Activity
Sew a Rice Heat Pack
As the winter chill sets in, a little extra warmth goes a long way. This one-of-a-kind reusable heating compress is an easy afternoon craft, and is perfect for soothing body aches and warming cold limbs on chilly winter days. Just pop the entire thing in the microwave for a minute. Make a bunch and give them as holiday or birthday gifts!
What You Need:
- 1 37” x 10” rectangle of cotton fabric
 - 6 cups long-grain dry rice (not instant)
 - Thread
 - Scissors
 - Sewing machine
 - One-cup measuring cup
 
What You Do:
- Fold the rectangle of fabric over lengthwise with the patterned side (right side) facing in.
 - Sew the bottom and long side closed, with a 1/2" seam allowance (the distance between the fabric edge and line of stitches).
 - Turn the tube right side out and, starting at the bottom seam, use a pencil or chalk to place marks every six inches along the long side of the rectange. Stop when you're 1/2" from the top (open) edge.
 - Pour one cup of rice inside the tube.
 - At the first mark, sew across the width to enclose the rice in the bottom segment.
 - Pour another cup of rice into the tube and sew across the width at the next mark. Repeat the process until the last cup of rice has been added.
 - Turn under the edges of the open end and sew the rectangle tightly closed.
 
To warm, microwave the pack for 1-2 minutes until hot. Hold it to your body, making sure it’s not too hot for comfort. Ahhhh….
Related learning resources
                                    
                        Specific Heat of Water vs. Specific Heat of Sand
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Specific Heat of Water vs. Specific Heat of Sand
            
            
            
                5th grade students test the specific heat of water against the specific heat of sand in this great science fair project.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Heat Conduction
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Heat Conduction
            
            
            
                Examine which metal conducts more heat by boiling water in 3 pans made of aluminum, copper, and stainless steel.            
            
                                                            4th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Heat Waves
                    
                    Worksheet
                                            
                Heat Waves
            
            
            
                Learners will discover what heat waves are, and how they are connected to global warming, in this two-page earth sciences worksheet.            
            
                            Science                        
                                    Worksheet
                            
                                    
                        Holiday Survival Pack
                    
                    Workbook
                                            
                Holiday Survival Pack
            
            
            
                Bring good tidings and cheer all winter with a winter break fun pack! Complete with a deck of playing cards, puzzles, drawing prompts and more, this mash up of brainteasers will keep boredom at bay.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                                                                                                                                                                            Workbook
                            
                                    
                        Heat Capacity of Water vs. Heat Capacity of Oil
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Heat Capacity of Water vs. Heat Capacity of Oil
            
            
            
                Students pit the heat capacity of water against the heat capacity of oil while looking at the effects of dipole rotation in this cool science fair project idea.            
            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Color and Heat Absorption
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Color and Heat Absorption
            
            
            
                The objective of this science fair project is to observe the differences in heat absorption for darker colors vs. lighter colors.            
            
                                                            3rd Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Heat Convection in Liquids
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Heat Convection in Liquids
            
            
            
                In this science experiment, observe convection currents forming and learn about how heat energy moves in liquids from hot to cooler areas through convection.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Rubber Band Heat Engine
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Rubber Band Heat Engine
            
            
            
                Kids will create their own version of Richard Feynman's rubber band heat engine to learn about thermodynamics with this cool science fair project idea.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Which Color Absorbs the Most Heat?
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Which Color Absorbs the Most Heat?
            
            
            
                In this fun experiment, we'll find out how color affects heat absorption!            
            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Are Insects Attracted to Heat or Light?
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Are Insects Attracted to Heat or Light?
            
            
            
                This experiment determines whether insects are attracted to the heat or the light.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        The Effect of Heat on Rubber
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                The Effect of Heat on Rubber
            
            
            
                You've heard the expression "burn rubber" but do you know how heat affects rubber? Examine the impact of temperature on rubber in this fun science experiment.            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                            Activity
                            
                                    
                        Rice and Peas
                    
                    Activity
                                            
                Rice and Peas
            
            
            
                ...Peas n’ rice is a traditional dish from the Bahamas....            
            
                                                            5th Grade                                                    
                                                
                                                                                                                                                                            Activity
                            
                    See this activity in a set:
                    Ready, Set, Sew! 10 Easy Sewing Projects for Tweens