Monday, March 5, 2012

Ten Activities to Occupy Your Preschooler on "Sick" Days

"Mommy I not feel good."
Today is a sick day in our house.  Everyone is at some stage of dealing with a nasty respiratory virus.  Neither kid is so sick that they need to be in bed all day, but too sick to be out and about.  I'd rather they not watch TV and movies all day long (although truthfully, there will be a lot "vegging-out" around here).  So I've come up with ten TV-alternatives for when your kids (or you) are under the weather.

1. Drag out those couch cushions and bed sheets and make a cozy fort.  Flashlights add to the fun.  If you are lucky they will even take a nap in it!
2. Do some puzzles.  Princess and train puzzles are a big hit with my kids. 
3. Get out some old photo albums and show your kids what you looked like many years ago.
4. Watch home movies of them when they were younger.  Yes it's technically TV, but not as passive; seeing themselves as babies should spur lots of questions and conversations.
5. Call or Skype with friends or family.  It might be hard to find someone available during the work week, but if all else fails, call Daddy (or an aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) during their lunch break!
6. Read lots and lots of books to them.  Also good; books on CD.
7. Play board games and card games.  Even toddlers can grasp Go-Fish and Memory type games.
8. Color a picture.  Ask them what they would like to color and do a Google search for "______ coloring pages".  There are literally thousands available for download; all you need is a printer.
9. The old standby: Play Dough.  Always a good boredom buster!
10. Gather all the stuffed animals and play "zoo" or "animal doctor".  Another favorite around here is "store".  Each child makes a "store" stocked with various toys and items from around the house.  We all take turns buying from the store.

Do you have any tried-and-true boredom busters for those "sick days"?  Share your advice below in the Comments!

No comments:

Post a Comment