Do you or your child get headaches and you're looking for a non-medicine way to relieve the pain? I'll show you how to make a homemade, reusable freezer bag to work as a DIY cold pack. My family and I have used these for years. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make a homemade freezer pack in about 30 minutes!
Originally published April 19, 2016. Updated to include better instructions and supplies.
Headaches are the WORST! Ever since I was little I have suffered from migraines, tension, and sinus headaches. There is one thing I always turn to for headache relief. And it's these DIY Freezer Bags.
Like a boo boo bag for your head, these reusable fabric cold packs are easy to keep on hand when you need to soothe your head.
My whole family loves these homemade cold compress pillows. It's one of my favorite natural headache remedies.
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Headache Relief Bags to DIY
Now that my kids are also starting to get headaches, I'm more aware than ever about what we are putting in our bodies. I hate to turn immediately to medicine.
Although my headaches aren't classified as migraines anymore, I still get severe headaches about once a month. They are caused by allergies, stress, caffeine, and pretty much if people look at me the wrong way.
Someone made me a DIY freezer bag when I was in college to help me with my headaches. And I have used it ever since. It's one of my favorite home remedies for headaches.
Now with the kids needing headache relief too, I decided that we needed to make more of these bags.
I'll be honest, there had been fights over who got to use the freezer bag.
They are really easy to make and require really basic sewing skills. I had my mother-in-law come over to help me and we made 3 at once.
You will probably also want to make more than one. My kids use them all the time.
Of course, they grab one when they need natural headache relief but they also use it if they bump their heads, etc. I love that it is non-medicinal and helps them to find comfort.
Supplies
Scroll down for a printable instruction list with full measurements and instructions.
- fabric
- unpopped popcorn
- Sewing machine and someone to work it...
- scissors
Unpopped popcorn, you say. And I say to you, YES!
You may find info online for how to make DIY corn bags, which can be heated up in the microwave. Those call for dried corn from a feed store. When I opened up my original cold bag for headaches to see what was inside, it looked like popcorn.
There's a very real chance it was dried corn and I just couldn't tell the difference.
Regardless, all of my bags use popcorn. This means that they work great as a cold compress, but shouldn't be heated in the microwave.
This mini sewing machine is all you need. It doesn't need to be all fancy. A handheld machine would probably even do the trick.
It's All About the Weight
Most headache sufferers know that using something cold on their forehead can be really soothing. But what I love most about these DIY freezer bags is the weight.
The bags are fairly heavy and the pressure helps to relieve a little bit of the pain from the headache. It's pretty amazing.
When we only had one of these bags, I would suffer through a minor headache at night because I wasn't sure if the headache would worsen and I'd need "the cats" more in the morning.
I don't know what took me so long to make more bags. Because now I use them all the time!
How to make a reusable cold pack for headaches
Essentially, you are creating a small rectangular-shaped pillow. Except instead of stuffing it with batting, you'll add your popcorn.
My mother-in-law was able to whip these out super fast on the sewing machine. If you have some sewing experience, you should be able to finish the ice bag for headache in under 30 minutes.
1. Cut the fabric
Cut two pieces of fabric to be 10 ¾" x 6" (which includes ½" for seams).
2. Place Fabric Together
Lay the two front sides of the fabric against each other so that the inside of the fabrics are facing outward.
3. Add Pins
Add straight pins to keep the fabric in place. You can skip this step if you are a more free flowing type of gal.
4. Sew Them Together
Sew three sides (both long sides and one short side) and then leave a small opening on the fourth side where you'll add your popcorn.
5. Trim the Corners
Cut off the extra fabric from the corners (taking care to not cut through what you've just stitched closed) to get rid of excess fabric for when you turn the fabric right side out again.
7. Add the Filling
Grab a funnel and add the unpopped popcorn to through the hole you've left in one of the short ends.
8. Close Up The Hole
Sew the hole closed to keep the popcorn in.
Now we fight over who gets to use what pattern, but there is one for each of us.
These DIY headache relief are one of my favorite things in life. I used them twice this week due to headaches.
If you suffer from migraines or terrible headaches, you need to make these! They feel so great on your head, but I often scoot it down to cover my eyes as well.
