These warm buddy rice bags heat in the microwave and stay warm while your little ones fall asleep. A cozy little softie for bedtime! They also work great as boo boo bags and can be used warm or cold (frozen).
I wanted to make my kids a little something homemade for Christmas. Aaron has a little gingerbread rice bag that my mom sent him for his birthday a few years ago. He can heat it in the microwave and it stays warm in his bed while he falls asleep. Kaylee and Dallin like him as well so I thought I’d make a couple of rice bags for Christmas. They were SO fun to make!
I’m not sure what the appeal is in these little ugly monster dolls, but my boys saw them recently and wanted them. I was not going to spend the money that the store was asking, so I made my own.
Making 2 dimensional softies is super simple. I can’t make dolls. Sewing skinny arms/legs, stuffing them and adding details is just too much for me to handle, but I can do these little 2-D softies all day.
You don’t need a special pattern to make these rice bags. I use coloring sheets that I find online.
I print out one full scale on a piece of 8.5×11″ paper and cut it out. That’s it!
Then I use that to cut out 2 pieces of fleece.
The detail on the front is cut out of felt or flannel and sewn on by machine. I like to use fabric paint when I usually make little toys like this, but since these will be microwaved, I kept everything sewn and attached with thread.
Once the details are finished, I sew up the sides of the rice bags (right sides facing), leaving a small opening in the top. I clip corners, trim seams, then flip right side out and fill it up with rice (a little more than 3/4 full—you don’t want it packed too tight), a few drops of essential oil (optional, but covers up the musty rice smell), then hand stitch the top opening closed!
Microwave each rice bag for 45 seconds at a time until nice and warm.
I can’t wait for them to open them on Christmas morning!
These bedtime rice bags would make great little birthday gifts for friends as well!
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And here’s a cute tutorial for making bunnies out of socks! Another fun softie craft.
Stephanie says
December 12, 2011 at 3:00 pmThose are really cute!
Nancy says
December 12, 2011 at 6:58 pmI never gave anything like this a thought. My granbaby would love these cuddle bugs in the cold upnorth! Thank you!
Lindsay(PACountryCrafts) says
December 13, 2011 at 12:40 amvery cute! my kids would love these, too!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
December 13, 2011 at 8:53 pmThese are so cute. I love the hello kitty one!
house full of jays says
December 15, 2011 at 1:26 amJust stumbled over here from Pinterest. What a great idea! I’m doing heating packs but nothing as cool as this…I may have to do a couple of these as well! Thanks!
Q @ JAQS says
December 15, 2011 at 4:23 amThese are awesome 🙂
Love for you to share it at my linky party here: http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/12/made-by-me-10-linky-party-and-features.html
Katie @ The Crafty Blog Stalker says
December 15, 2011 at 2:05 pmThese are so cute and I know my kids would go crazy over these!
I would love for you to link up on Blog Stalking Thursday! http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-stalking-thursday-19.html
marissa says
December 16, 2011 at 6:33 amthese are so cute, what a fun idea I’d love you to add this to my What We Wore and Made Party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/search/label/WWWMW
Melissa @ LoveBugLiving says
December 17, 2011 at 3:03 amSo cute! I’ve been doing all kinds of monster crafts for my little one’s first birthday. Love all of yours!
Trisha @ clarionwren.com says
December 17, 2011 at 3:14 amOkay, I’m pinning this idea! I wish I had my sewing machine before Christmas…but alas it will have to wait until after.
Lindsi B says
December 18, 2011 at 6:10 pmAw, I love these and so would my kids! Would you please share this with my readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/12/fun-stuff-fridays-4-3-weeks-long-for.html
Lillian says
December 19, 2011 at 3:00 amJust linked over from Ohdeedoh and just had to say that I love these! Trying to think of how to make some time this week to squeeze them in before Christmas now:)
Holly says
December 27, 2011 at 2:52 pmwhat a GREAT idea! These are so cute. I’ve seen the simple rice bags that you can microwave for aches and pains, but I never thought about doing different shapes! I need to make one for my kiddo!
sugarswings says
December 27, 2011 at 3:16 pmgreat idea and great job on them!
Bri says
December 27, 2011 at 6:16 pmOH I love this idea! I think I might have to make these for all the neices and nephews next year! Thanks so much for sharing!
Melissa says
January 13, 2012 at 4:18 amToo cute!!
Heather at Dragonfly Designs says
January 21, 2012 at 3:36 amSo cute!! LOVE the monsters!! TFS!
xo
Heather
http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com
Natasha Mairs says
February 20, 2012 at 7:53 pmhow sweet
Natasha xx
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
the Gillian says
March 12, 2012 at 4:29 amFWIW, Japanese rice doesn’t smell after it’s been heated. I’ve seen people use flax seed as well- but I don’t know what if any smells that might have.
Love the monsters. : )
Brandy says
March 12, 2012 at 11:24 amThat’s GREAT to know, Gillian! I will definietly try that next time. The kids still use these every night (it’s been 3 months!) and I know they will wear out eventually so I’ll grab some Japanese rice next time!
Shelley says
December 1, 2012 at 4:19 amwhat a special gift! 🙂