Kids & the Best Parachute Activities and Songs - www.BearPawCreek.com
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Here is a great video shared by DiscoverDance Education on Instagram that showcases the size of the parachute and one of the ways it can be used. In the video, it is being used by an adult and early teen.

"In 2018, DiscoverDance and Bear Paw Creek teamed up to create the DiscoverDance Prop Collection. Over the years, DiscoverDance has had the honor of testing and incorporating all of their props into the DiscoverDance program.

Their latest creation is the small play parachute for kids. It is perfect for toddler hands, small classes, or caregiver and tot pairings. It’s easier to maneuver due to its size and weight, and it’s quieter for those children who are sensitive to the loud noises a large parachute produces."

-Andrea Trench, DiscoverDance

Parachute Activities

There are so many different parachute activities out there as well as music to go with them. Here are just a few of our favorites that would work well with the Small Play Parachute!

1.) Popcorn: Put soft or very light balls on top of the parachute, like these. Everyone involved should stand and hold a handle. Shake the parachute and quickly move it up and down, the balls will look like popcorn popping! To add a fun challenge for older kids, place an even amount of two colors of balls on the parachute. For example, you could use six red balls and six blue balls. If you have four kids around the parachute, then divide into two teams. If you are working with just two individuals, each person is on their own team. The red team wants to shake the parachute while keeping their red balls on and getting the blue ones off. Blue team tries the opposite.

2.) Don't Drop the Balloon Ball: This is similar to the Popcorn parachute activity and the well known game "The Floor is Lava", but is a little bit easier for younger children. Take one of our Balloon Balls (they come in several fun patterns) and place it in the center of the parachute. Slowly begin to move the parachute up and down, side to side, try to get the Balloon Ball to spin around, but don't let it hit the floor! The goal is to keep it on the parachute while moving it around. This helps reinforce the skill of concentration, communication, and teamwork while you work together to keep the ball from touching the ground.

3.) Catapult: This could also be done with the Balloon Ball or, you could even try using a bunch of the small soft balls linked above. Place the ball in the middle of the parachute then everyone goes, '1, 2, 3, LIFT!" The idea is to throw the ball as high as you can in the air. If you're indoors, can you hit the ceiling? For more of a challenge, add some weight. You can throw some of our Bean Bags on the parachute and try to get those to catapult as high as possible. It won't be as easy as the Balloon Ball or soft balls!

4.) Merry-Go-Round: Have everyone turn sideways and hold a handle. They walk around in a circle to create a "merry-go-round". Change it up and have them skip, hop, or march around in a circle. Play around with the music, you can pause it, cueing the participants to switch directions. This would be a great activity to incorporate with music that varies in tempo. When the music goes fast, try to make the merry-go-round go as fast as possible! When it goes slow, try to walk in slow motion.

Keep reading for a list of songs that will go perfectly with these parachute activities.

Songs to Use With the Parachute

Have you ever heard of Children's Music with Nancy Kopman? I hadn't until a few months ago! Nancy Kopman is an Early Childhood Educator, recording artist, performer and music curriculum builder. Her "Music With a Purpose" is used by educators, therapists, caregivers and families worldwide. Nancy's songs and classes (both in-person and online) focus on movement, connection and learning together while having fun. She currently has six albums available for purchase, both as downloadable and physical CDs. You can check them out here.

Several weeks ago I reached out to her asking about her blog post, Parachute Games and Songs for Young Children. This led to a conversation about different ways we could collaborate with each other, since her music fits so well with our creative movement props. We now have several projects in the works and are beyond excited about this new partnership! Be sure to to follow Nancy on her social media pages and also check out her Patreon community. You can also find her music on Spotify.

Nancy sent me a list of her favorite songs to use with the parachute that I will list below, they would also work very well with our Stretchy Bands!

  1. "Shake, Shake, Shake", from "Senses" (written specifically for the parachute)
  2. "Walk Around", from "The Seasons" (see the song in action with a large parachute here)
  3. "Bicycle", from "The Seasons"
  4. "Breath In, Breathe Out", "from "Wonderful You" (nice slow movements with a parachute as you breathe in and out)
  5. "Horses", from "Senses"
  6. "Popcorn", from "I Am A Tree"
  7. "In and Out", from "I Am A Tree"

I hope all of the parachute activities and songs shared will be fun additions to your music class, circle time, music therapy sessions, or during at home play. Music and movement, especially when paired with creative movement props, is such a fun way of teaching children very important skills and we are honored to play a part in that!

