Sensory Beanbags. We are offering two variations of sensory beanbags now, our regular Fleece beanbags and new lycra sensory cooling beanbag. The lycra beanbag is not in the shop page and is ordered on request. Please email marihannon@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing a lycra sensory beanbag.
The most popular sensory beanbag fleece sizes are Large and X Large. Large for smaller homes/spaces. XLarge for larger spaces. If space is not an issue XXL and XXXL are suitable. When you think sensory fleece you think silky, cosy, fury, stretchy, warm touch.
New: Lycra sensory cooling beanbags These beanbags have lycra on the inside lining and lycra on the outside cover. It offers a cooling tactile sensation. The stretch is limitless and so the sensory seeking qualities are increased. The Large and XLarge are most popular. When you think lycra you think silky, slipperary, cooling touch.
For active children and adults who really like to stretch the whole body every which way and who like things cool. These beanbags appear bigger than the large and xlarge fleece. This is because of enhanced stretch and the capacity to contain a greater amount of beeds. Price: Large 250 euro. X-Large 285 euro
How do I purchase a beanbag/blanket? Order online at the shop. There are options to pay as a guest with Paypal, Bank Transfer or COD in Cork city area only. You can also email marihannon@gmail.com or call 087 131 9619 to place your order. Currier Delivery. The currier rate is €15 to your door anywhere in Ireland. Delivery arrives the day after its send. You will receive confirmation when your order is shipped. This will contain the information you need should you wish to track your order.
Are all sizes and colours available and how long does it take to deliver from time of order? All colours and sizes are generally available and beanbags. Delivery can take between 5 and 7 business days or less, from time of order. Custom made weighted products can take 10 days or so.
I have a question for you Tania, I am in contact with a parent from Galway. She has a child similar age to your son Mark, 5 years. She is not sure what size of sensory beanbag cooling lycra to get and this question comes up a lot? I know you have an X-Large fleece beanbag, a large lycra beanbag and Xl lycra cover in your home over a year now. Can you let me know which beanbag size and fabric is preferred by Mark? Which one does he use the most or does he like them all at different times? If he had to choose one which one, would it be? Julie
Hi Julie, regarding the beanbags… If we talk about Mark, he still likes the blue stretch lycra cover more than the fleece. He likes the tactile sensations and also that the fabric gives off a cool feeling. He loves to sit on the large lycra beanbag and if he jumps or rolls around, he prefers the X-Large one. Although preferences may be individual for each child, I hope this helps at least a little. Tania
What size do you recommend when choosing a weighted blanket for sleeping?When choosing a weighted blanket we take into account the health, age, weight, muscle tone and deep pressure needs of the child. We generally take 10% of the child’s weight give or take a lb or two Please find information under product information for weighted blankets.
Would a large size beanbag be big enough for my 10 year old boy?
Large is perfectly big enough for your 10 year old boy for relaxing and getting sensory needs met, snuggling into it, being able to get body feedback. Many people prefer this size approx (65cm) in diameter. Physical activities such as crashing, diving or jumping into the beanbag from a trampoline works with this size. Being able to cocoon and sink into the slippery soft texture is reassuring and affirming with this size. This large size came about when some parents and schools had some space limitations and they were looking for a beanbag that didn’t take up too much space and didn’t spread out as much as the x-large. This is closer to a standard beanbag.
What size do you think would be good for a 3 year old? We will not be limited too much by space. It will mostly be used for reading and watching TV but maybe for crashing activities too. I saw the large and it looked fine but would I be able to do more with the X-Large or would it be too big?
This question is something like the difference between a single bed and a double bed – very much dependent on the person and different personal needs and how much space you want this beanbag to occupy in your home. For a 3 year old, both sizes of beanbag (Large 65cm wide 40cm high) and (X-Large 80cm wide 50cm high) will suit.
Large would be perfect for sensory issues and help with gross motor skills as would the x-large. Taking into account that these beanbags do have a lifetime guarantee on them – meaning they do last several years, might be something to take into consideration when choosing.
They both do the same thing, the x- large just offers a little more space in terms of the whole body as your child gets older to stretch sprawl and express. Because there is more material in the x-large when turned on its side the beanbag changes shape and becomes more like a beanbag chair, cocooned with back support. X-large would not be too big, he would just have more freedom and space to do what his body craves as he gets older.
