Different Types of Bean Bags for a Child's Play Area

Shape

• The most common bean bag shape available is the sack shape, which is circular. Sack-shaped bean bags appear in the form of traditional bean bag chairs as well as bean bag toys, which are otherwise known as foot-bags or Hacky Sacks. All can be a welcome addition to a playroom. Sack-shaped bean bag chairs were popular throughout the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. They returned to popular use in the 1990s and have stayed readily available since that time. The classic sack shape is durable and simple to return to its original form.

  Teardrop-shaped bean bag chairs are popular for their comfort. They add extra back support that is not available with the classic sack-shaped chair.

  Cylinder-shaped bean bags can be used as pillows in a child's playroom.

  Novelty bean bag shapes are readily available from bean bag manufacturers. Bean bags shapes in the form of animals, footballs or cartoon characters can help customize the decor of a child's play area.

Fabric

• The color of bean bags affects how well they work decoration-wise in a playroom. Bright and vibrant colors and patterns are best in a child's play area.

  Fabric texture is another consideration. Some bean bags have a slick, plasticlike cover, and others have a soft plush or cotton cover.

  A final fabric consideration is synthetic vs. organic. While bean bag covers are traditionally made of synthetic materials, a number of manufacturers offer organic options, such as organic cotton covers.

Filling

• One consideration when choosing a bean bag is its type of filling. The most common bean bag filling is polystyrene beads, which are small, foam beads made from a polymer plastic. A similar filling uses polyvinyl chloride pellets made from a vinyl thermoplastic polymer. Some bean bag chairs are filled with shredded polyurethane foam, a Styrofoam that often is used to fill couches and chairs.

  Some manufacturers offer eco-friendly fillings. They can range from reused synthetic beads to organic materials such as dried beans.

  The size of beads or pellets used to fill bean bag chairs can range significantly. The most common bead size is from 1 to 9mm in diameter.

Refilling

• Most bean bags require a refill over time. With use, bean bag filling compresses, and additional filling needs to be added. Consider the availability of fillings that might be needed for refills when selecting bean bags for a child's play area.