Keeping sick kids happy. Is such a thing even possible? Or did you just dream that?
It is possible with a bit of ingenuity. And kids do get sick from time to time, much as we might wish they wouldn’t. Childhood illnesses help build the immune system, so parents can unfortunately expect to spend at least several days a year with a sick child at home.
Since this is the case, it can’t hurt to have some simple activities on hand that children can play with, without too much exertion. Strenuous activities aren’t suitable because a sick child needs plenty of rest, especially where there is fever. For this reason, we chose to include many activities that can be played directly from the child’s sick bed.
It’s normal for sick children to be uncomfortable and to complain. That’s why you want to ensure you have some really special activities on hand, novel activities that can’t fail to enchant a child. We recommend you reserve the following activities for illness, to prevent them from becoming overly familiar to your child and as a consequence, boring.
One such enchanting activity is making and using Story Stones. Gather a few smooth stones and draw or paint simple images on them—a crown, a tree, a cat, a star. When your child is feeling under the weather, bring out the stones and invite them to pull one at a time from a bag, weaving each new image into an unfolding tale. The novelty and unpredictability spark creativity, while the storytelling keeps little minds engaged even when their bodies need rest.
What kid doesn’t like cupcakes? Especially fancy cupcakes with lots of sprinkles and colorful decorations. Check out this no-mess, no-stress way to build dreamy felt cupcakes. from Rachel Meeks at Alpha Mom. No sick kids in the kitchen with this terrific activity! Instead, buy felt in pinks, browns, white, black, and blue and use the free, downloadable template and a scissors to cut out the icing, cupcakes, and liners. Next cut out hearts and sprinkles as desired. Then comes the fun part! Building the cupcakes.
No need to glue the pieces on. In fact, don’t do that. This way your child can always reuse the pieces to build more cupcakes, whenever the urge strikes.
Next up: NEVER, EVER throw out a nice sturdy box. A decent-sized box can keep a fractious child happy for hours. For instance, the “Cardboard Box Draw” activity transforms an ordinary box into a creative haven. Simply place your toddler inside the box with a few large washable crayons and let them express their creativity on the interior surfaces. This mess-contained activity not only entertains but also enhances fine motor skills and encourages imaginative play.
So let’s say you didn’t take our advice and didn’t prepare ahead of a child’s illness by setting up a store of activities. Have no fear: if you’ve got a plastic dishpan, some all-purpose flour, and some baby oil, you’re good to go. You’ve got everything you need to make Cloud Dough. This soft, moldable dough feels like flour but holds its shape when pressed, making it a delightful sensory activity. It’s easy to prepare and can keep children engaged for hours.
Another sensory activity that looks like fantastic fun is the Squishy Bag. This multi-sensory tactile activity encourages children to develop hand skills, including hand and finger strength, finger isolation, and squeezing. All you need is a gallon Ziploc bag, food coloring, and a bottle of inexpensive hair gel. Glitter is fun but optional, and there are other ideas too, such as how to use the bag with a light panel.
Do you have a special activity your child enjoys during illness? We’d love for you to share it with us in the comments, below.