Looking for a fun and functional way to help your little one manage aches and pains? Or maybe just a way to help soothe them at night – something warm to snuggle up too? This adorable DIY Monster Hot Pack is the perfect solution! It combines the soothing power of heat therapy with a playful monster design that will cuddle away discomfort. Plus, if you place it in the freezer, it can double as a cold pack!
Supplies:
- Scraps of Fabric (fleece, flannel, felt recommended)
- Sewing Machine
- Rice
- Fabric scraps for monster features (felt works great!)
Unleash Your Inner Monster
This project is all about having fun, so grab your fabric scraps and unleash your creativity! Here’s a general guide:
Fabric Options: Fleece is a great choice for a Monster Hot Pack because it provides a comfortable moist heat.
Cut out two monster-shaped pieces of fabric – aim for a “blob” shape that distributes rice evenly when flat.
Now it’s time to create your monster features!
Cut monster features from felt – eyes, fangs, spikes – and arrange them on one fabric piece to find the perfect placement. You can pin them if you prefer a more precise look, but remember, monsters are all about whimsy! Sew the appliques in place – I chose to use colored thread and different stitches to add to the monster’s fun features.
Assembling the Hot Pack
After stitching around the perimeter, use a zigzag stitch to reinforce the seam and prevent rice from escaping.
Turn the fabric right-side out.
Use a rolled-up paper plate as a funnel to pour rice into the opening.
Stuff the Monster Hot Pack firmly with rice, but leave some room for movement during heating.
Hand-stitch the opening closed to seal the rice securely.
Heat it Up
Depending on the size of your monster, heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on low power. Start with a shorter time and adjust based on your desired temperature.
Chill Out
For cold therapy, simply pop your Monster Hot Pack in the freezer. They don’t stay cold long (maybe 30 minutes), but for a little one, that is usually all that is needed.
This DIY Monster Hot Pack is not only adorable but also versatile. It offers both heat and cold therapy, making it a great choice for a variety of childhood boo-boos and growing pains – or simply a cuddly friend at night time.
So grab your sewing supplies and some fabric scraps, and let your little one snuggle up to a monster that brings comfort and joy!
This monster is ADORABLE!!! I love him! Great project! I found you via Skip to my Lou!! Thank you for sharing!! I have two little ones that would LOVE one of these!!
That is such a cute idea, especially for cold winter nights. Very creative!
Stopping by from SITS 🙂
What a terrific idea! My little one is all about monsters right now and would LOVE this… I wonder if I could make it in time for his Easter basket? 🙂
We have a friday fun finds party- if you’re interested, we’d love it if you’d link up!
That is cool! I’ve never thought to make anything more than a square shape for a rice bag!
This is SO CUTE!! I bet your son loves it!
Alison
What a fun idea!! I’ll have to keep this one in mind for my kids!
Thanks for linking @Creative Itch’s “Sew Cute Tuesday”!!
I love it – I’ll have to make one of these for my little monster!
Thanks for linking up at Lucky Star Lane!
I LOVE this! The monster is so fun!!
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~Morgan
Meet Virginia Crafts
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I love this idea. Been making a few and needed something fun for the boys. They are hard to make for sometimes.
Cute idea!! Thanks for linking up to Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts!
Oh, I love this! That monster is so funny!
Thank you for linking this to A Little Craft Therapy with Life in the Pitts!
Love this! I would love for you to come link up over at my blog! I’ve got prizes 🙂
-Jill
http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com
Great monster!! and nice clear tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
Jill
Great idea. I think I need one!
I’m featuring this!!!
I’m a grandmother,but I’m going to make one for myself…my back would love such a thing. A monster back pak..so to speak. Thank you for the idea. I have the fleece,the flannel..and the rice, and I’m gonna make a monster.
I love the monster and your son!!! Too cute!!
Thanks for joining Get Your Crat on Thursday. Please join me next week for another wonderful party!!
Please stop next week by I am having guest over each day (I’m on Spring break) and I would love for you to tell them HI! (It could be a Prize)
absolutely adorable! What a delightful project with a great tutorial, too. I hopped over from Somewhat Simple And am so happy that I did! I hope to see you over at my place one day soon. until later…
absolutely adorable! What a delightful project!…and great tutorial, too. I hopped over from Somewhat Simple and am so happy that I did! I hope to see you over at my place one day soon. until later…
I’m featuring you 🙂 Stop by and grab a featured button if you’d like. Thanks for sharing this cute project!
-Jill
Oh, I love my rice pack, but this monster idea is SO CUTE! I came from P@P. 🙂
That is the cutest monster I’ve ever seen! Thanks for linking up on Tot Tuesdays last week. I hope you’ll join me this week for another party. Happy Easter!
I had to get a gift for a co-worker’s 6 year old daughter – I saw this and thought it would be perfect! I went home last night and made one up and I love it!!! (My husband now wants one too 🙂 ) I used black fleece for the body and pink t-shirt material for the eyes and mouth and some orange fabric for the teeth. I had a scarf that I never wear and I used the fringe part for the “hair”. The only tweak I made was instead of stitching the rice into the the actual monster, I made a separate pouch out of a t-shirt and sewed the rice into that. Then I put snap buttons along one side of the monster to make a monster pouch. This way the rice can be microwaved or frozen separate from the monster and allows my coworker to hand wash the monster if need be! Thank you so much for sharing!
Jenna – that is awesome! If you still have it, I would LOVE to see a photo. And I love the idea of making an inside “rice pocket” because if truth be told, Kiki had to go through the washer once!