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    Home » Sewing Projects

    Elephant Dry Erase I-Spy Bag Tutorial (Video)

    Modified: Jun 6, 2025 · Published: Aug 17, 2020 by Brandy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Project
    This elephant dry erase I-spy bag is so easy to make and keeps kids busy! A simple sewing project that includes a free cutting template!  
    Our I-spy sensory box is another fun activity for kids!

    Watch our step by step video!

    In 2011 I shared a simple tutorial for making a dry-erase I-spy bag. I made two for my boys (who are now 16 and 14 years old1!) and we used them for years and years! It was time to make a new one for Mac, so I updated this post with new photos and a new style.

    elephany i-spy bag next to laminated dry erase key card
    What made our tutorial unique was that it came with a laminated card for kids to mark off the items as they found them. At the time, every homemade I-spy bag came with a list to check off. My boys couldn't read, so a laminated card worked out so much better!
    elephant i-spy bag ont able
    And that little elephant shape? That's new. Just because. You can make this dry erase i-spy bag set in just about any shape you'd like! I created a free pdf template that you can use to make our little elephant. Wouldn't a hippo or pig I-spy bag be cute?
    two felt elephant cut outs with pins, rice, small trinkets and fabric paint
    This is a great scrap felt project. You'll need a bit of felt and clear vinyl. I buy clear vinyl by the yard on Amazon, but you can also use the packaging from a shower curtain.
    You'll also need fillers for your I-spy bag. I found buttons, beads, legos, and other odds and ends. I always use rice for my I-spy bags because it's cheap and I always have it on hand, but it will eventually create a small amount of dust inside the bag. A popular filler nowadays are these clear bean bag filler beads. You can get a bag for about $5.

    How To Add a Pocket To Your I-Spy Bag

    Our old version included a pocket in the back to hold the card and a marker. I skipped that step this time, but you can totally add one if you'e like. Just cut out a 3rd elephant shape, cut it in half (width-wise), and stitch it to the back when you sew the other elephant shapes together.. Print the card to fit the pocket, and slide it inside for storage.

    More Creative Activities For Kids

    Indoor Kinetic Sandbox
    Backyard Bingo
    Dry Erase Daily Bingo Cards for Kids
    Preschool Puzzle Sticks

    Elephant Dry Erase I-Spy Bag Sewing Tutorial

    elephany i-spy bag next to laminated dry erase key card
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Elephant I-Spy Bag Tutorial

    This elephant dry erase I-spy bag is so easy to make and keeps kids busy! A simple sewing project that includes a free cutting template! 
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Active Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Yield: 1 bag
    Author: Brandy Nelson
    Cost: under $5

    Equipment

    • sewing machine
    • pins
    • scissors
    • laminator

    Materials

    • elephant cutting template
    • felt
    • clear vinyl
    • small toys and trinkets
    • rice or clear plastic beads
    • fabric paint
    • laminating sheet or contact paper

    Instructions

    • Cut out 2 elephants from the printable template. Cut a hole in the center of one elephant (using the printable template).
      two felt elephant cut outs with pins, rice, small trinkets and fabric paint
    • Cut a square of clear vinyl to cover the hole on the elephant.
      hand holding piece of clear vinyl
    • Sew the vinyl over the window on the back of the elephant. Stitch close to the edge of the circle.
      Tip: Dip your finger in water and run it over the top of the clear vinyl. Vinyl can stick to the pressure foot on the sewing machineand be tricky to work with, but when it is slightly wet it glides much easier.
      clear vinyl sewn over window opening on i-spy bag
    • Trim off excess vinyl.
      Place the back elephant piece behind the front one and pin into place. Stitch around the outer edge, leaving an opening for adding rice and toys.
      scissors trimming vinyl
    • Stich from the top of the trunk base to the bottom. This will prevent toys and rice from getting stuck in the trunk.
      elephant i-spy bag with stitching across trunk
    • Lay out the toys and trinkets on your work surface. Snap a photo. Print out the photo and laminate it.
      phone taking picture of i-spy toys and trinkets
    • Fill the elephant with a couple spoonfulls of rice and a handful of small toys and trinkets. Pin the opening closed.
      Stitch opening closed.
      i-spy bag filled with rice and toys and pinned closed
    • Add details with fabric paint. Let paint dry.
      hand adding eye details to elephant in fabric paint
    • Tuck dry erase I-spy bag in your purse or in the car to keep little ones busy!
      elephany i-spy bag next to laminated dry erase key card

