A Colchester charity is set to purchase bean bag chairs in support of its work in helping young people to become more independent.

Essex-based newspaper the Daily Gazette reports that Catch 22 has been given a £2,651 grant from the Gannett Foundation to create an area at their East Hill facility where struggling and disadvantaged youngsters in the region can develop life skills.

And it appears bean bags will play a role in this, as the organisation is to invest in such comfortable seating, as well as kitchen equipment, an oven, garden benches and a tumble dryer.

"The money will really help us to create an area where the young people who come here can be encouraged to get more independence," administration manager Teresa Harmon tells the publication.

Meanwhile, a recent CantonRep.com article reported teachers at the Belden Elementary School in Ohio have a bean bag chair placed in each classroom, so that unruly pupils can let off steam in a safe, constructive manner.

Homeowners looking to liven up their interiors this winter may want to opt for animal print bean bags and cushions.

According to Emma Love of the Daily Mail, the trend for these products "has walked straight from the catwalk into our living rooms".

Sales figures from various retailers suggest that animal print cushions and bean bags are flying off the shelves at the moment as consumers look to kit out their home in true designer style.

"Whether leopard or zebra prints, sheep or cowhide, it seems that all things animal are in," Ms Love says.

She recommends using animal print products as an accent in a specific room – making cushions, upholstery and throws featuring these designs particularly ideal.

Homeowners looking to use animal print in the home were recently advised by Oneindia Living to choose colours for their rooms that help to enhance the patterns.

For example, shades associated with jungle trees could go well with tiger print home accessories.

Misbehaving pupils at one school in the US have the opportunity to let out any stress they are under safely by sitting on a bean bag chair.

By doing so, CantonRep.com reports, teachers at the Belden Elementary School in Ohio believe children can manage their anger in a safer, more constructive manner.

Where once they may have been sent to the principal's office, unruly students will go their classroom's "safe place". And with such an area containing bean bags and stress balls, they may soon find that they are able to calm down and focus on learning once more.

"Positive experiences can allow us to 'rewire' the brain. And, when we do that, cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties in school are reduced and our school is better as a result," principal Mallory Floyd tells the publication.

But this is not the first school to contain bean bags. A recent Daily Journal article reported that the library at the John C Milanesi School in Buena, New Jersey was given a makeover, with the study area now featuring a number of new bean bag chairs. 

A sports cafe in India has been praised by one writer for containing comfortable bean bag chairs.

In an article for The Hindu, Krishna Kumar reports that Chennai-based eatery High on Caffeine "has become a popular hangout for college students as well as the working professionals of the IT corridor".

And it seems that bean bags play a key role in this, as the writer notes that "once you sink into them you'll not feel like getting up".

While sitting on bean bag chairs, people will be able to sample an all-vegetarian menu offering dishes including pizza, pasta and fries.

The cafe, which is located on LB Road, also includes a gaming area where customers can play on a Nintendo Wii or PlayStation 3 or have a game of pool.

But High on Caffeine is not the only cafe to contain bean bag chairs. A recent Payson Roundup article reported that Uptown Espresso – which is based in Payson, Arizona – contains a number of bean bags and eggplant sofas for customers to sit on. 

The numerous benefits that are offered with children's bean bag chairs have been highlighted by one writer.

In a post on the Floral Day Spa blog, Franky Little points out that bean bags are ideal for young people who often have friends coming round to stay.

"They could spend time talking while lounging on large bean bag chairs," the writer stated.

And as bean bag chairs are relatively small in size, such seating can help people to save space in the home.

The writer goes on to note the aesthetic appeal of bean bag chairs, claiming that they can be set up "in a cute way to make a room look more interesting".

Such comments follow a Daily Republican article published earlier this month, which reported that bean bag chairs can help to give a fun look to a child's bedroom and could be teamed with "edgy desk lamps with built-in organisers".

