Being home sick for long periods of time can present many challenges. One of them is boredom. Resting in one room watching TV or having screen time can make kids tired and crabby when it goes on for too long. Here are some ideas to make things interesting:
- Felt board – These are great for story telling. You can buy the shapes or cut out your own. The same goes for the board – buy one or cover the top of a pizza box with felt.
- Make cards and send – Your child may be cards but making them for others can help your child stay connected and be proud of themselves – they can be sent to friends, grandparents, even people in the military.
- Pencils with Attitude – decorate the ends of pencils with pom poms, glue, googly eyes, glitter.
- Magnets on a magnetic tray – Use a cookie sheet or buy a board and various magnets.
- Make up stories – You can do a running story where one person starts the story and then the other person continues it. It can be verbal, written, or recorded. Or your child can record stories on your phone and send it to a grandparent.
Match ideas to your child’s energy level. Don’t make it overwhelming. Encourage your child to use his/her creativity in coming up with other ideas. The whole family can get creative and make a list of ideas. Your child may even enjoy planning out a list of materials and steps.
Enlist the help of family members and friends so it doesn’t add to your pressure. For example, maybe a crafty friend or an older child who can do a craft with your child while you take a nap or read a book to recharge.
Creativity raises positive emotions in your child and that’s good for everybody!