Aren’t sick days the worst? I mean, as a child or a parent, that is. As a regular-old child-free adult (ah, those were the days, sob) taking a sick day meant dealing with some discomfort but mostly also napping, bingeing Netflix, and giving yourself a pedicure while bitching to your sister over the phone about how ridiculous your mom was that weekend.
But when you’re a kid, not so much. And when you’re an adult with a kid who’s home sick, forget it. Grit your teeth and buckle in, because as much as you love and feel bad for them, you can only bear so much snotty, sneezy whining. But thank your lucky stars and put down the Benadryl, because we have the answer. We’ve found ways to make sick days fun (yes, really). No more terrible daytime kids TV that all too quickly becomes the soundtrack to your nightmares. Here are 12 ideas to make your kid’s sick day, dare I say, actually enjoyable for (drumroll please…) both you and them.
Two words: Pillow fort
The downside of building your sons an epic fort? They will lose their minds if you ever try to take it down. 🤦♀️🤣 On the plus side, at least it’s not in my living room, like usual! I have a feeling I’m not getting these blankets back for a good long while.. 😆 • Currently working on a blog post detailing our TV fast and all the fun that’s being had because of it. 🙌 Hopefully, Ill have that up in a day or so! Is tv apart of your daily routine? Have you ever fasted from it?! Learning so much through this experience! ❤️ • • • • #homeschoolroom #playroom #homeschoolblogger #homeschoolblog #playroominspo #fortbuilding #letthembelittle #childrenunplugged #childhoodunplugged #wildandfree #charlottemason #playtolearn #playlearngrow #blog #blogger #screenfreekids #screenfree #childhood #motherhood #motherhoodunited #homeschoolmom #stayathomemom #stayathomemomlife #fort #boymom #boytribe
A post shared by a l l i s o n 📚🌿❤️💇🏼♀️ (@herheartshomeschool) on Oct 16, 2018 at 4:20pm PDT
There is something so special about camping out indoors. Take all the blankets and pillows you can find and make Frank Lloyd Wright proud. Comfy and cozy are key when your little one isn’t feeling up to snuff, so empty out the linen closet and go nuts. Might I suggest setting up in front of the television just as a backup.
Paperwork
I want to win a rainbow stacker from @thespeechbubbleco and you can too. Please like this pic little lady L loves loves loves rainbows and we really need this rainbow stacker in our lives. Flat lay inspired by theeee one and only @ibtesam_essa . No where near hers, but okay for a first attempt , minus the shadows 👀(me thinks ) . If you not following her ,which rock are you living under? Let me know cos I want to hide sometimes there also😂. Any way please like our pic and tell everyone,your mother’s sisters nieces cousin’s neighbors ,cousin brothers best friends mother. Which also happens to be aunty Gori 😂😂😂😂#thespeechbubleco#like#rainbows#kidsactvities#rainbowstacker#rainbow#coloring#kidscoloring #colour#rainbowflatlay#flatlay #flatlayforever #flatlaystyle #kids #kidsideas #southafrica#kidsflatlay#ecd #earlychildhoodeducation #finemotorskills #grossmotorskills #learningthroughplay#flatlaydaily #igersoftheday #igdaily
A post shared by the tiny humans and me (@the_tinyhumans_and_me) on Feb 7, 2019 at 4:23am PST
No, not the boring kind. Stash a few coloring books away for a rainy (i.e., sick) day or pull out some sudoku or even some word searches or Mad Libs. A good thing to think about are activities you would bring on a long car trip. Just like being confined to a car for a long time, if your kid is confined to their bed (or bathroom, yuck), similar activities will be good for a sick day.
Read some relatable books
Are your children staying healthy this holiday season? SHERM THE GERM, by Dr. John Hutton and illustrated by Maria Montag, explains the process of getting sick and going to the doctor for help. You can remind kids to stay healthy this holiday season by covering their mouths when they cough and washing their hands. . . . . . #bluemanateepress #shermthegerm #childrensbooks #kidlit #alwaysreading #readingtime #boardbooks #earlyreaders #earlyliteracy #bookstagram #amreading #healthy #babyhealth #germs #sick #doctor #earlyhealth #wednesdaywisdom #ipgbook
A post shared by blue manatee press (@bluemanateepress) on Dec 26, 2018 at 6:43am PST
Take a bath
💋Fully sealed? No moulds? Yes Yes 😘 The new bath Duckie from @playgrotoys is fully sealed so no more moulds inside your little one’s bath toys. Renee loves it and she gave her new bath Duckie a little kiss💋. .
A post shared by Renee (@little.pandababy) on Apr 15, 2019 at 4:48am PDT
Have a spa day
Let the steam of a shower help out their stuffy sinuses. Let them paint on the walls with shaving cream, wrap up in a robe, put cucumbers on their eyes, give their tootsies a rub with some lavender lotion; being sick is starting to look pretty good! Do something small that seems really fancy and special, like floating lemon slices in the bathtub or using a nice-smelling lotion. Cough, cough We’re sick too. Can we get in on the action?