    Video

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      30 Felt Craft Tutorials (Toys, Gifts and More!)
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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. Faith Pray says

      March 27, 2012 at 1:51 pm

      This is brilliant! The dry erasers are a great solution!

      Reply
    2. Firehousecrafts says

      February 11, 2012 at 4:08 am

      Great tutorial! I think I'm going to make up two of these tomorrow for my boys.

      Reply
    3. Averyl Minori says

      January 29, 2012 at 5:43 am

      Found you on pintrest. Made your dry erase I-Spy Bag this evening. Your directions were amazingly easy! Thanks so much! I plan to make a few more over the next week to take for my son on our trip across country next month! Thank you!!

      Reply
    4. pvcmachine says

      October 10, 2011 at 2:26 am

      Great collection of tutorials. Keep it up...PVC Windows

      Reply
    5. Joan J says

      July 12, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      Just wanted you to know I made one of these yesterday. Your tutorial is excellent and the entire project (minus the time it took me to hunt down the paper for my laminator.. argh!) took about 30 minutes. My husband said my 5 yr old grandson would never play with it because it couldn't compare to a Nintendo DS. He was wrong. My grandson thoroughly enjoyed it. Photos on my blog. Thanks so much!

      http://joanoh2.blogspot.com
      How to be a Housewife

      Reply
    6. Ani says

      July 04, 2011 at 1:12 pm

      That's an awesome idea. I'm looking for great busy activities for a friend who just had her fourth child. I figure a little occupation for her other little ones will be quite helpful. Thanks so much for such a great idea!

      Reply
    7. Joan J says

      July 02, 2011 at 1:44 am

      What a great idea (and tutorial)! Thanks so much for this. My 5 yr old grandson is about to take his first airplane trip, and this is going to be a great present for him to take along. I've been wanting to do an I Spy bag, but thought I needed little white plastic beads. But rice! Who knew?! I'll be making one of these (or two or three) tomorrow.

      Reply
    8. Tanoi says

      June 23, 2011 at 3:14 am

      I just made this and it was so quick and easy! I used regular fabric since the fleece options are limited and only available in solid colors here. It still worked great. I'm going to make these for all of the toddlers for Christmas this year. (Brandy, I'll post a pic on CC for you to look at. *smile*)

      Reply
    9. Marianne says

      May 26, 2011 at 4:28 am

      What a great idea for our trip to Norway this summer. My 2 year old will love this.

      Reply
    10. Emily says

      May 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      I've seen these around but love your version with the pockets and laminating the picture! My 3-year-old will love this for our long car rides this summer!
      [email protected]

      Reply
    11. Rachel Harwood says

      March 04, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      I just LOVE these! Thanks for sharing your tutorial! These are going on the to-do list 🙂

      Love to have you link up to my new link party, For the Kids Fridays!
      http://sunscholars.blogspot.com
      :)rachel

      Reply
    12. Laura Emmons says

      March 02, 2011 at 5:01 am

      Can't wait to make this for my Grandson. Thanks
      Laura
      http://lauraemmons.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    13. Jan says

      February 28, 2011 at 6:04 am

      Hi! I found you on Craft-o-Maniac's blog hop and am now following. You have soooo many projects I'm interested in. The wooden peg matching dolls and the blue iced shower cupcakes immediately caught my eye. I'm looking forward to reading more.
      :)Jan at Jewelry4Change
      http://www.jewelry4change.blogspot.com

      Reply
    14. Jenn says

      February 28, 2011 at 4:51 am

      This is going on my to-do list for sure! Thanks for the great tutorial!

      Reply
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