Easy Hot/Cold Rice Packs
A fun activity to do with others and very customizable. Throw the rice pack in the microwave for a minute or two and then place on achy muscles or throw in the freezer and use as a cold pack. Works as well as ice and with no melting ice to contend with. Add scents for aromatherapy.
BoM
Sewing machine
Needle, thread, scissors, pins
Fabric
Rice
Sides
You can make your rice packs however big or small you like. Make sure you leave 1/4" seam allowance all the way around your shape (squares/rectangles are popular). Pin both sides together, wrong side facing out. You'll turn the pouch inside out after sewing so that the stitches are hidden.
Sew
Sew 2-3 times around your design, enough so that you feel confident rice won't tear the stitches and escape. Leave a 1-2" opening. Secure all the loose threads with knots and glue if you'd like.
Fill
Flip the pouch inside out and fill with rice. I've found that a funnel is very helpful with this.
Close
Pin the opening with the raw edges folded inside. Ladder stitch the opening closed and secure the ends.