These are a perfect size and weight for kids and adults. Definitely make more than one. They are so great to have on hand!
P.S. I'm really sorry you if you get headaches too. They are the pits!
Frequently Asked Questions
I am no scientist. I just know about my personal experience with headaches. Ever since I was little, my mom would give me a cold washcloth when my migraines came on. It was soothing and helped relieve the pain a little bit. I read that cold can help blood vessels constrict, making the pain less noticeable. While it doesn't take the pain away, it does help to numb the area and distract your brain from the pain. That's especially true for migraines. Other types of headaches might feel more relief from warmth. But I use these cold packs for all my headaches and it always feels better. You can read a more sciency answer here.
Store-bought cold packs are usually filled with chemicals. There are a variety of ways to make your own at home. I perfer to use unpopped popcorn kernals. But you can also use rice, and different combinations of water with dish soap, rubbing alcohol or even freezing a damp sponge.
How to Use Ice Pack for Headache
I store these in a plastic bag in the freezer so they are ready when we need them.
To use, lay down on a bed or couch, then lay the homemade freezer pack on your forehead.
When I have an allergy headache, I will sometimes scoot it down over my eyes as well.
Move it around to try to find the spot where it gives you the most relief.
Variations
If you have the skill, adding a zipper would ensure you could wash the fabric when you need to.
If you are an expert sewer, consider adding a zipper AND an inner muslin bag for the popcorn so you can wash the cover and keep the inner bag more protected.
If you don't have a sewing machine or don't want it to slip off your head, also try this headache hat! I got one for Christmas and it is really nice! Just make sure you put on socks and a sweatshirt before putting it on as it cools you down a LOT!
Etsy also sells homemade Headache Bags but most of those are filled with rice and can also be microwaved.
Looking for another type of cold bag? Check out this post with 5 ways to one that is perfect for a single use.
And if you love sewing, this Apron with Attached Towel tutorial is something you should check out. I could totally use this in the kitchen!
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- Keep organized with a Sick Day kit featuring printables to track your kid's fever and make a shopping list of the supplies you need.
- Essential Oil Shower Diffusers: Want to add a little aromatherapy to your shower? Find the perfect option in this post.
- Cellulite Scrub with Coffee: This DIY coffee scrub is a great temporary remedy for making your skin look smoother.
- Self Care Ideas for Spring: These easy self-care ideas are great for spring. These "me time" ideas are easy to do at home!
DIY Headache Bag
Equipment
- Sewing machine and someone to work it...
- Scissors
Ingredients
- 2 pieces of fabric that are 10 ¾" x 6" (which includes ½" for seams)
- 28 ounces of unpopped popcorn
Instructions
- Face fabric pieces together so that the right side of the fabric is facing the other right side of the fabric.
- You can pin the pieces together before sewing if that is your preference.
- Sew all sides making sure to leave a 1 inch opening (approximately) on one of the short sides where you'll add the popcorn.
- Turn the fabric right side out.
- With a funnel, add unpopped popcorn.
- Carefully, sew the remaining 1-inch opening, closed.
Notes
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Kathy says
Hi! Awesome recipes btw! My kids reusable lunch and snack bags have a zipper and appear to be correct size...they are fabric-y on outside, I bet they will work, now that the hard part is figured, I need popcorn. :) Blessings!
Sharon Garofalow says
I bet that would work really well! And be washable which is awesome. For me, the weight of these is what really helps my headaches. I'm going to look online for reusable bags to try. That's a genius idea! Thank you for sharing!
Dorinda says
Hi Tori. I love your headache bag idea. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, you just freeze them to use?
Seems like cold would make a headache worse?
Sharon Garofalow says
Hi Dorinda, I get all different kinds of headaches and I love putting this cold bag on my forehead. Between the cooling and the weight of the bag, it really helps me! I've been using them for about 20 years now! And I take them with me on vacation because I hate to not have it when I need it! XO, Sharon
Diane says
Love this idea! I’m making some and giving one to my sister , also! She gets headaches ( migraines) frequently! Thanks!
Sharon Garofalow says
We use ours ALL the time! We have 4 so each member of the family has one. I even take them with me any time we go on a car trip! I hate being without it!
Tori says
I need one of these in my life!