Works for Me Wednesday: Make your own Boo Boo Packs

If you have kids, you know they get hurt….often!  I don’t know why that is.  For some reason they try to disprove gravity, head on, several times a day.  Sometimes they win, and some times gravity wins. 🙂  When kids get hurt they need hugs, kisses, a band aid, and sometimes an ice pack.  I just hate giving my kids a frozen bag of ice.  It ends up all over the place, it is hard, and…it just isn’t comforting.

So, I make my own Boo Boo Packs!  In my house they have a gazillion uses!  We keep them in the freezer and use them for bumps and bruises.  You can heat them in the microwave for aches and pains.  They work great for tummy aches.  We have even warmed them in the microwave for hand warmers in the winter.  I have made big ones that I heat for tummy aches. They are even good for Mommy backaches, from carrying kids.  😉

These are amazing for babies!  I make them and add them to my shower baskets all the time.  Babies like to have their bellies warm.  It helps them sleep.  Just heat it gently in the microwave and it is perfect.  Of course, when babies start moving they get bumps, but the best use I have found came from my youngest.  Since these are filled with rice they are non-toxic.  When she was teething.  She just chewed on them right out of the freezer.  Now, after a few slobbery chews I would toss them, and make some more.  They were a life saver!

I have seen similar things sold at the mall for ungodly prices.  I am not the best seamstress in the world, but I can sew a straight line.  If you can sew a straight line, you are in business.  Here is how I make my Boo Boo Packs.

First I buy whatever fabric is cheapest.  I look in the remnant bin because you don’t need a lot.  You could also buy a yard of themed fabric to make your kids happy.  Nothing gets a smile like looking at Buzz lightyear after you’ve been hit on the head. 😉

Cut 2 pieces the same size. I make about a 4 x 4 square for my regular ones.  Like I said, you can make them whatever size you want.

Now, you are gonna put the print sides together.

Now, just sew a basic stitch around 3 of the sides, on the fourth side only sew it half way.  We need an opening to flip and fill.

My sewing machine has been in the closet so long that I had to oil and dust it.  It was really sad!  I need to sew more I guess.

Now once you have sewed it turn it right side out.  You want the print to be on the outside, and all those rough edges will magically disappear to the inside. 🙂

Now comes time to fill.  I just fill mine with plain ole’ rice.  I did get fancy and bought dried lavender off of ebay ages ago.  When it came It was more than I could have ever imagined.  It has come in handy to make sachets for drawers, and gifts.  I add about a tsp to each boo boo pack.  The scent helps calm the kids, and babies!

Don’t fill the Boo Boo Pack too full!  I have found that if you fill them about half way, this works perfectly.  You want the bag to fit around the injured area.  If you fill them too full they are hard, and difficult to sew shut.

Once they are full just run a quick stitch across the opening and voila!  They are done!  I store mine in the freezer until they are needed.

You can see I made a few this evening.  I am going to make a few more while the sewing machine is out.  If you want these warm I recommend heating in the microwave for about 30 seconds.  Feel, and if you need it warmer you can go another 30, but usually 30 seconds does the trick!

Enjoy your new Boo Boo Packs!

I have more craft projects on the way! You can see my past Crafts here!