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A sponge is a great alternative to make a quick and easy ice pack! Save this easy sponge ice pack hack for when you need ice but don’t have an ice pack around.
What would we do without practical mom hacks? One thing seasoned parents and teachers know is that sometimes kids get bumps and bruises when they play. If you don’t have an ice pack at the ready, you can use a sponge ice pack as a clever hack. I learned this from my son’s elementary school nurse! This seems like common practice at schools and a creative ice pack hack that’s been around for ages.
We love sharing food hacks and life hacks for parents so had to try this out for ourselves. We can attest to how easy this sponge ice pack hack is! Read more below to see how to make your own ice pack out of a sponge.
Why use a sponge as an ice pack?
- sponges are cheap and readily available in multiple packs
- they don’t need to be returned, you can make a bunch of them at schools and not worry about getting them back
- they serve multi-purposes! I wouldn’t use an old sponge even though it’s in a zipper bag but if the new ice pack sponge gets a bit used, I am fine reusing that for household purposes
- They absorb water and won’t’ drip all over when melting
- If you use them when they are cold and not ice hard, they are soft and can mold around the bruised or injured area providing cool relief
How do you make a sponge ice pack?
To make a sponge ice pack, start by wetting a small sponge with water and wringing it out so it’s damp but not dripping.
Place the sponge in a zippered plastic bag and place inside a freezer laying it down flat.
Remove from the freezer and apply to the bruised or injured area as an ice pack.
Tips: If you want your sponge to be on the softer side and not rock hard, do not let it freeze completely. The semi-frozen state is great for little kids especially as it’s not super cold or hard.
Materials to make an ice pack from a sponge
-A clean unused sponge
-Water
-Zipper bag (like a sandwich plastic bag)
Clever Sponge Ice Pack Hack
Materials
- -A clean unused sponge
- -Water
- -Zipper bag (like a sandwich plastic bag)
Instructions
To make a sponge ice pack, start by wetting a small sponge with water and wringing it out so it's damp but not dripping.
Place the sponge in a zippered plastic bag and place inside a freezer laying it down flat.
Remove from the freezer and apply to the bruised or injured area as an ice pack.
Notes
Tips: If you want your sponge to be on the softer side and not rock hard, do not let it freeze completely. The semi-frozen state is great for little kids especially as it's not super cold or hard.
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.