This post on making a Rice Heat Pack is part of my 21 Challenge. I am taking The 21 Challenge to raise money to support homeless and at-risk young people in Australia. There are more than 32,000 young people who sleep on our streets every night and I blogging a kids activity daily to raise funds to go to Open Family Australia who support these youths.
My challenge is to blog daily an activity I do each day with my kids, using only things we have at home or use what we have on hand when we are out. You can see all the children’s activities I have posted as part of the 21 Challenge by clicking on the tag 21 Challenge here.
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Description:
I am not a sewer. I have a sewing machine and I use it a couple of times a year, but my daughter loves sewing. She actually loves creating in general – drawing, clay, construction, anything really. Teaching some one how to sew when you aren’t proficient is a little challenging, but today we gave it a good go. I helped my daughter to sew a Rice Heat Pack.
Full credit for the Rice Heat Pack idea goes to Abby at Things For Boys. You will see our step by step photos below, but head to Abby’s blog if you are after more detailed instructions!
Age:
My daughter is 8 and other than giving instructions and showing her how to use the machine safely, she pretty much made it all by herself. A fact she is immensely proud of. I think you could make it with younger kids, but being more hands on.
I have to say that all of her brothers are slightly envious that she has her own heat pack!
Materials needed:
- Cotton fabric
- Cotton
- Sewing Machine
- Rice
- Aromatherapy Oil
Opportunities for learning:
Sewing provides many opportunities for learning. We needed to:
- measure the fabric – measurement
- read the tutorial – literacy
- cutting – fine motor control
- use the sewing machine – fine motor control
- concentration – sewing in straight lines is never as easy as it seems and requires full concentration
How we made our rice heat pack:
She measured the fabric to the size she wanted her rice heat pack.
She folded over the fabric, so she had one less seam to sew!
She pinned the fabric together.
She cut the fabric to size.
She practiced straight line sewing, going different speeds with the foot pedal.
She then started sewing the rice heat pack!
She left an opening to fill the bag with rice.
Sewed a zig zig line on each edge.
Turned the bag inside out.
Half filled the bag with rice.
Added some aromatherapy oil to the rice.
Sewed up the opening.
Heated the rice pack in the microwave for 1.5 minutes and enjoyed the warmth!
Are you a sewer? Do you teach your kids to sew?
If you enjoyed this post, you are welcome to sponsor me in my 21 Challenge. Donations are tax deductible and can be made securely online here. Thanks!