Every parent knows when your baby is sick your just as miserable. If you could, you’d take their cold right away. Until that becomes possible, the best thing you can do is nurse them back to health. Besides keeping them as comfortable as possible, there is one other aspect of being sick that kids hate and that’s being bored. So what can you do to entertain them without overexerting them?
Games
From card games to board games, and even video games. What little one doesn’t want to play with their parent? One of the best parts of playing is you can do it right from their bed, or pull up a small table in case they need a break to rest.
Check the mail
Pick your child’s favorite fictional character and write them a get well soon card as that character. This will absolutely make their day.
Read
If getting your child to sit still long enough for a story is a daunting task at any other time, this may be a good opportunity to spark a love of reading. Pick up a bunch of different books and let them pick the one that most interests them. Although adventure stories are great when you’re stuck still, pick a bunch of genres to see what interests them most.
Play pretend
If you have a good imagination, dress up in something unusual and use a funny accent then visit your child. The funnier the better.
Tell stories
Reading can get a little boring after a while, no matter how engrossing the story is. Why not take the story into your own hands by taking turns telling stories. If you want to make it even more interesting, take turns making up parts of the same story and see where it ends up.
Share memories
Sometimes we forget to talk about family and old memories. Use this time to pull out old family photos (even their baby pictures) and tell your child about who’s in them.
Have a spa day
Everyone loves being pampered, sick or well. You can recreate a spa at home with little effort. A steamy shower can turn your bathroom into a mock sauna, add a little essential oil and you can even relieve some of the pain of congestion. After, rub your child’s aches with warm lotion and bundle them up in warm pajamas and a robe. Let them rest with a warm compress to help relieve headache.
Make a special treat
A sore throat is a real pain. You can help ease that pain with homemade popsicles. Add a little honey to a serving of children’s tea for sore throats, mix with equal parts lemonade, pour into popsicle molds and freeze. Not only do these taste good but they feel good too.
Get a little exercise
Sometimes, staying in bed can make you feel worse. If your child is feeling up to it, take a short walk and get some fresh air if possible. Just getting the blood flowing can help.
Play hide-and-seek
Who doesn’t love this classic game? It’s a great way to get moving without too much exertion. If you have to get some work done around the house, have some favorite toys stand in for you. Hide the toy(s) around the house and give your child clues on where to find them.
Move around
Although they need their rest, sitting in one place all day will make them restless. Instead, try resting in different rooms just to keep it interesting.
Get them a gift
There’s nothing like a big smile on your child’s face. Something like a new toy or video game is a great distraction from their symptoms, at least a little more than some of their old things.
A fancy bath
A bubble bath with lots of suds and their favorite toys can be plenty of fun. The warm water is a soothing bonus.
Catch up with friends and family
Being stuck inside can be lonely. If you have video-calling services, see if you can get in touch with family or your child’s friends. It’s nice to see other people without worrying about getting them sick.
Draw
Most kids love to draw and color. Make this drawing special by posing for them.
