How to Make an I Spy Bag or I Spy Jar

A growing trend in the homemade toy community is the I Spy Bag or I Spy Jar. These toys can be made from recycled materials quickly and easily for free and are great for keeping kids busy. They also make wonderful and affordable gifts. Best of all, anyone can make them and it takes very little talent.

The I Spy game consists of either a see-through "bean bag" or glass jar that is filled ¾ full of dry white rice. Other components can be used instead of rice such as beanbag chair Styrofoam filling. Most crafters choose to use rice as filler. Inside the rice are lots of small objects such as toys, paperclips, thimbles, and other tiny items. Children have to shake the bag or jar to find the different items inside of the rice.

There are lots of different ways to use I Spy games to keep children entertained. Initially, the child will just want to play on his or her own, trying to find all of the items on the list inside the jar. It's a great way to keep children busy and happy on long car rides without having to bring along a lot of toys and coloring books.

If you have more than one child, the I Spy game can be used as a competitive game to keep kids busy. All you have to do is give each of them a game with identical items inside. Kids can play with them themselves or a parent can initiate the game, for example, by saying "who can be first to find the paperclip." Parents can also use it as an educational tool. For example, you could say "who can be first to find an item that starts with the letter 'R'." You could use numbers and colors as well. Kids will spend several minutes at a time turning the jar over and searching through the rice to find the required item.

To make your own I Spy game in a large glass jar, fill the jar ¾ full of white rice. Drop in a couple of handfuls of small items and little toys that can be hunted for and screw on the lid. Some great examples of items to add may include a bean, thimble, paper clip, safety pin, small plastic animal toy, dice, a piece from an old puzzle, plastic army guys, game pieces from old board games, a nail, a screw, a button, marble, corn kernel, a scrabble tile, etc. There are all kinds of things you can add.

Make sure that you write down a list of every item inside the jar so that kids can check off each item as they find it. I punch a hole in the top of the list and tie it around the mouth of the jar. You can also make the jar look nice by gluing a square of fabric down onto the lid of the jar and tying it securely around the mouth of the jar using a piece of string, yarn or ribbon.

You can make the same game from cloth. You will need a square of cloth for the back and a square piece of thick clear plastic for the front. Ziploc freezer bags are sturdy as are pieces of clear plastic shower curtain. Make sure there are no sharp items in your I Spy bag. Lay the two squares together face-to-face and sew around the edges, leaving a small 2 inch hole in one end. Turn the bag inside out, fill ¾ full of white rice and add the toys. Sew the hole closed tightly to keep rice from escaping.

I Spy bags are better for smaller children who may break a glass jar. They are also easier to use because little fingers can feel through the bag for the items rather than just turning it over as is necessary for the jar.

The next time Christmas or a birthday comes around, try making one of these I Spy games yourself. They may be simple handmade toys, but even children who have the best high-tech toys will love having an I Spy game. Parents love them for the way they keep kids amused for hours and anyone can make them. Happy crafting!