Shape Stretchies were some of my favorite things to play with at my sister’s house growing up. She was a modern dance teacher and always fun ideas to promote creative movement for kids. She introduced my kids to the “stretchies” recently and they also fell in love.
That’s when I realized what a fun gift a set of “Stretchies” could be.
Bag: Made from an old pair of jeans
Stretchies: 4″ X 90″ swimsuit lycra sewn in a circle (measurements depend on fabirc stretchiness)
Activity Cards: to get the creative juices flowing–download HERE
Looking for more DIY projects to promote creative movement for kids?
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This is genius!! I am totally using this fugly cotton jersey I bought to make these for my kiddies. This will occupy them for hours!
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What a fun idea…My kids’ll love these! Your sister is a genius.
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what a great idea! I’m so doing this for my girls!
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I’m making them for the whole family….boys and mom included
It reminds me of the human sling shot. We made one for a family reunion a few years ago….only resulted in a few bruises
http://www.thehumanslingshot.com/
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nkr Reply:
March 3rd, 2011 at 7:20 am
“resulted in only a few bruises”….but a lifetime of memories!
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I LOVE this idea. I’m a music teacher and have made large scrunchies (long fabric tube with elastic in the middle) that I use with class music activities. I’ve also used the lycra in strips for music activities. Now I can’t wait to try the lycra stretchies for individual music activities. I’m going to write a blog about these on my blog!
http://musicfortots.blogspot.com/
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Love this idea! Can you share where the swimsuit lycra was purchased?
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Suze Reply:
November 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Nevermind – found it at my local Hancock Fabrics. Who knew?
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This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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November 4th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I got mine at the local Joanns. In the summer, they have more color choices, but they usually have something. Good luck!
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Natalie Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 8:17 am
I’m wondering if you found 90″ wide fabric at Joann’s or if you added 30″ to the 60″ fabric you got? I’m not able to find 90″ width fabric.
Thanks!
Natalie <
This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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August 14th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Good question Natalie. I cut two 45″ pieces from the 60″ fabric and sewed them together in a circle.
I absolutely love this!
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Is there a place to get the cards where you don’t have to pay a membership fee?
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this is carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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July 21st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Yes! I will upload them now and create a new link. Stupid scribd changed their deal on me for downloads. Slowly trying to move all my pdf’s over to be self-hosted on the site. Give me a few minutes.
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id love the printables as well
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i would like the printables as well
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This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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August 14th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
If you click on the link at the end of the post, you will be able to download the printable pdf for the game cards directly from my site.
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Did you seam the pieces all the way around (making a tube) or just the ends together leaving the long sides unfinished?
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So I have checked with Joanns and Hobby Lobby and Michaels for this material and none have it in stock. Is there a different similar material that might work that you know of or do you know some other place to get it? I want to make these for Christmas. Love this idea!!
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this is carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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October 6th, 2011 at 8:23 am
You can order it online from joanns. Right now it’s 40% off!
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Hi I’m curious about making these and I’m wondering if the height of the child matters in the length of the stretchie?
Thoughts?
Thanks
Shelly
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This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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December 9th, 2011 at 9:22 am
The height does matter…a little bit. The swimsuit lycra is usually so stretchy, that it will fit a wide range of kids. If you are making them for particularly young/small children, you might want to take some inches off the measurement because you don’t want them loose and saggy. I believe my kids are 4 and 7 in the photo. Good luck!
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I *adore* this idea! Thank you!
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Love this! These were my favourite when I was a kid! We used to have them in gym class!!
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do you have instructions for making the jean bag?
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This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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April 10th, 2012 at 8:05 am
I don’t, sorry!. I just made it up as I went along.
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Twitter: thespeechpatiogmail.com
September 13, 2012 at 10:19 am
Thank you ever so much. You are a GREAT blessing to those like me who are absolutely clueless when it comes to ART! Phew! You are God sent because you make my day!. Keep ‘em comin’.
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Hi! I just found this in the nick-of-time – I’m doing our preschool co-op at my house this week with the theme “exercise.” I’m pretty sure my girls and her friends are going to love it, too!
I was wondering if you made it in to a tube, or just a simple circle?
Thanks!
emily
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Hi, I want to know if I want to order the stretchies. How can I do it? I am not able to located information on it.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
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This is Carrie
Twitter: thisiscarrie
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December 4th, 2012 at 8:49 am
I don’t make the stretchies to sell. I just provide the tutorial!
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