On the Mend
Cookbook Fun
As long as your child isn't nauseous, this will be an activity he might want to do again and again. Every child likes to help prepare food in the kitchen. And cookbooks are surprisingly entertaining to flip through—even for small children.
Give your kid a stack of sticky notes to mark ideas for future dinners and desserts. Who knows, you he might help you find a new favorite dish.
Go Fish, Solitaire and War
Break out a fresh deck of cards, and let your sick buddy play games like Go Fish, Solitaire, Speed or War. It beats being on the iPhone all day, and the kid might just learn to love the real thing. While these games might seem old-fashioned to today's kids, there is a definite benefit to knowing these classic card games, which have been around for generations.
Re-watch a Favorite Movie
Break out an oldie but goodie. "Watch a movie together, maybe one from when you were little and home for a sick day," says New York–based pediatric mental health specialist Stefanie Weiss. "For the little ones, oldies like Annie or Mary Poppins are always great," she adds. "For bigger kids, my personal fave is Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
Get Crafty
Choose a craft that can be made in a comfortable position, preferably one that allows your child to lie on the couch or in bed.
"Art projects are always perfect for kids. Mak[ing] Fruit Loop necklaces, decorat[ing] a picture frame, and painting can all be relaxing and take your kid's mind off how they are feeling," says Weiss.
Fun With Clay
There is a certain serenity that comes from working with clay. The finished product doesn't have to be perfect, and you can build and rebuild to your heart's content. Being sick can be stressful, so letting your child work out some of those feelings through the kneading process can be calming—and the possibilities are endless.
Fresh Air
As long as your child is well enough, you might want to take him out for a brief walk. If he can't handle the walk, a brief stint on the porch can do wonders. Fresh air helps clear the lungs and can give kids a much-needed burst of vitamin D from the sun. Fresh air is also an instant mood booster. Being cooped up in the house all day can be stressful for some children—and parents.
