First off, to say that this is an easy tutorial would be the understatement of the year. However, I felt like it was a necessary tutorial to write because sometimes you just need to run across a simple idea and think ‘hello??? Why haven’t I done this already?!’
So let’s talk about why these are a good idea, shall we? So, my girls constantly have some sort of pain somewhere in their little bodies (don’t they all?!). Their main gripe is leg pain at night. So, for years my husband and I have given them some sort of pain relieve medicine because we know they won’t give up until something is done about their pain.
I have been on a never ending quest for the past 2 years to make my family healthier. We eat clean most of the time, we exercise, we use essential oils, we use homemade house cleaners. So I knew the dependence on pain relive meds needed to go! Because let’s be honest here, they didn’t really need medication. They were just wanting me to do something to comfort them. Enter: the boo boo bag! I made several of these in different shapes, fabrics and appliques and now when they have a pain, they know they get to pick out which boo boo bag they want and I’ll heat it up for them. Instant comfort! Since we introduced boo boo bags in our home, we haven’t given them ANY pain meds! They haven’t needed it.
If you have 10 minutes, scrap fabric, and some rice, then you will have yourself your very own boo boo bag.
You can size them as big or small as you would like. The one I’ll be showing you how to make is about an 7″X5″ size.
Start off with 2 pieces of fabric – cut to 8″X6″
The applique I will be showing you is a sun (feel free to get creative here). I used the top of a mason jar for my sun. Trace around with a pen and cut out of felt.
Sew the circle felt to one of your fabric pieces.
Next, grab a needle and some thread or embroidery floss. I used 3 strands of embroidery floss.
Using a straight stitch, start stitching some straight lines to create the look of sunbeams. I used a embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut but it could be done without one.
Just looking at this makes me feel happy!!
Here’s your two pieces….
Pin your fabric pieces, right sides together.
Sew all the way around your fabric pieces, leaving about a 2″ gap so you can turn your bag right side out.
Grab a funnel and some rice. You will want to fill your bag with rice about 2/3 full.
Now you will want to sew your bag closed. You can do this with a whip stitch or simply run it through your sewing machine. If rice is getting in your way when you’re sewing it up then your bag is too full!
Annnndd, it’s done! Easy peasy!!
And just as a warning….as soon as your kids know what these bags are, they will immediately have a boo boo, or 5!
To heat them, simply place in the microwave for a minute or two. Make sure it’s not too hot before placing it on your child. They are more sensitive to heat than us big girls. 😉
And have fun creating different bags – use fun colors, words, images, fabrics. It’s the same concept as getting to pick out your own bandaid. Kids love this sort of thing. I feel like I have this parenting thing figured out now. Well, at least I have boo boos figured out!
Christina H says
I love this idea. Do you think the rice would work well if frozen?
My little one is 2 and seems to fall or bump constantly. I had a freeze frog, but he broke and I can’t find another one. This would be perfect!
Lisa says
Yes, these rice bags can be put in the freezer. I’ve made quite a few. I have some that are always in the freezer and others that are left out, for warming in the microwave. Love them!
I often use flannel, just for the softness. 🙂
Lori says
I made a slew of these as Christmas gifts for my kids’ PK class! So handy! We only put ours in the microwave for 20-30 secs. If we hear them. Christina, we mostly use ours cold and keep them in the freezer always. They work perfectly.
Lori says
If we heat them, not if we hear them!
Cindy says
Are these reusable or can they only be heated once?
April says
These can be used over and over again. My hiubby and I got one as a wedding gift almost 13 years ago and still use it!
Jan says
I make these for my husband and I and we LOVE them. We add essential oils to the rice (I like lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus = one scent per bag) and get the benefits of some aromatherapy along with the heat!
Alison says
These are darling. Thanks for showing how you did the sunshine stitch. Love that detail!!
Brandi says
What a fabulous tutorial! My cousin made some of these for me years ago for a baby shower, and they may have been the thing that got me through the first week of nursing. I was just describing the idea to a new mommy friend this evening, and yours popped up in my Pinterest feed. I immediately passed it on to her. Love the adorable applique touch!
Karna R says
Last year I made a bed warmer for my girl friend who just had a baby. Rather than rice, I used whole wheat kernels and added lavender to the mix. I never thought of making boo boo bags for my kids! These are wonderful, but I might use your idea to make covers. Thanks fir getting me excited about another sewing project for my kids!
Tania says
We have used these for years and they are the BEST for achy muscles, cramps, boo boo’s, warming up a cold bed in winter or just needing a little comfort! I also add lavender oil to ours which makes them more soothing and we use flannel for the one’s we heat and cotton for the one’s we freeze. We call the warm one’s “warm socks”. A “Warm sock” can fix almost any complaint in our house!
Dawn says
Do you use minute rice or regular? TY !
Cindy K says
Use regular rice or dried corn. I have been making these for years and sell them at craft shows. I make them for achy necks. I sell a lot to adults.. Smaller squares in kiddie fabric for kids booboos.
Marie M says
What a brilliant idea and a great way to use up those scraps! Thanks for the “why didn’t I think of that’ idea!
catherine says
The leg pains are the exact reason why I made my kids “warm bags” a few years ago! My son is now 8 1/2 and rarely has them anymore, but my 5 1/2 year old daughter still gets them regularly. I have little doubt that my 2 year old will experience them as well. I made removable covers for mine, but your ideas are just so cute I may have to make more!
earthmama says
how to heat if you dont have a microwave?
MissMae says
… Why didn’t I Think of that!! I have been looking for heat bags at my local cheap shops and they are always so ugly it never even crossed my mind to make my own (I suppose I didnt really know what to put inside). I am so excited about this and I’m sure my little girl will love it too 🙂
Tammy says
I found your post while searching pinterest for something else. After seeing the adorable pic of your daughter I just had to reply.. It sure brought a smile. It reminded me of my DGD who happens to be a bit of a hypochondriac,lol. have made these bags before and in different sizes since I have fibromylagia, so they are great for adults too. I just never thought of decorating them. Soo cute. great post.
Tammy
Becky Jorgensen says
hi! I love these boo boo bags!!!!! I think this will work for kids! I featured it in my own blog: http://www.plushiepatterns.com/boo-boos-gone-create-boo-boo-bags/ thank you!!! 🙂
Teja says
Hi, does anyone has problems with moist when heating in microwave? I made one with rice (and smells of cooked rice when heated) and one with flax seeds, but both get moist on (at least) one side of the fabric and therefore they’re not quite useful to use over the clothes, because they become damp. 🙁
EmmaLee says
Are you alternating between freezer and microwave? Maybe that’s the problem??
Tina L Wright says
Can these be washed at all???