Whether it's due to a long term illness or a case of the flu, kids confined to bed rest can become cranky, restless and just plain miserable. Who can blame them? Kids are wired for play. They love to be busy at all times, even when they're not feeling well. These old fashioned activities for sick kids will easily entertain them without wearing them out or making them feel worse. Video games get boring after a while. Why not introduce them to something different?
Activity books are great fun for sick kids. The little ones can color and do dot to dots. Older kids can do crossword puzzles, sudoku and brain teasers. These are quiet activities for bedridden children. They don't sit still often. Likely they will look at these things as something new and different. Of course, there will be the occasional cranky kid who thinks things like this are stupid. Don't make a fuss when that happens. Just move on to the next idea.
Blanket land
Blanket land is a fun place for bedridden kids. It's a make believe world of their own creation where they can play with dolls, toy soldiers or whatever else is on hand. When I was a kid, I used to play with marbles in the lumps and bumps of blanket land. I made them hills to slide down. I just had an absolute ball. Little boys can turn blanket land into enemy terrain for their toy soldiers. Little girls can have a pretend island for Barbie dolls. Just show them how to make hills and valleys in blanket land, hand them some toys and disappear. Imagination works best unobserved.
Cards and games
Activities for sick kids should always include some card or board games. Kids can play in blanket land with game pieces too. Stop by the sick room to play a game with your child in between household chores. You have to check in on them from time to time anyway. Why not make it a happy visit? This is a good time to teach kids how to play solitaire. Bedridden kids can take a breather from being entertained to entertain themselves. Sometimes modern day kids (and even parents) forget that old fashioned imaginary play is essential for emotional growth.
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