Bear Paw Creek Benefits of Parachute Play for Kids Best Parachute Activity Ideas Early Childhood Development Resources Teaching Tools for Parent Best Educational Toys for Kids
Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

The post Best Parachute Activities and Songs appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> 17 Ways to Create Opportunities for Indoor Movement Activities This Winter https://musicandmovementproducts.com/17-ways-to-create-opportunities-for-indoor-movement-activities-this-winter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=17-ways-to-create-opportunities-for-indoor-movement-activities-this-winter Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:14:29 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=51952 17 Ways to Create Opportunities for Indoor Movement Activities This Winter Indoor Movement Activities to Chill Out the Winter Blahs! When the kids are climbing the walls because they have been cooped up inside for too long what are ya going to do? I am […]

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17 Ways to Create Opportunities for Indoor Movement Activities This Winter

Indoor Movement Activities to Chill Out the Winter Blahs!

When the kids are climbing the walls because they have been cooped up inside for too long what are ya going to do?

I am going to give you so many ideas for indoor movement activities that the kids won’t have a chance to even think about being bored!… and then they will be able to think. period.

We all know that dreaded phrase, “I’m boooored!”

It’s actually banned at our house I hate to hear it so much! But that doesn’t mean my kids don’t go stir-crazy when the winter weather takes over! Even as an adult, I’m prone to cabin fever sometimes.

When the weather begins to turn grey outside something in our heads begins to become dull as well! Physical exercise: moving our bodies is the best cure for this dullness!

With old man winter approaching, you need some engaging indoor activities for kids in your arsenal and at the ready! Therefore, I went on a quest to find some amazing games and ideas to engage motor skills and imagination in indoor spaces to keep those kids occupied and the indoor decor safe at the same time.

ways to create opportunities for indoor movement activities

Why Fun Indoor Movement Activities are Important for Intellect and Behavior

Did you know that physical activity can boost brain power, improve mood, enhance concentration and increase decision-making skills? (source )

Furthermore, The benefits of exercise come directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells. (source)

Studies show that even briefly exercising for 20 minutes facilitates information processing and memory functions. Did you get that? Being on the move for just 20 minutes at a time will help us (and our kids) concentrate better Immediately! Wow!

Dr. John Ratey, via Forbes, says that exercise improves your brain in the short term by raising your focus for two to three hours afterward. So frequent breaks for movement are immediately beneficial for concentration! Great news for teachers and moms alike!

Indoor movement activities will make kids smarter! Being active will increase their ability to focus and concentrate, making your job easier!

So whether you are a mom stuck inside with multiple children during a snowstorm, or a teacher with a classroom full of children that you need to get to concentrate, these activities are your ticket to peace and success!

So whether you are a mom stuck inside with multiple children during a snowstorm, or a teacher with a classroom full of children that you need to get to concentrate, these activities are your ticket to peace and success!
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Indoor Movement Activities Create Focus Smarter Sensory Integration Lesson Plans

Snowball Fight in a Bag

Have a quick snowball fight! When your woes are caused having ice outside instead of snow this is a great solution!

# 1 Traditional snowball fight with 2 teams, forts, and fun

#2 Dodgeball version, which is much easier in small spaces with the same amount of fun

#3 Make 2 rows of kids facing each other with several buckets in front of each row. Each team frantically tries to get all of their snowballs into the buckets in front of the other team!

#4 Have a Snowball Freeze!

#5 Check out these snow-themed activities

Affordable Musical Movement Game Indoor Snowball Fight Miss Carole Dancing Feet Children

Studies show that exercising even briefly facilitates information processing and memory functions… when we MOVE our brains work better IMMEDIATELY!

Indoor Activities with Scarves

carves are just plain fun!  You can acquire them from grandmothers, thrift stores, garage sales, or from Bear Paw Creek with ease for hours of creative movement fun!

#6 Turn on some dance tunes and hand the kids some scarves -they’ll know what to do!