Make ice pops
Life’s better when you’ve got your pops! Behold our Kombucha Popsicles that will keep you cool through the final dog days of summer. Get the recipe at the link in our bio 💛. #TasteTheGoodness⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #gourmetpopsicles #diypopsicles #kombuchapopsicles #summersnacks #booch #wonderdrink #kombucharecipe #snackig #summereats #igeats #healthytreats #foodgram #vegangram
A post shared by Wonder Drink Kombucha (@wonderdrink) on Aug 26, 2019 at 3:27pm PDT
A nice cold ice pop is sure to soothe their aching throats, but all that sugar can leave them feeling worse than before, so check out these delicious ice pop recipes that are so good, you might want to make an extra batch or two. Or three. Or four. Peach melba ice pops, swirled berry and yogurt ice pops, or banana, Nutella and salted pistachio ice pops, all from Deb Perelman, the genius behind Smitten Kitchen.
A sick-day box
Don’t fear, Sick Day Box is here! Everything you need for a day of rest and relaxation😌
A post shared by Sick Day Box (@sickdaybox) on Oct 15, 2017 at 3:33pm PDT
This requires a little planning ahead, but once every few months, it might be a good idea to throw together a sick-day box. Nothing fancy — just a few items that will make it so much easier to deal when your kid is home sick. And if you make it in advance, you won’t be panicked when you realize you have no tissues in the house but there is not a chance in hell you’re loading up your kid to go to the store. Items for the box can include a small stuffed animal, tissues, a new movie, a puzzle, hand sanitizer, crazy straws, an all-in-one craft kit and their favorite soup.
A bird feeder — no, I’m not kidding
“Oi, you better not have eaten all the good stuff!” #FridayFeeling #Robin #Photo #BirdPhotography #Feeder #Friday #Weekend #Morning #GetUp #Breakfast #BreakfastTime #Seeds #WindowFeeder #Outdoors #October #Autumn #Bird #RSPB
A post shared by RSPB Love Nature (@rspb_love_nature) on Oct 26, 2018 at 1:01am PDT
A tea party IRL
Imagination is the beginning of creation. George Bernard Shaw It’s so important to give kids a creative space and encourage them to dream, role play and imagine. They will surprise you with the brilliant ideas they come up with. Its amazing how time repeats itself, seeing Celine organize a tea party for her toys braught back so many memories of my own. #imagination #teaparty #childhood #kidsteaparty #parentingadvice #kidsplayroom #playtime #americangirl #nostalgicmoments
A post shared by Sandbox Girls (@sandboxgirls_cr) on Jan 21, 2020 at 11:49pm PST
Make sure it’s decaf (Lawd help you if you have a caffeinated child who’s physically and emotionally out of whack stuck at home for the day), but a little tea goes a long way in helping their sore throats. Add a dribble of honey and maybe serve some cookies, and you’re good to go. Just don’t forget that stuffed animals plus tea and cookies can often lead to a mess, so be sure to give bibs to those guests who need them. Looking at you, Mr. Snuggles.
Window markers
We love window markers! #windowmarkers #toddlerart #littleartists #fafffriday #ikeaplaykitchen
A post shared by Tasha Farrell (@natfar22) on Sep 8, 2019 at 12:46pm PDT
Shrinky Dinks
My new obsession! 💕 If you want me to make a tutorial on these charms, lemme know! 🤩👀 #shrinkplastic #charms #resin #keychain #shrinkydinks
A post shared by Michelle (@mishcrafts) on Jun 9, 2019 at 11:53am PDT
#ad A big kid inside me loves cartoons, so I decided to surprise Isabelle by getting the newly released How To Train Your Dragon 3 Walmart Exclusive Gift Set. She saw the first two movies at school and loved it, so it’s time to enjoy the third one together! There is a new GIRL dragon in the movie, and she falls in love. So cute! 🥰 . If your kiddo or nephew/niece are into the dragon theme or haven’t yet seen How To Train Your Dragon, head into @Walmart and purchase the new release of How To Train Your Dragon 3 Walmart Exclusive Gift Set today! I guarantee they’ll be super happy! You can also find themed apparel and toys at @Walmart. I ended up getting a cute plush blanket. Btw, the exclusive DVD gift set includes 2 Funko keychains. I carry one myself now 🙈 How is your Thursday so far? 😉 #TrainYourDragonAtWalmart #PMedia . . . #smileisit #timewithkids #qualitytimewithkids #nycmoms #nycmom #momsofinsta #momsofny #mommyandmetime #cartoontime #movietime🎬 #kidsmovienight #happykidshappymom #feelinghappy😊
A post shared by Yana | Life One Day at a Time (@smileisit) on May 30, 2019 at 11:23am PDT
Netflix is your best friend
If all else fails, Netflix is your best friend. Find a show you both can stand, a children’s movie you loved as a child, or something new. Feel better soon!
A version of this story was originally published in November 2018.
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