Wondering if the X-Large is suitable for adults or would the XX-Large be better? The X-Large beanbag 80cm in diameter, 50cm high) has been purchased for adult use and is definitely suitable for adults. It offers a soft cosy alternative place to relax and sit. And some people just want a beanbag to sit, read or watch TV. They can stretch into it and it will support them. However for an adult who would like more body feedback, breathing space, have their body be cradled by the beanbag, be able to sink into it more so as the additional material cocoons them XX-Large might be a better fit. XX-Large 95cm in diametre and XXX-Large 110cm in diametre beanbags are very luxurious and ideal for adults and children of all ages. Schools do like purchasing these sizes for sensory rooms. I would say if the space and the budget is available these larger sizes greatly enhance sensory integration for the user.
My little 2-year old has Down Syndrome and his physio has recommended that I buy him one of your bean bags. I noticed that your website talks of sensory as well as therapeutic bean bags. Is there a difference? Can you advise please?
Sensory, related to the sensation of the physical senses , touch, smell,taste, sight and hearing. awareness of stimuli through the senses originating from inside or outside the body. “I have a sense in my body I want to get up and move “I block my ears because the noise in the room is too loud. I am overwhelmed in the busy mall.
Lesser known sense, propioception is the sensory information your getting from your muscles tendons and ligaments. Like when you are walking on the beech barefoot, you are getting lots of information through your feet. As your feet are touching the texture of the sand and water the information from the muscles and tendons are going to your brain and telling you the position of your ankels and knees etc and how you are moving. Its the propioception system thats giving the information.
Therapeutic relating to therapy, having a positive effect on the mind body connection. Helps to heal and restore. Here its relating to the emotions. Sometimes our cup is half full the next moment it could be less so… This is the human condition and life can effect us in different ways. Its appropriate to take time to check in…inside….. perhaps, maybe there has been too much or too little stimulation or there has been a triggor of some kind.
‘Time in’ might be the ultimate healing balm. Honouring and accepting our emotions. Taking time to be in touch with the feelings. For some, if we are not in the mood to eat, be sociable, work etc it may not be appropriate for us to do so. Simply honour our need. Our need to be alone with our creative inner self. Creativity can be really enhanced during these solitary periods. If possible a thoughtful word to those around us when we are not simply in the mood to be sociable will help them not personalize the emotions they are feeling from us. A sensory beanbag can provice the environmental space to help move through such transitions.
For the child or adult going through a transition or just feeling sensitive and wanting their own space, all sizes of sensory beanbags can offer protection and reassurance. The right weighted blanket can also provide support. Complimentary materials working together offering generous wholesome stretches, warm tactile feel of the fleece coat, something to hug, cocoon and hold. All these attributes provide a therapeutic environment, a cosy nest, a place to be with themselves and themselves alone for ‘time in’ instead of ‘time out’.
What are the benefits of a medium beanbag.
Medium beanbag is a little over the 2ft diametre and 16″ high. A little bigger than I used too make it. A super soft squishy seat for adults and children who like being close to the floor. The beauty about this size is it does not take up too much space yet offers hugh amounts of sensory comfort especially if you have just a small place to put it like maybe in front of the fire. Can be used as an alternative to pillows to prop parts of the body that needs support. Its easier for the body to get comfortable when the product has varying degrees of stretch in which the body can mold itself. Very light, user friendly and an easy sensory tool to carry around the house or when travelling.
Are the prices ‘all inclusive’. By that I mean does it include filling and cover or must I buy the cover separately?
Yes, the prices include both the filling and the cover. The beanbag arrives already made up ‘ready to go’.
What colors are available?
As this beanbag will be with the child for his/her developmental years it is recommended choosing a solid colour for nurturing calm as printed fabric can be stimulating for some children, however some printed fleeces are becoming available. You may want to choose a colour you can live with – spring, summer, autumn, and winter and the years ahead. They wash well and can look good several years later.
Cooling Colors:
Royal Blue; like a midnight blue, “hush in the night”
Purple; “healing purple”, calming,
Bottle Green; soothing, “back to nature” blends in.
Mid grey: neutral, blends in.
Tan: neutral, blends in.
Emerald green fields of green
Chocolate brown; grounding, earthy, “Bear hug”.
Warming Colors:
Orange, vibrant, energizing, bright
Red; fire engine, vibrant, luxurious
Wine; burgandy, rich, warm and quite
Cerise Pink; soft and gentle.
What’s the difference between a Sensory Beanbag and the traditional Beanbag?
For several years I had been developing different kinds of sensory products including sensory beanbags for schools and parents with special needs children. During that time I experimented with various inner lining and outer cover fabrics. I soon realised that the sensory or body experience (how something FEELS) was a key factor in the outcome that a child experienced as I experimented with each new design. Not only textile aspects but also the feeling of security, warmth, cold or giving hard, soft, strong or weak sensations derived from the fabric – I also wanted to find out how forgiving the fabric was when it came to’ push and pull’ and what would last the test of time.
