Now that the kids are occupied in school and the weather is cooling down it’s a great time to consider making a fun, interactive quilt for the long winter months or as a Christmas gift.

The first type is the old standby, an I Spy quilt. I actually made an I Spy as one of my first quilts after I got my long arm. I kept it at my house for the grandkids to play with when they were with me and that worked well until the youngest, who had a will of IRON!

One day he wanted to take it home and it just seemed better to let it go. I never saw it again. I don’t even have a picture, darn it. But it served it’s purpose while I needed it and I hope some other child loves it as much as my grandkids did. I even put a panel with a cityscape on the back so it also worked as a car play mat.

There are lots of ways to create an I Spy quilt. The “hardest” part is gathering a big quantity of interesting pictures of different items to Spy. When I made mine I worked with some friends to buy fat quarters which we cut into fourths and each of us used the pieces. It saved a lot of money to share the cost that way. We also bought coordinating fabric for the corners and made snowballs, sharing those as well.

The pattern for the I Spy quilt has paper pieced motifs for the items to look for in the design. You could also get a panel with different pictures that can be used.

Alphabet quilts can be another way to engage your little ones. Here are a couple of ideas:

Similar to quiet books, Interactive quilts can be a great way to encourage babies with vital tummy time and also keeping older kids entertained.

Activities, textures, manual skills are all things that can be included to give visual and tactile interest.

Interactive quilts can also be made in lap sizes for older family members who may need something to keep them busy or to ease anxiety during long hours sitting. There are tons of great ideas that can be personalized to individual interests.

Car and City mats can be fun for kids to play together on the floor. There are printed panels or designs that can be individualized for your own neighborhood. My mother made a mat that had a space for the large Hot Wheels Car Wash that my brother loved. It was used by him and all three of my Hot Wheels fans, too.

Here’s one more that is featured on the blog MAKING THINGS
IS AWESOME. It’s a fun combination of I Spy, Interactive and Play quilt.

Have some fun thinking of ways to encourage others in your family to have fun! Even if it’s quilts like these:

Until next time...  Keep Quilting!

— Queen Bee

1. Incorporate Textures: Use a variety of fabrics with different textures (like minky, corduroy, cotton, or fleece) to create tactile interest. Kids love exploring different feels, and adding textures can make the quilt more engaging.

2. Add Movable Parts: Create elements like flaps, pockets, or zippers that kids can open, close, or hide things in. These interactive features encourage curiosity and fine motor skill development.

3. Incorporate Learning Elements: Add numbers, letters, shapes, or animals to make the quilt educational. You could sew on felt numbers or create appliqués that teach colors, counting, or shapes in a playful way.

4. Make It Durable and Safe: Kids' quilts need to withstand lots of use. Use strong, durable fabrics and reinforce seams and edges. Ensure any interactive features, like buttons or zippers, are securely attached to avoid choking hazards.

5. Think of Themed Scenes: Create themed play quilts, like a farm scene, cityscape, or a garden. You can include interactive pieces like removable animals, cars, or flowers to stimulate imaginative play.

These tips will help you create an interactive play quilt that’s fun, educational, and safe for kids to enjoy!

Featured YouTube Video

I Spy Quilt Tutorial

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