We have all been there; that pounding head, those aches and shivers, the need to just crawl under the covers and sleep off that bug! But for that, we need simple activities for kids to do when Mom is sick.
I have found some simple activities for kids to do when Mom is sick just for you. Save this page.
Bookmark it for when that day comes — because goodness me you will be so, so happy you did.
If you are healthy right now, you might consider taking a minute or two to prepare one of these activities. Your sick Mama self will just love you for it!
And if you are reading this because you are already a sick Mama, I’m sending you a virtual hug, kleenex, and a cup of tea along with these ideas. Hang in there Mama and today focus on taking care of you. Use the TV, pop on a movie, no guilt today – only self-care.
Here are some simple activities for kids to do when Mom is sick. It is my sincere hope that they will help you get through your illness.
For you with oodles of love:
A Puzzle with Quiet Time Blocks – Kids can grab their quiet blocks, a pencil, and some paper before jumping into this independent activity. They can build and make puzzles for each other, all with quiet blocks so mama can rest.
Paper Chain Jewelry Quiet Bin – Pull out this easy-peasy quiet bin if you’re sick one day. The kids use strips of paper to make their own bracelets, necklaces, and crowns. Low-maintenance and minimal prep.
Geo Board Bath Mat – You only need two items to set up this fine motor math activity for the kids, which makes it one of the fabulous simple activities for kids to do when Mom is sick!
Q-Tip Maze – The kids can use some toys and cotton swabs for this easy and quiet activity. Perhaps one child can build the maze, and the other kids can be challenged to see how quickly they can complete it.
Invitation to Create Sticker Drawings from Childhood 101 – So simple, but with so many open-ended possibilities. The kids can use stickers and pencils to make their own drawings.
Box Drawing from Berry Sweet Baby – Give the kids an empty cardboard box and some markers or crayons. Let them draw all over the outside, and they can even climb in and decorate it.
Stacking Cups from Adventures and Play – Let the kids go crazy stacking and building with plastic or paper cups you have in the kitchen.
Cardboard Tubes and Elastic Hair Bands from Craftulate – Go through the recycling bin and grab a few hair bands from your stash. The kids can entertain themselves while practicing their fine motor skills quietly.
Building with Paper Strips from Toddler Approved – All the children need here is a lot of strips of paper. They can create their own pieces of art with the strips. Older children can make letters and words with the strips, too.
Scooping Pompoms from Buggy and Buddy – Pull out the pompoms and some items from the kitchen for this simple, open-ended activity. The children can scoop and sort the pompoms while mama is getting better.
Engineering with Straws from Fireflies and Mud Pies – Pull our the play dough and some straws. Then let the little engineers get to work.
Drawing on the Table from Hands On As We Grow – Such a quick and easy set up, and it keeps kids of all ages entertained for quite some time.
Cookie Making Pretend Play from Fun-A-Day – Grab some items from the kitchen and let the kids pretend to make their own gingerbread man cookies (or any other baking creations they want to try).
Washi Tape Lego Duplo from No Time for Flash Cards – Add some easy, creative fun to the Duplo you already have at home.
Make Words with Sticky Notes from Creative Family Fun – A stack of sticky notes and a pen or pencil is all that’s needed to set up this activity. What kid doesn’t love free reign with sticky notes?
Color Sorting with Foam Blocks from Stay at Home Educator – Colorful foam blocks are perfect for a quiet, independent activity. The kids can sort, stack, and even make patterns with the blocks. Simple activities for kids to do when Mom is sick also must be QUIET after all.
Snack Math from Fun-A-Day – Print out the snack math cards. Then let the kids count and learn while they’re having an afternoon snack.
Color Block Puzzles from Simple Play Ideas – Make some simple puzzles for the kids using Lego or Duplos. Even better, let the kids make the puzzles for each other.
Sticky Window Mural from Parenting Chaos – Tape some Contact paper to a window or a sliding glass door. Let the kids add bits of paper to it over and over again.
Pompom Drop with Recyclables from Teach Me Mommy – Tape cardboard tubes to a sliding glass door or the refrigerator. Let the kids sort and drop pompoms, and they can also rearrange the tubes for different variations.
I hope these activities give you a few more minutes of peace and rest when you need them most.
Being sick is rotten at the best of times – but being sick when you are still responsible for little people is a whole new level of rotten.
I am hopeful you are reading this ‘just in case’ – in which case, yeah you! Look at you being so prepared!
But if you happen to be reading this because you need these simple activities for kids to do now more than ever, hang in there. This too shall pass. Ask for help if at all possible, and if not, be sure to take every chance you can to care for yourself.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you are having a fabulous (and healthy) week.
Fun ideas! But you have to prep most of these ahead of time (or at least have the stuff), and they are all beyond my 14-month-old’s development level (I’m still working on getting him to play with crayons without immediately trying to eat them).
Oh yes! Those tiny toddlers are so tricky to keep entertained when you are not feeling well! My best trick for children that young is to make yourself a cozy spot next to the bathtub and let them play in the tub! xo