A cotton or nylon or vinyl fabric is often used in a beanbag and it works well if it’s something you want to lounge around in and it doesn’t get too much ‘hacking’. Beanbags are sometimes treated like a mini gym space, a sensory seeking space being used for all sorts of physical activity and for sensory experience as well. Crashing and Thrashing, Pulling, Jumping, Rolling Dragging, Falling and dancing on, a weight bearing tool … a place to scratch and have a tantrum … a nest to cuddle up in to feel safe and warm…. all appropriate physical activity for children and the beanbag should be able to accommodate all these activities. Something other than cotton nylon vinyl or leather was needed, something substantial.
The Lining
I experimented with various ‘stretchy’ fabrics for the lining, some lasted over time, some didn’t hold up at all well. Basically, they were unreliable and I could not depend on them. Then it gradually became apparent to me that, if something comfortable and long lasting was needed it would be necessary to source more expensive materials than those used in the general beanbag marketplace. I had to be prepared to pay anything from four times the price to give what I felt was the minimum quality that the users deserved. Get the lining right!
The particular lining that was chosen is a form of ‘stretch lycra’, similar to that used in high-quality dancewear. It has a tightly woven weave and this creates high durability as it resists bursting, ripping even when used by children across the broad range of spectra.
This lycra has a four-way stretch as opposed to a two-way stretch or no stretch, as in some linings like cotton. This stretch creates flexibility, reassurance, give and bounce… a soft landing place when falling on it, and creates effort to get out of (this effort being beneficial for sensory input). A four-way stretch gives a huggable cuddly experience when a child either throws himself into or sinks into it.
I have been making these beanbags with this particular lining for eight years and I haven’t had anybody come back to me because the lining burst or because of any ripping on the beanbag.
The Outer Cover
I use high quality ‘anti-pile’ fleece. This fleece is strong, washes on regular cycle, has a stretch complementing the stretch in lining. It has the added softness in its coat for tactile sensitivity. Both lining and outer cover is double-stitched with commercial thread for added durability and reliability.
Some beanbags can look very worn out after a short number of years. Sensory beanbags have been designed to look well and give good playtime for many years. They are designed so that they can be easily washed and in a manner that allows the filler material to be topped up which is rarely required – ensuring many years of fun for your child.
How do Sensory Beanbags compare with others in the market? The first question is one of apples and oranges. Be sure to compare ‘like with like’. The Sensory Beanbags have been designed for your child, to work hard with him or her year in year out, to ‘take’ the tantrums, or rather break through the tantrums, the exuberance of living and to give a feeling of comfort, safety and companionship as your child develops.♥
Do they hold their fullness or collapse with time like the traditional beanbag?
These beanbags do hold their fullness for a long time. To ensure comfort for the child over the life of the product its recommended to top up as required, once every two or three years or so, although most people do not top up for several years.
Is the cover removable and washable?
Yes, the cover easily removes for washing. It can be washed at 40 degrees. Fleece dries quickly.
How to place the lining bag into the cover?
After washing the cover place the lining bag into the cover so that the zip in the lining sits opposite the zip in the cover. Close the zip on the outer cover fully, so that the zip is fully covered by the flap. Reassembly in this manner ensures that the beans cannot spill or be interfered with as they are harmful if ingested.
Where can beads be purchased?
Beads can usually be purchased locally in a fabric or upholstery store. A half bag is usually sufficient to top up and then that would last several years. If your unable to source locally please contact.
How do you refill the beads?
With a little patience!! For safety reasons its best to do this task when there are no children about as beans inevitably spill and can get everywhere… Open zip of inner lining and open plastic bag of beads. Gently place the plastic bag through the lining opening, wrapping opening around the plastic bag allowing gradual flow of beans. Close zip securely and be sure to hoover up any beans that may have fallen on the floor, under sofa etc..
I was wondering if there is a way you can wash the inner lining?
The whole beanbag as one unit is washable including beads and lining. In the rare event you want to washing the inner lining its best to place it inside the beanbag cover. This way the lining is protected as it is stretchy and flimsy material. In an industrial washing machine its possible to wash the whole beanbag as one piece. In a domestic machine you can also wash beanbag as one piece but you will want to take out some of the beads so it fits into your machine.
The whole beanbag including beads can then be dried in a regular dryer. Wash on gentle cycle with small amount of mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener. Line dry or machine dry on short cycle, checking beanbag every 10 minutes as it dries very quickly.