Doodlebark
When kids are sick, they don’t want to run around, but they also get bored fast. These quiet activities help the hours pass while they rest. Always follow your doctor’s advice about care and rest.
Cozy, low-energy ideas
- Make a “sick day nest.” Pillows, a favorite blanket and stuffed animals on the couch.
- Audiobooks and read-alongs. They can rest their eyes and still enjoy a story.
- Coloring pages. Easy to do lying down with a clipboard.
- Sticker books. No mess, no cleanup.
- Puzzles on a tray. Big pieces for little kids.
- Simple card games. Go Fish or a matching game in bed.
- Look at old photos. Kids love seeing baby pictures of themselves.
- Play with play dough on a tray. Good for little hands that need something to do.
- Window watching. Count cars, birds or dogs going by.
Keep a sick day box
Here’s a trick a lot of parents swear by: keep a small box of things kids only get to use on sick days. Because they don’t see it often, it feels special. Ideas:
- A new coloring book and crayons
- A reusable sticker book
- A small puzzle
- A deck of kids’ cards
- A favorite movie or two
Things to have on hand
- A good thermometer
- Kid-friendly tissues
- A cool-mist humidifier
- Popsicles and drinks they like
- Any medicine your pediatrician recommends for your child’s age
Don’t forget the grown-up
Sick days are hard on parents too. Order the easy dinner. Let the laundry wait. Rest when they rest. It’s okay if the day is mostly couch time.
When to call the doctor depends on your child’s age and symptoms, so if you’re unsure, call your pediatrician’s office or nurse line.
Questions parents ask
What can a sick child do in bed?
Quiet things like coloring with a clipboard, sticker books, puzzles on a tray, audiobooks and simple card games.
What is a sick day box?
It’s a small box of special activities kids only get to use on sick days, like a new coloring book or sticker book. Because it’s rare, it feels exciting.
When should I call the doctor for a sick child?
It depends on your child’s age and symptoms. If you’re unsure, call your pediatrician’s office or nurse line.