#7 Have a Dancing Scarf Blues party

#8 Creative Movement Activities and Songs with Scarves

#9 Pass the hanky

#10 Try These Beat Passing Games

#11 Drop the hanky or scarf in our case. You can find directions here

17 Indoor Music Movement Scarves and Streamers Special Needs Parents At Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowball Fight in a Bag

Bean Bags: The Classic Indoor Activity for the Win!

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Bean Bags are so open-ended the possibilities are really endless! Here are just a few ideas to get you started

#12 Play hopscotch with them! Create a board with painter’s tape and use the beanbags for playing pieces

#13 Play Tic-Tac-Toe with them on a giant grid on the floor (use painter’s tape again)

#14 Play “Hot Potatoe” with beanbags. Pass the beanbag to music. Whoever has it when the music stops is out.

#15 Bean Bag Hunt: One person hides the beanbags while the others hide their eyes. Then everyone dashes to find all the beanbags!

#16 Basketball with a change-up: use beanbags to toss and a laundry basket or sand bucket for the goal!

#17 Bean Bag races: create a start line and a finish line, the players push the beanbag across the path with their foreheads!

Unique Dance Games Community Recreational Therapy Eldercare 4 Inch Square Bean Bags Children's Ministry

Just Get Moving!

There you have it! 17 Amazing ideas to get those minds and bodies moving in a productive way. Whether you take one fun idea each day or use all 17 ideas in a marathon activity-based day is completely up to you!  3 great movement props at your disposal for easy fun, what will you do first?

Don’t keep the good stuff to yourself! Be sure to share this list with someone else who you know could benefit!

Pin This for when your ready to plan neat stuff.

17 Ways to Create Opportunities for Indoor Movement Activities This Winter

Joy Racicot

Joy is a mom of 6 (ages 5-26) who has a passion for encouraging moms! With three already grown up, married and having families of their own, three still at home, 2 kids with Down syndrome, and having been through a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in a teen she has definitely been through some ups and downs. However, she believes that each mom is divinely appointed and equipped to raise her particular kid(s) better than anyone else in the world no matter how it may feel on any particular day! She wants to inspire Your Mom heart as well as making the more practical aspects of running a household a tad easier over at JoyOnThisMomJourney.com.

The post 17 Ways to Create Opportunities for Indoor Movement Activities This Winter appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> 12 Ideas to Reimagine Teaching with Beanbags https://musicandmovementproducts.com/12-ideas-to-reimagine-teaching-with-beanbags-play-therapy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=12-ideas-to-reimagine-teaching-with-beanbags-play-therapy Thu, 08 Aug 2019 08:51:06 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=51214 12 Ideas to Reimagine Teaching with Beanbags Fresh ideas for using bean bags this fall in the music room or choral rehearsal. As summer vacation draws to a close, it is always fun to get some fresh ideas for the beginning of the school year.  […]

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12 Ideas to Reimagine Teaching with Beanbags

Best Four Inch Bean Bags Childhood Play Therapy Librarians Parents

Fresh ideas for using bean bags this fall in the music room or choral rehearsal.

As summer vacation draws to a close, it is always fun to get some fresh ideas for the beginning of the school year.  So go ahead and add some ways to use the bean bags from Bear Paw Creek to your repertoire! These activities will also bring giggles and smiles to teaching the potentially humdrum foundations of music making.

This blog will share activities using beanbags not only the classroom, but also in choral rehearsal. In addition, at the end of the post is a game I developed exclusively for you, the fans of Bear Paw Creek’s Blog!  This game is open-ended, so with some poster board and markers, and of course, beanbags, you can make a delightful game that can address any skill your students need to work on.

I have been thinking about beanbags a lot lately. It is a shame for a prop that raises the spirits of students and teachers alike to be overlooked. Especially considering its durability and versatility. Why don’t we use them more?  And, if we don’t have them, why not? They are certainly one of the most affordable props out there.  In fact, www.bearpawcreek.com has bean bags for just $20 per dozen, and you can even choose the bright or muted color palette or texture that works best for your students’ needs.

If the obstacle is a lack of awareness of how to use this awesome prop, then let’s overcome it, with these 12 ideas that will help you to reimagine teaching with beanbags. These ideas include activities that I have developed, as well as some existing activities that I have adapted to beanbags, not to mention the exclusive game at the end of this blog.

