When living with a soccer player or kids, learn some first aid skills! Playing a competitive contact sport often results in many injuries (bruises, scrapes, pulls, tears, sprains, muscle cramps, etc.). [I have seen a bruised toenail that fell off, a finger bent back the wrong way, and a leg that looked like it was mauled by a bear – sorry tmi…]

One of the tools in our first aid kit is a homemade, flexible and reusable ice pack. It will wrap around injured body parts and you can choose the size needed!

How to make a Homemade, Flexible & Reusable Ice Pack

Start by choosing the size of freezer bag (silicone or plastic). I like to keep a few large and a few medium in the freezer, because the size needed will depend on the injury.

Next add 1 part isopropyl rubbing alcohol and 2 parts water. The actual amount will depend on the size you are making. For example: If using a large freezer bag use 1 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of water. If using a medium freezer bag use 1/2 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol and 1 cup of water.

Close the bag half way, squeeze out any excess air and seal. To guarantee a proper seal (if using a plastic freezer bag), use duct tape on the opening or place inside a larger freezer bag.

Finally: freeze, use and reuse! It will form a flexible ice pack within 12 hours (or longer if larger). They are very cold, so wrap a cloth around it before applying. After it is used, put it back in the freezer to reuse next time!

Happy Icing 🙂

What do you use for bumps and sprains? Have you made your own ice pack before?