Expert: MaryAnn F. Kohl - 2/2/2009

Question
Hi, I don't know if this is in your area of expertise but please help me. My brother's birthday is this month and I want to make a beanbag for him because he loves them. My question is about the bean bag filling. I found out that i have to fill it with hard polystyrene beads, but I can't find a place that sells them. So, can I use the soft polystyrene balls that come with TV boxes, game boxes, etc? If not, what can I use as a filling other than beans and rice?

Thanks a million!!

Answer
A beanbag has to be heavy enough to toss and  have some "heft"....so beans and rice are excellent and inexpensive, hence, the name "BEAN" bag. Dried peas and lentils work too. So does a variety of small pasta that look like beans or peas. But if you can't use these for some reason, I guess the polystyrene beads are the filler of choice, as far as I know. I'm not really into any kind of crafting, so I don't know all the ins and outs. I'm sure Michael's or Joanne's Fabric would have what you need. Another name for them is Micro Beads.

I found that Michael's has Poly-Pellets®, which are just what you are looking for.

Ebay has them in bags of various weights.
http://shop.ebay.com/items/poly%20pellets?_dmd=1&_cpr=249

This eBay listing seems good:
http://cgi.ebay.com/QUaLiTY-PLaSTiC-PoLY-PeLLeTS-to-Weight-Reborn-Dolls_W0QQitem...

This company, Create for Less, has them too:
http://www.createforless.com/Fairfield+Poly-Pellets+Polypropylene+Stuffing+2+lb/...

I think if you can go to Michaels or JoAnn Fabric, or any other craft store, and ask for "Poly-Pellets" or "Micro Beads" for stuffing toys, you will find what you need.

Hope that helps!!
MaryAnn Kohl
www.brightring.com