Let’s get you excited for the new school year, and for using that underdog of props, beanbags!

Bean Bag Play Therapy Activities for the Classroom

1. Ostinato Bean Bags: Teach your ostinato, but in a kinesthetic way. Students toss the bean bag from hand-to-hand in rhythm with their singing.

2. Quick Sort: Looking for a fast way to divide students up for an activity?  If you have a variety of bean bag colors then you can hand out bean bags in a color-coded manner to designate groups/activities.  For example, if you wanted to have a sound ensemble activity, you could designate red=sung sounds, yellow=spoken sounds, orange=whisper sounds etc, and a next step would be holding up a red beanbag to start the sung group’s performances.

3. Bean Bag Engagement: Not that kind of engagement! I like to use props like the bean bags to call on students. It is an incredibly easy way to infuse more mundane tasks with fun.  I also like to have the students use this method to call on each other, which makes your existing activity even more entertaining.

Unique Dance Games Community Recreational Therapy Eldercare 4 Inch Square Bean Bags Children's Ministry

4. Bean Bag SMART Notebooks: There are some great SMART notebooks available that allow students to randomly select a question or challenge by popping a bubble. Rather than walking up and popping it, you can safely have student underhand toss a bean bag at the board. My students love this method!  SMART Notebook exchange has “Candy Rhythms Koosh Ball Game” and Teachers Pay Teachers has several as well.

5. Bean Bag Shakers: If you are a new teacher that doesn’t have many props or an itinerant teacher trying to reduce how much equipment you move, consider using bean bags as a percussion instrument. You can shake or tap it, and the volume is low, so it may be just right if you have students with sound sensitivity.

6. Steady Beat Bags: When students are still learning to find the steady beat, a strategy is to have the student gently tap their chest. Putting a bean bag in that hand makes it more fun, and adds more sensation.

 

Fresh ideas for using bean bags this fall in the music room or choral rehearsal.
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Bean Bag Activities for the Classroom or Choral Rehearsal

7. Treble or Bass Clef Toss: Use masking tape to create a five line staff on the floor and have students toss a bean bag onto the staff. Then they name the note based on which line or space it lands on. Another option would be drawing the staff on poster board or other moveable surfaces to make a portable version if you are an itinerant teacher.

8. Bean Bag Rhythm: A variation on the ostinato bean bag activity above, requiring students that are struggling with a particular rhythm to toss the beanbag to the steady beat. This could be up and down in one hand or hand-to-hand as they say rhythm syllables, chant the lyrics in rhythm, or sing the troublesome section.

Unique Dance Games Rainbow Preschool 4 inch Square Bean Bag Let's Play Music Activity Directors

9. Bean Bag Note Values: I was introduced to this activity with tennis balls, and it works great with bean bags too. Assign each note value a bean bag movement that will take an appropriate amount of time. For example: two eighth notes= fast hand-to-hand toss, quarter note= single hand toss, half note= go around body 1st beat in front of body 2nd beat in back, whole note= same as half but stopping in four points- 1 front, 2 side, 3 back, and 4 other side. Students should verbalize the counts as another pathway to learning. Display the note value students are performing so that they can make the connections between the symbol, the movement and value. Once the students are proficient, I turn on pop music and have the students perform various note values to the beat, continuing to display the note symbols and point to them throughout.

10. Part Throw: If singers are forgetting that they don’t sing in a particular section, play a game! As that section begins, have the forgetful singers toss their beanbag to a chorus member who is supposed to sing that part. It will be so memorable that they will probably not make that mistake again.

11. Projection Toss: This thrilling activity was intended for adults using a football, but I have adapted it here for children using beanbags. If your chorus is not projecting their voices to the back of the rehearsal space, try having them send their sound out with the bean bag by tossing it forward (after you get out of the way!). Alternatively, singers could get into pairs and have them sing a phrase tossing to their partner and then their partner sings a phrase tossing it back.

Here it is… your exclusive open-ended game: The Bullseye of Music!

