Keeping sick kiddos busy

Wood Sprite has bronchitis! We were around people mowing grass twice last weekend and it seems to have triggered an allergic reaction that just got out of hand. The doctor says she may have asthma but we won’t know unless it comes back again. So for now, I’ve got her inside, resting and taking her medicine—and she’s going nuts. We both are. We’re not used to being home or not doing much for a whole week!

We tried a couple of movie days. I dug out a bunch of old VHS Disney movies but she can’t watch more than one without getting restless and I totally don’t blame her. So I’ve been doing my best keeping her busy with quiet activities. Here are a few things we’ve done; how do you keep your kiddos entertained when they are sick?

Nest-building: I made her a “nest” in the floor with pillows and blankets so she could snuggle with some stuffed animals and play pretend quietly.

Reading: We’ve gone through a whole pile of library books and then some.

Painting: I bet she’s painted 100 pictures over the past week!

Games: We’ve played chess, Candyland and Sorry.

Storytelling: I’ve cuddled with her in her bed and mine, and we tell each other stories. I have had to use 4 pillows to prop her up because the coughs are so bad, poor thing.

Letters: She’s dictated a couple of pen pal letters to me since she’s been sick.

Cars: She got a pile of her Hotwheels cars out and we’ve been playing with them in the floor.

Photo courtesy of Wood Sprite