Hey y'all. I had every intention of posting earlier this morning… but we've been sick this week - just the low-grade fever, tired, crankies with runny noses - and it all went from frustrating to worse at 7:28 this morning. Our youngest threw up at the breakfast table. So, in the midst of finding a ride to school for the oldest, cleaning, caring for a sad little one, canceling all our day's plans… the blog was forgotten.
And since my mind is on entertaining sick children:
9. STEAMY SWIRLS
If your child
has a cough or congested chest, sometimes a steamy shower will make her feel
better. Instead of actually putting her in the shower, let her stay in the
bathroom (with the door closed to keep the steam in) and draw on the mirrors.
Sure, you'll have to grab some glass cleaner and paper towels to clean the
streaks off afterward, but it's a great non-TV activity that will help her feel
better, too.
8. COLOR ME WELL
Pick up some
new crayons or markers and a coloring or activity book for your homebound
little one. Keep a few packs on hand during cold and flu season so you're
always prepared! This is a perfect activity for sick children because they can
do this lying down in bed without exerting too much precious energy. If he's
missing a fun activity at school that day -- like a field trip or special guest
-- have him draw a picture of the activity. This can help him feel included
even if he's not able to attend.
7. CRAFTY KIDS
If your sick
kid is up to the task, have her help you put together an art box. Find any
cardboard box around the house and have her decorate it with glitter, stickers
and markers or crayons. Fill the box with colored felt and other fabrics of
varying colors and textures, along with pipe cleaners, beads, sequins and glue.
Encourage her to create an abstract picture based on how she's feeling.
6. NOT-BORED GAMES
Play a game
with your child that uses more mental than physical energy, such as Memory,
Scrabble, Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman. Another idea: Print some word find games from
the SheKnows Kids'
Activity Center.
5. GIVE HIM AN EARFUL
Books may get
tossed to the side in favor of other, more physical activities on a daily
basis, but when your child is sick, a little quiet is just the thing. Serve
some chicken noodle soup in a mug, cuddle up with a cozy blanket and get lost
in a good story.
4. BUSY BLING
Your child can
make a necklace or bracelet to pass the time while she's recuperating. Set up a
TV tray in her bed and supply her with some pretty beads and thin elastic thread.
Tie one bead at the end of the thread, then let her string other beads onto the
elastic in a pattern. Tie the two ends of the elastic and trim off the excess.
3. PUPPET SHOW
Pull out some
old socks, random buttons that have fallen off shirts, plus some fabric scraps
and fabric glue — and let your child's creativity run wild. Once you have
finished making your sock puppets, put on a little puppet show with your child.
2. DRAW YOURSELF
Have your child
lie down on a long piece of butcher paper and trace his outline with a black
magic marker. Then let him decorate his likeness however he chooses.
1. FOR THE BIRDS
Clean out a milk carton, glue the
top closed and help your child build a birdhouse. Cut a dowel twice the length
of the milk carton, and then cut a hole just large enough for the dowel to fit
through on either side of the carton at the same level. Slide the dowel through
and apply glue where the wood meets the carton. Cut a few other holes in the
carton large enough for the birds to get through. Poke two holes in the top of
the carton; thread a string through it, then tie it. Fill the feeder with
birdseed and hang it from a branch outside.
I know many in our area are sick this week. Get well quickly, stay warm and good luck entertaining the masses!