As I was thinking about ways to use bean bags that would be fun and engaging for our students, I also factored in that we teachers don’t necessarily have much time to craft. So if I was going to create something, I wanted it to be a game that could be used for different units.  The result is a game that can be used throught the year, with any age and the only thing you’ll need to change is the Fact Sheet.

The 12th activity, The Bullseye of Music! :

How it works:

  1. Have two children, or the whole class play.
  2. Child A throws the bean bag at the bullseye.
  3. Child B (the opponent or class representative) announces the color which their bean bag hit.
  4. Child A puts the tip of a pencil into a paper clip in the center of the spinner for that color and flicks it. The paper clip indicates a number.
  5. Child B gives Child A the task or question based on the color and number, and they have a blast performing it!

I didn’t design this for keeping score so there isn’t a plan for that, but you could certainly develop one.  The game is so engaging because the target requires skill and the spinner is pure chance.  I put the arts Integration/extra fun activities in the center, on red, to make them harder to get.

Learning Fun With Bullseye Game and Four Inch Square Bean Bags
Bullseye of Music Game Closeup

How to Make Bullseye of Music Game Pieces:

Materials: Foam poster board, For tracing- a frying pan & small bowl, Poster markers/paint, Pencil, Paper clip, Paper, Sheet protector/clipboard

Steps:

  1. Target– Sketch the biggest possible circle you can on the poster board
  2.  Trace frying pan and small bowl creating the concentric circles of a target
  3.  Color each ring in a different color (I went the traditional route of red yellow and blue)
  4.  Spinner– On the paper, use the small bowl to trace three circles and coordinate the colors to match the circles on the target
  5.  Divide the circles into five sections (or more) and number them
  6.  Fact Sheet– create blue questions or activities of an easy level and number them 1-5 to match the spinner, and repeat for yellow   being medium level and red being difficult/super fun. Zoom in on the image above for an example Fact Sheet.
  7.  Print out Fact Sheet and slip into a sheet protector and plan to give to Child B or the Opponent described above.
  8.  Once the materials are done, grab your Bear Paw Creek bean bags, pencil and a paper clip and start having a fantastic time learning new concepts or reviewing!

Remember, all you have to do from here is create a new Fact Sheet to totally change the game!

Thanks: My appreciation to my music teacher colleagues in Anne Arundel County, MD for being such wonderful teachers and collaborators.

I hope you enjoy your bean bags in the classroom or rehearsal all the more for having some new ideas.

Bear Paw Creek has a great selection of bean bags right here on bearpawcreek.com.

Leah Murthy

Leah Murthy

Leah Murthy is a music educator, performer and military spouse. She is currently a Doctoral candidate in Music Education at Boston University, holds a Master’s in Music Education from The Boston Conservatory, has 15 years experience teaching music and recent contributions to professional journals such as The American Organist and The Chorister. When she is not teaching music in Maryland, or playing with her two little girls, she is in Washington D.C. conducting for The National Children’s Chorus.

The post 12 Ideas to Reimagine Teaching with Beanbags appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Bean Bags and Music with Mar Music Games Activities https://musicandmovementproducts.com/bean-bags-and-music-with-mar-music-games-activities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bean-bags-and-music-with-mar-music-games-activities Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:12:15 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=49194 Bean Bags and Music with Mar Guest post by Maryann Harman of Music with Mar Bean bags are one of the many things in early childhood that are thought of as ‘toys’ and yet they are so much more than that. It’s almost as if […]

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Bean Bags and Music with Mar

Guest post by Maryann Harman of Music with Mar

Bean bags are one of the many things in early childhood that are thought of as ‘toys’ and yet they are so much more than that.

It’s almost as if ‘toy’ is a bad word, like there is no time for toys in early childhood.  We must get ready for school!  Toys are the tools of childhood.  It is with toys that many skills are developed because it is through play we learn how to navigate the world.  Bean bags are fun toys.

Let’s break down the things that are learned when playing with bean bags.

Using Bean Bags Teaches Skills Teacher Tip from Music with Mar Brain Breaks

Playing with Bean Bags and Learning

The first aspect is tactile.  Children are feeling them.  Squishing them.  Poking them. This helps to develop the FINE MOTOR SKILLS of the fingers.  When they push down on the beans in the middlle and they move, that’s SCIENCE!  They are learning displacement. When they toss a bean bag up in the air and it comes down, that’s gravity.  None of these concepts need to be named.  They can just happen while children’s brains get wired for understanding the concept when the time comes.

