10 Simple, Entertaining Sick-Day Activities for Children

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Looking for sick day activities for kids to keep you and your little ones from climbing the walls when they’re too sick to go to school, but not sick enough to spend the day in bed? We’ve rounded up 10 fabulous and fun DIY activities you and your children can enjoy at home over a cup of chicken noodle soup. Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, these activities will be a lifesaver this cold and flu season!

One of the worst parts of living in the northern hemisphere, in my opinion anyway, is cold and flu season.

I hate it.

But after spending the first few years of my daughter’s life hiding out at home all winter, I have come to realize that life is much better when it’s spent LIVING, so I’m determined not to let a little snot and vomit get in the way of my family having a good time year-round.

So in addition to sending my child off to public school this past September, I’ve also signed her up for various after school activities, and I’ve stocked my purse with hand sanitizer and Ativan to help me get through it.

And for those days when my daughter is too unwell to leave the house and her toys and beloved iPad have lost their sparkle, I’m equipped with 3 great books – 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments, and 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids – as well as many other great activities for sick kids that don’t require a lot of brain power to keep the 2 of us from climbing the walls.

Here are some of my favorites!

1. If your little one is stuck on the couch, why not make one of these rainbow rice eye spy bottles by Pink and Green Mama to keep her entertained?

2. Set your kids up with some bathtub fun, like this bathtub ice fishing activity I found on Bath Activities for Kids!

3. Setup a tent in your living room and enjoy some of these camping activities by Fun-A-Day!

4. Assuming your child isn’t queasy, why not work on her hand-eye coordination with this game of balloon tennis I found on Toddler Approved?

5. If your little one has a head cold, get out the eucalyptus oil (helps to clear stuffy noses and is very soothing) and try some of these therapeutic winter play activities I found on Growing a Jeweled Rose.

6. If you’re desperate for a few minutes to get some chores done, why not set up one of these awesome indoor scavenger hunts I found on No Time for Flash Cards? They’re sure to be a bit!

7. If your kids like busy bags as much as mine does, you will LOVE this collection of 20 busy bag ideas for preschoolers I found on Second Story Window!

8. Get creative and help your kids build a track with masking tape like Kids Activities Blog recommends!

9. If your child needs some quiet time, but refuses to sleep, why not throw on a movie and set him up with some of these fantastic sponge blocks by Inner Child Fun?

10. If your little one has a fever, why not let her run around in her underwear, create a beach day in your kitchen, and make some of this ridiculously easy sticky sand dough I found on Growing a Jeweled Rose to keep her occupied while you enjoy some…ahem…adult popsicles?

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