What Are Some Ways to Keep Your Toddler or Young Child Entertained When They are Sick?
- Movies – This morning we put on a movie and he got through most of the movie. A movie is a great way to keep a sick toddler entertained while allowing them to rest. If your child is anything like mine, your lucky if you can get half way through the movie before he gets too antsy and wants down to play. I stopped the movie and let him finish it after he woke up from his nap. An older child will probably be able to watch an entire movie before they get bored or fall asleep.
- Coloring – Coloring is not only fun and relaxing but it is a great way to keep your toddler or young child occupied when they are stuck at home sick. We spent some time this afternoon coloring together. I grabbed the lap desk, a few coloring books, and the crayons and took them to the bedroom so that he could color while he rested. I let him pick out a page to color on and set his paper on the lap desk.
- Reading Books – Reading books is another great way to keep your toddler or young child occupied while laying in bed together. Not only can you teach your child new words but you can make the story interactive while reading the story together. You can ask your child questions about the story or have them point out things in the illustrations, depending on how old your child is.
- Play Dough – If you have play dough around the house, you can sit your child in the high chair or at the table and let them play with play dough. This is another great quiet activity that can keep your toddler or young child entertained without worrying about them playing to hard. If you don’t have any play dough handy, you can make your own. For a recipe on how to make your own play dough, click here.
- Online Games or Apps Made for Toddlers or Young Children – Most parents have access to technology whether it be a computer or cell phone. There are plenty of games or cell phone applications that your toddler or young child can play. Make sure that you supervise your child closely if you allow them to play games on the computer or your cell phone.
I hope that these 5 tips will help you keep your toddler or young child entertained while they are at home sick. As a mom, I know how difficult it is to keep a toddler or young child still for more than a few minutes, especially when they are sick. Most kids are resilient and handle sickness much better than we do as adults, so if your child is up for playing for a little bit it probably won’t hurt them unless they are getting too rowdy.
Try to Keep Your Child Well Hydrated While They are Sick
It is important to keep your child well hydrated when they are sick, so fill up your child’s sippy cup water, pedialyte, or juice. Try to steer clear of milk when they are sick with a cold, this causes an increase in mucous making it more difficult for them.
Parents what type of quiet activities does your child enjoy while sick?
Comments
11 responses to “5 Ways to Keep Your Child Entertained While Sick”
It’s not easy entertaining a sick child. These are really good tips 🙂
No it isn’t, my son was hyper yesterday even though he was sick.
My kids only ever wanted to lay in the bed or on the couch and watch tv when they were sick. The tv does come in handy at times! Normally I do not like them vegging in front of it when they are young, but when they are sick, that’s a different matter. Good tips!
play-doh is always fun…and making it is fun too =)
I haven’t tried making homemade play-doh before. 🙂
When my daughter spent days in the hospital, I remember reading her favorite books to her. I also brought along her coloring stuff. Yes, they do help uplift a sick kid’s spirits. Her favorite stuffed toy helped cheer her up too.
Usually, my kids liked watching movies or cartoons and with me in my cozy warm waterbed. Play-doh was a definite no-no since it didn’t go too well with my off-white carpet. Great ideas!
Awwww…play-doh for the most part comes up fairly easily. Now on the other hand, don’t let your kids play with the slime, it doesn’t come out of the carpet very well. When we got new carpet in my parents house, my brother left a glob of slime on the carpet hidden under a desk. Needless to say it was a good thing that my parents were replacing the carpet.
Great advice. I love building “nests” for my kids when they’re sick. Blankets, pillows and stuffed animals to curl up in on the couch. Added bonus: If they suddenly throw up, just wash the blankets not the couch!
Karen, I usually either get a bucket or have a towel handy if my kids are throwing up. But putting a blanket down in case they miss either of those items might be a grand idea. 🙂
Watching movies and playing is among the best things to do to entertain your kids when they’re not feeling good.That’s what my cousin usually do when her little girl is not in the good condition.
Junalin