Engaging Activities for Children in Hospitals or When Sick: From Crafts to Video Games
February 01, 2023
Keeping Children Occupied in Hospitals or When Sick
Hospitals and sickness can be a difficult and boring experience for children, especially if they have to stay for extended periods of time. However, there are many ways to keep them occupied and entertained to help pass the time.
Craft Activities:
Craft activities are a great way to keep children occupied and engaged, and they can also be therapeutic and help to reduce stress. Here are some fun and easy craft activities that can be done in a hospital or at home when children are sick:
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Paper Plate Animals: All you need is paper plates, paint, and some creativity. Children can paint their paper plates to look like their favorite animals and hang them on the wall for decoration.
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Popsicle Stick Picture Frames: Children can decorate popsicle sticks with paint, stickers, and other materials to create a picture frame for their favorite photos.
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Beaded Bracelets: Children can make their own beaded bracelets using elastic string and colorful beads. This is a great activity for fine motor skills and can also help with hand-eye coordination.
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Tissue Paper Flowers: Children can create their own tissue paper flowers by stacking different colored tissue paper and folding it into a flower shape. They can then use these flowers to decorate their hospital room or make a bouquet to brighten up a sick friend’s room.
KeepEmQuiet Entertainment Packs:
KeepEmQuiet entertainment packs are a great way to help children stay entertained and occupied while they are in the hospital or when they are sick at home. These packs come with a variety of games, puzzles, coloring books, and other activities that are specifically designed for children. The best part is that the packs are compact and portable, so children can take them with them wherever they go. They contain items such as craft kits which are not only mess-free but also the incorporate some of the ideas above. These packs are NHS doctor approved, because we have had NHS and private doctors and nurses order our busy bags to keep the children entertained whilst on the ward or if sent home and on bed care in the comfort of their home. We are actively working with the NHS supply chain to supply our packs directly to NHS children's wards and this is a work in progress, watch this space!
Reading and Storytelling:
Reading is a great way to pass the time and help children escape reality, even if it's just for a little while. Encourage children to bring along their favorite books, or you can even provide them with new books to read while they are in the hospital. If the child is too young to read on their own, consider reading to them or having them listen to an audio book. Storytelling is also a fun activity that can be done in the hospital or at home. Children can make up their own stories or retell their favorite ones.
Board Games and Puzzle:
Playing board games and doing puzzles can be a great way to keep children entertained and also help improve their problem solving and critical thinking skills. Children can play classic games like Monopoly, Connect Four, or Snakes and Ladders, or try out new games that they haven't played before. Puzzles are also a great option, as they can be done individually or with a partner. You can find puzzles in a variety of levels of difficulty to accommodate children of all ages.
Arts and Crafts:
Arts and crafts are a great way to keep children occupied and provide them with a sense of accomplishment. There are many different types of arts and crafts activities that children can do, including painting, drawing, sculpting, and more. Encourage children to be creative and let their imaginations run wild. They can even make gifts for family and friends to brighten up their day.
Video Games:
Video games can be a great way to keep children entertained and pass the time. If the child is in the hospital, they can play games on their handheld gaming device or tablet, Nintendo Switch is a good choice for all avid gamers. If you want a fully immersive experience then perhaps the Meta Quest 2 would be a good idea but they need space to move around. Video games can also be a fun way for children to connect with their friends and family, as they can play multiplayer games together. If they are an active child and able to move around, the old Nintendo Wii is a great choice as it's interactive and gets the children moving.
Indoor Games and Exercises:
Playing indoor games and doing exercises can help children stay active and engaged, even when they are in the hospital or at home sick. Games like charades, 20 questions, and Simon says are fun and easy to play, and don't require any special equipment. Exercises like yoga, stretching, and even dance can also be done indoors and are a great way to get moving.
In conclusion, there are many ways to keep children occupied and entertained while they are in the hospital or when they are sick at home. Encourage children to be creative, engage in physical activities, and connect with their friends and family. Keeping children entertained and engaged will help make their hospital or sick experience a little bit brighter and more manageable. The important thing is to find activities that the child enjoys and is interested in, as this will help keep them occupied and engaged for longer periods of time.
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