Members of a Croydon youth club are celebrating after a local supermarket donated several items to them, including bean bag chairs.

The Croydon Guardian reports that Sainsbury's on Purley Way has provided young people at Purley Youth Project with a number of items, as it is the chain's charity of the year.

David Garfield, organiser at the club, told the newspaper that it is a delight to receive bean bags and other things which will make a big difference to the kids who attend the club.

"They sent two large bags for sports equipment, bats, all kinds of balls, skipping ropes, bean bags, hockey sticks, cooking equipment and lots of other equipment for the children to enjoy," he stated.

Kids at a youth centre in Florida have also benefited from bean bags recently.

According to the Northwest News and Tribune, the recently opened Whitzend kidZone boasts bean bag chairs for children to relax on while playing computer games.
 

Camp Long, a camp for at-risk children, has adopted a less formal education process than many teenagers are used to, with bean bag chairs replacing the traditional classroom furniture.

According to a report from News 12, two of the cabins the kids are taught in were recently destroyed by fire, while two of the horses were taken from the site.

Despite the traumatic events, the children are persevering with their learning, which is made easier and more comfortable by the presence of bean bags.

Cheryl Cummings, a counsellor at the camp, told the news provider that while bean bags may not be the most conventional classroom furniture, they are in keeping with the more relaxed approach adopted by the organisation.

"A lot of times these kids fail at just trying to learn with [a] pencil and paper and reading on the chalkboard. You actually have to allow them to do some hands-on learning," she added.

According to Ultimate Bellaire, a teacher at Pin Oak Middle School is hoping to raise $802.11 (£505) in order to buy bean bag chairs for her students.
 

An exhibition about children's favourite Curious George is currently running in the US and the organisers have provided bean bag chairs to allow youngsters to relax and read some of the monkey's adventures.

The Contra Costa Times reports that Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H A Rey is being held at the Jewish Museum in San Francisco and the curators have moved to ensure kids are comfortable while learning about the character.

There will be several watercolour paintings for young ones to enjoy along with numerous other illustrations from Rey.

And when the time comes for some reading, the children can relax on comfy bean bags and go on an adventure.

"They can … hang out on bean bags and chairs in a special children's area and thumb through a selection of Curious George books," the newspaper added.

Writing in the Ottawa Citizen recently, Paula McCooey highlighted how comfortable and versatile bean bags are as items of furniture.
 

Families who go on long-haul holidays to Mexico will find plenty to keep the kids occupied if they stay at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, where there is a kids area complete with bean bag chairs.

The resort boasts numerous sections to accommodate people on all budgets, with Master Suites, Ambassador Suites and Grand Class Suites all available.

And mums and dads who want to spend some of their break relaxing and escaping the strains of everyday life can do so, as the Kids' Club is packed full of things for children to enjoy.

"Lottery, bingo games and video game tournaments are also organised in the two spacious kids' rooms in the Ambassador and Master ambiences, complete with bean bags, interactive screens and a large plasma screen," the company added.

Stephanie Foster, writing for Ezinemark.com, said recently that bean bag chairs are the perfect items of furniture for children.

A teacher in the US has launched a fundraiser in a bid to collect enough money to buy bean bag chairs for her pupils.

According to Ultimate Bellaire, the teacher – who is not named – has set up a campaign through a website which allows people to directly contribute to teachers' projects in schools across the US.

She hopes to generate enough funds to afford bean bags for pupils at Pin Oak Middle School in Bellaire, with the hope being that the bean bag chairs will help them engage in reading more willingly.

At the moment, her children have to make do with uncomfortable desks which do not make for an effective learning environment.

The teacher is aiming to raise enough money to purchase 12 bean bag chairs, which will cost $802.11 (£505).

A school in New Jersey recently introduced bean bags to its newly refurbished library in the hope that they would make children more enthusiastic about reading.

The Daily Journal reported that the John C Milanesi School also spent money on new shelves and a large carpet.