Like most parents…I had to deal with having a sick child home from school more times than I count. After day one…children often get bored and at times can mis-behave even when they’re sick!
One of things I learned over the years is to plan ahead for those sick days at home. I went out and purchased two large plastic bins and filled them up with toys & games that were specifically for those times when she wasn’t feeling well.
The things I chose for the “sick toy box” are items that are meant to be played with sitting down and relaxing, not items that have the kids up and running around!
Here are 25 Sick Child Boredom Busters that I’ve used over the years.
* Coloring Books and Crayons
* Activity and Puzzle Books
* Art Pad with Markers and Colored Pencils
* Small Chalk Board and Colored Chalks
* Etch-a-Sketch
* Puzzles
* Building Block Sets
* Paper and Magnetic Dolls
* Handheld Electronic Games
* Lace-Up Craft Activity Kits
* Kid’s Potholder Loom
* Paint by Number Kits
* Friendship Bracelet Making Kit
* Silly Putty
* Play-Doh
* Plastic Suncatcher Paint Kits
* Spirograph Art Kit
* Dry Erase Board with Markers
* Deck of Playing Cards and UNO Cards
* Action Figures and Die-Cast Mini Cars
* Colorforms
* Lite Brite
* Craft Foam Art Kits
* Special Movie DVDs
* Interactive Books
I don’t recommend getting all of those things, but I do recommend selecting a few of them and putting them away just for those times when you have a sick child at home.
Final Tips: After the illness has passed and your child has returned to their regular activities, try to wipe down and clean the items from the sick toy box before putting them away. Second, keep these items put away and only bring them out when you need to bust the boredom when a child is at home. This will make them “special” and “new” to the child every time you bring them out.
How do you keep a child from getting bored when they’re home from school and sick?
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These are great ideas for boredom busters. it is especially important to wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe before putting them away. It is also a good idea to keep these items only for sick days.
Good ideas as those sick days are always a challenge once the kiddos start being healthy enough to want to play but not well enough to go out or to school. Having some items they don’t usually get is great to keep them interested.
I pllayed with a spirograph when sick! I think my favorite was my Etch a ketch. Its tough being sick and younger, well its tough being sick anytime. I think reading is good too. Thanks goodness for electronice too and games.
I remember making potholders on a loom when I was sick a couple of times. That way you have something to show for it.