There are many songs using bean bags.  I, myself, have composed a few.  The combination of music with the bean bag activities intensifies the learning experience.  Music helps the children utilize the bean bags in a constructive way while making it easier to understand.  Because of music, they will retain what they’ve learned a bit longer as well.

The song “I’ve Got a Bean Bag” encourages children to try different motor skills. It’s simple and children can be successful.

I’ve got a bean bag. Yes. I’ve got a bean bag

I throw it up. And, catch it when it comes down

I’ve got a bean bag. Yes. I’ve got a bean bag

I throw it to my friend and catch it when she throws it back

I’ve got a bean bag. Yes. I’ve got a bean bag

Put it on my foot and kick it up. Catch it when it comes down

I’ve got a bean bag. Yes. I’ve got a bean bag

I throw it up and catch it when it comes down.

Music with Mar shares how you can incorporate learning with bean bags.
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Balance and Coordination with Bean Bags

Another fun thing to do with bean bags is walk and balance with one on your head or shoulder. This is important for VESTIBULAR strengthening. By taking the bean bag and placing it on different parts of the body, children are learning body parts – LANGUAGE

Music with Mar Using Four Inch Square Bean Bags With a Song Vocabulary Balance Directions

When using bean bags with children, I encourage them to ‘try what I’m doing’ and ‘show me what you’re doing’.  This allows for you to show them ideas and acknowledges they, too, can think of things to do.  CREATIVE THINKING as well as CONFIDENCE.  I also ask them to share with a friend and trade bean bags.  SOCIAL INTERACTION.

I am teaming up with Bear Paw Creek and we are doing a giveaway for  a set of bean bags and my cd, “Froggy Fitness”.

Win Bean Bags and Music with Mar CD Bear Paw Creek

If you haven’t used bean bags in a while, it is time to revisit them.  If you are using bean bags, YEAH!   Get out those bean bags and have fun.  Bear Paw Creek sells 4″ square and textured bean bags – check them out!

Musicwithmar.com

Find Mar. on Facebook : Maryann Harman Musicwithmar

Follow brain facts on Facebook : Music with Mar., Inc.

Twitter Maryann Harman @musicwithmar

YouTube – Music with Mar

Maryann Harman

Maryann Harman

Maryann “Mar.” Harman is a music educator with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Master’s in Education, with an emphasis in Early Childhood and is certified in Level I Orff. These degrees contribute to her ability to write songs that are musically and educationally sound for children as well as fun and easy to use for teachers and parents. She is the founder of the internationally-enjoyed Music with Mar. Brain Research Based program, Music with Mar. International (Beijing, China) and hosted BAM! Radio Music and Learning Channel. “My passion is tying together the effectiveness of music in overall development with the current research and creating music / music activities to help parents / teachers put it in action.”

The post Bean Bags and Music with Mar Music Games Activities appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Music with Mar Bean Bag Groove Song https://musicandmovementproducts.com/music-with-mar-bean-bag-groove-song-creative-movement-products-childrens-librarians-music-educators/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=music-with-mar-bean-bag-groove-song-creative-movement-products-childrens-librarians-music-educators Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:30:00 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=33695 Music with Mar Bean Bag Groove Song and Activities Check out this great blog post written by Maryann “Mar” Harman, BA Music/MA Education, founder of Music with Mar.  Here she discusses the wonderfully fun and educational bean bag.  An old fashioned toy that keeps on […]

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Music with Mar Bean Bag Groove Song and Activities

Check out this great blog post written by Maryann “Mar” Harman, BA Music/MA Education, founder of Music with Mar.  Here she discusses the wonderfully fun and educational bean bag.  An old fashioned toy that keeps on going!  Includes a code to download her wonderful Bean Bag Groove Song through January 31.

Top Music Movement Game Community Recreation Therapist Four Inch Square Bean Bags Activity Directors

Bean Bags & A Song

Who doesn’t like a bean bag?  Even as an adult, you get one in your hand and you begin squishing it.  They feel so….interesting.

