Bean Bag Balance With A Twist
by
Elizabeth O’Hara 
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Bean bags are quite universal and versatile. People purchase bean bag chairs to sit and lie on due to their lightweight and comfort; a popular dorm room favorite. Bean bags are also used to play a popular game called Cornhole. It’s played with two or four players attempting to toss bean bags into the hole on a cornhole board, each one at the opposite end of the playing area to score points.
Where Did the Bean Bag Originate? Bean bags were first used in recreational activities around 2000 BCE. In China, Tai Chi practitioners used similar small bags by trying to keep them up in the air with their bodies. Many college students play hacky sack as a social pastime game. It is also a great way to improve soccer-related skills.
Native Americans also found ways to incorporate these tiny bean bags into their group games. They filled animal bladders with dried beans or corn and played a game similar to today’s popular backyard game, bean bag toss.
Bean bags are at the height of their popularity with young children. They can be used to improve posture, the ability to catch, throw, and kick, body awareness, and confidence. The activities below touch upon all these skills.
Items Needed:
One bean bag per player
How to Make Bean Bags
The link below will guide you to step-by-step instructions on how to make your own bean bags at home.
Description of the Activity
To play this game, make sure to use both the right and left sides of the body during each skill. While balancing the bean bag, take time with the movements. These activities will also enhance one’s body image and awareness, muscular strength and balance.
- Place the bean bag on your head and perform the following movements:
- walk around with good posture (tuck chin back, shoulders aligned over the ears, tuck tummy in).
- Can you balance on one foot with the bean bag on your head?
- Elevator down and up – lower the body to the floor and touch the floor with BOTH hands while the bean bag remains on the head. Come back up.
- Place the bean bag on the shoulder and spin around clockwise and then counterclockwise.
- Place the bean bag on the elbow and walk backwards making sure to look over your shoulder.
- Place the bean bag on one foot and lift the leg up.
- Can you kick your leg up and catch the bean bag?
- Place the bean bag on your back and walk like an elephant.
- Place the bean bag on your belly and move like a crab.
Modifications:
- Add music while performing the activities.
- Use two bean bags at a time
- Have a race with your friends by moving from one side of the playing area to the other without letting the bean bag fall off.
Adaptations:
If you use a mobility device and you are participating with others:
- Place the bean bag on your head and wheel around the playing area (tuck chin back, shoulders aligned over the ears, tuck tummy in).
- Can you lift one foot either by itself or with the help of your hands while balancing the bean bag on your head?
- Reach down to touch your toes without letting the bean bag fall off.
- Place the bean bag on the shoulder and spin your chair around
- Place the bean bag on the elbow and wheel backwards
- Place the bean bag on one foot and lift the leg up.
- Bend forward and place the bean bag on your back while wheeling forward.
- Place the bean bag on your belly or lap, place your hands on the armrest and lift your body several inches off the wheelchair? Hold that position for 10 – 15 seconds.
About the Author
Elizabeth O’Hara, a Gymsters franchise owner for 30+ years, is also an Adapted Physical Education teacher and Walnut Grove Board member. She pioneered fitness programs for special needs individuals, reaching over 60 schools. Resides in Boardman, Ohio, with her husband, three children, and five grandchildren. www.gymstersneohio.com
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This post originally appeared on our September/October 2024 Magazine
