Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Activities for Housebound Kids

by Theresa Carpine9/24/2008 1:17:13 PM

Help kids have a little fun while they recover from an winter illness.

Being sick is the pits when you’re a kid. Sure, you get a day off from school, but you usually don’t have the energy to enjoy it like you normally would. And depending on their age, kids can have trouble understanding why they need to stay in bed all day and put up a fight when it comes to taking that pesky cold medicine (which never really tastes like grape or cherry or whatever fruit flavor they think will make the concoction more palatable for kids).

So if the kids are home sick, here are a few suggestions to help make them a little happier, and hopefully make the day go by faster.

Pick a Theme for the Day
At the start of the day, pick a favorite topic of your child’s and refer back to it throughout the day. If they’re really into pirates, for example, serve a breakfast of gruel (oatmeal) and orange juice to prevent scurvy. Or if they like scary stories (especially around Halloween), pretend you’re a mad scientist and that their medicine is a crazy potion. Make up a story to go along with your jokes throughout the day. If you can find little ways to be creative, it’ll put a big smile on their face.

Have a Bath
A bath is a great way to help achy and sick kids feel refreshed, and have a little fun with bath bubbles. If they have the chickenpox, you can also add oatmeal to bath water to relieve itching. When kids are particularly fussy or cranky, a bath can help kids calm down and great ready for a nap.

Invest in a Lap Desk
When I was growing up, one of the most functional items my parents ever purchased for me was a lap desk, especially since I used it for years. With a hard surface on one side and a cushiony pillow on the other, a lap desk is great for drawing or doing homework in the car, at the park, or in bed. With a lap desk, sick kids can stay comfortable in bed while entertaining themselves with something besides the TV. You can also use the desk as a surface for playing cards, board games, or putting a puzzle together. Order a lap desk online, or check out the selections available at Paper Dreams in Fairhaven.

Put On Your Thinking Cap
If your child is interested in science and biology, an unexpected illness might help begin an exploration of how our bodies work, the immune systems and other related topics. A good place to start is Brigid Avison’s Human Body, a Curious Kids Guide of how our bodies work and why. If they’re up to it, you can also take their exploration of their illness to the computer; KidsHealth for Kids is a great resource for easy to understand answers to questions about getting sick and growing up.

And remember, parents, do your best to make your child as comfortable as possible when they’re feeling sick, but don’t let staying home from school become such a treat that kids try feigning illness for another “day off.”

A Note About the Author: Theresa Carpine

Theresa Carpine graduated from WWU in 2006 with a BA in English Literature. She enjoys yoga, listening to music, riding her bike in downtown Bellingham, and babysitting really cute kids.