Summer time seems to bring out more boo-boos as kids are playing outside more and summer clothing means more skin showing to get scraped. Whether you need a little “boo-boo” ice pack, or an ice pack for a larger injury, there are a couple homemade ice packs you can make and keep in the freezer for just such an occasion.
Here are some Homemade Ice Pack ideas for summer time or throughout the year:
Mini Ice Pack (Ketchup Packet)
An easy homemade ice pack, perfect for the little boo-boos, is to stick a ketchup pack (like you get at a fast food place) in the freezer. Perfect size for little hands and little owies.
Medium Ice Pack – (Dish Soap)
Using the snack size ziploc bags, fill about halfway with dish soap and stick in the freezer. The dish soap gets super cold but allows you to mold the ice pack around the injury as it doesn’t get hard. Freeze overnight if possible or for at least 4 hours.
Large Ice Pack – (Alcohol and Water)
Using a larger sandwich size ziploc bag (freezer bags work the best), fill with 2 cups water and 1 cup rubbing alcohol and put in the freezer. Freeze overnight or for at least 4 hours.
If a larger ice pack is needed, just double the ingredients and use a bigger bag, but the bag should never be more than 1/2-3/4 full.
Any of these DIY ice packs can be used over and over again as long as the bag holds up. Double zipper bags work best on leaks and freezer bags are a little stronger so tend to last longer.