Bean bags are one of the many things in early childhood that are thought of as ‘toys’ and yet they are so much more than that.  It’s almost as if ‘toy’ is a bad word, like there is no time for toys in early childhood.  We must help children get ready for school, not be treating them as if they are already there! (Remember?  It’s called “Preschool”.)  Toys are the tools of childhood.  It is with toys that many skills are developed because it is through play we learn how to navigate the world.  Bean bags are fun toys.  Let’s break down the things that are learned when playing with bean bags.

The first aspect is tactile.  Children are feeling them.  Squishing them.  Poking them. This helps to develop the FINE MOTOR SKILLS of the fingers.  When they push down on the beans in the middlle and they move, that’s SCIENCE!  They are learning displacement. When they toss a bean bag up in the air and it comes down, that’s gravity.  None of these concepts need to be named.  They can just happen while children’s brains get wired for understanding the concept when the time comes.
Click below to finish reading the post and get that free song:
Music with Mar Bean Bag Groove Song Creative Movement Products Children’s Librarians Music Educators

 

VIdeo of the Song

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Music with Mar Bean Bag Groove Song appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Music Education Tool: Bear Paw Creek’s 4″ Square Bean Bags https://musicandmovementproducts.com/4-square-bean-bags-great-music-education-tool-eldercare-music-therapy-early-childhood-education/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-square-bean-bags-great-music-education-tool-eldercare-music-therapy-early-childhood-education https://musicandmovementproducts.com/4-square-bean-bags-great-music-education-tool-eldercare-music-therapy-early-childhood-education/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:30:47 +0000 http://musicalthread.com/blog/?p=29 Music Education Tool: Bear Paw Creek’s 4″ Square Bean Bags Have you ever wondered what thousands of one of the best music education tools, Bean Bags, look like? Well, pictured on the right are 400 of each color, equaling 2,400! We packaged these up into […]

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]]> Music Education Tool: Bear Paw Creek’s 4″ Square Bean Bags

Have you ever wondered what thousands of one of the best music education tools, Bean Bags, look like? Well, pictured on the right are 400 of each color, equaling 2,400!

We packaged these up into 200 sets of 12 Bean Bags, two of each color. Bear Paw Creek’s Bean Bags are made of a soft poplin fabric and filled with high-density polyethylene pellets. They are made in the USA, machine washable, and come with a drawstring storage bag.

My Mom taught me how to sew when I was little, and I remember one of my first hand-sewing projects was to make a bean bag. The difference then was that I filled it with real beans. I never would have thought I would be sewing thousands of bean bags later in life to help provide teachers, parents, and therapists with music education tools. One of my favorite parts about sewing these is getting to work with the beautiful and bright colors.

Keep reading to find out more about this wonderful music education tool!

Bear Paw Creek Bean Bags – Different Colors and Textures!

Our Bean Bags come in primary colors, neutral, and jeweled tones. We also offer textured Bean Bags, which vary in color and offer a great sensory tool. In 2021, we came out with a Nylon Packcloth version of the Bean Bags which can be easily sanitized in between use with a sanitization wipe. They are all available in a 6 or 12-pack.

Bean Bags are great for:

  • Throwing and catching
  • Active play and movement games
  • Color recognition
  • Counting
  • Sensory Processing
  • Group Activities

The Bean Bags and the specific type and/or color are shown below in this order: Primary Color Poly Cloth, Textured (different clothes used to create the texture), Neutral Color Poly Cloth, Jeweled Tone Poly Cloth, Primary Color Nylon Packcloth (sanitizable).

Shop our different Bean Bag options here.

Bean Bag Activity Ideas

If you’re in need of some activity ideas to do with this great music education tool, you can check out this blog post: Your Ultimate Guide To Bean Bag Activities And Games. 

For even more ideas, check out our Pinterest board, Bean Bag Activities and Games. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for activities to do with the rest of our music and movement props as well.

We hope you find our Bean Bags helpful as you incorporate music and movement into the lives of your children, students, and clients. Follow us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram where you can tag us in any photos or videos you share of our products in use. It is truly one of our favorite things to see how you all use our creative music and movement props!

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek’s made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Music Education Tool: Bear Paw Creek’s 4″ Square Bean Bags appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

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