Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
You’ve already stocked up on medicines and other tools to keep your kiddos as comfortable as possible when they’re recovering from colds, stomach bugs, or whatever else they caught at school. Now you need to focus on alleviating the boredom that comes with staying inside. Here are some options to keep them entertained.
Activity books to have in your back pocket…
Already used up all the coloring books in the house? We like keeping a few of these packed away somewhere, to pull out on unexpected sick days. Kids can snuggle in under a blanket and search for hundreds of hidden pictures in each book. ($24.99/pack of 4, Amazon)
A good old-fashioned puzzle…
Depending on the age and ambition of the patient in question, try a 35-piece, 100-piece, or 1,000-piece puzzle as a distraction. Leave it out somewhere so that everyone can jump in and help out. ($16.99+, Amazon)
And puzzles you’ll want to display after they’re finished…
This brand has tons of junior puzzles to keep your little one entertained. The best part about them? The unique and colorful graphics that’ll double as artwork to hang in your kids’ bedrooms after they’re done. Use code THESKIMM20 for 20% off your order. ($29, Jiggy)
A tabletop art station…
This travel easel is great, even if your little one’s only traveling from the couch to the kitchen table and back again. Stocked with colored pencils, crayons, markers, chalk, and more, this has everything you need to encourage creativity wherever you are. ($34.68, Amazon)
A “reverse coloring book” for creative types…
It’s not all about the little ones: if you have some under-the-weather bigger kids in the house, they might enjoy a little artistic entertainment, too. This fun spin on a coloring book provides pre-colored pages, ready for its new owner to add lines and patterns as they see fit. ($10.99, Amazon)
A screen-free speaker for their favorite tunes…
If you need a little help in the entertainment department but don’t want to leave the TV on all day, a Toniebox might be just what you’re looking for. Kids can collect different figurines that unlock their favorite stories and songs — there’s something for everyone, whether they’re into princesses, cars, Cocomelon, or the Laurie Berkner Band. Buy a “Creative-Tonie” and you can even record your own material. ($99.99, Amazon)
A big Magna-Tiles construction set…
Nothing like a long day stuck at home to build (and re-build) a brand new city. These magnetic tiles are colorful, well-made, and easy to create with — so get ready to design anything from a castle to a garage. ($129.99, Amazon)
High-quality dress-up outfits that can go in the wash…
Whether you’ve got a mini prince, princess, pirate, or other magical character on your hands, chances are Little Adventures has a costume they’ll appreciate. These are well-made and, importantly, easy to clean when everyone’s feeling better. ($17.99+, Amazon)
A playset to help banish doctor fears…
Remind your little one what to expect from his or her doctor appointment with this Fisher-Price kit that has a syringe, otoscope, stethoscope, thermometer, and more. Chances are you’ll become the (pretend) patient soon enough. ($13.50, Amazon)
A big stuffed animal (or…stuffed stack of pancakes)…
Cuddles may not cure everything, but they certainly won’t hurt. And there aren’t many stuffed animals out there that are cuddlier than Squishmallows. Pick a 16-inch one for max coziness. ($24.99, Target)
A tablet designed for kids 3-7…
Sometimes, you might just need some serious screen time to keep everyone preoccupied. We love the Fire Kids tablet because of its parental controls, ad-free games, and pre-screened content that lets your kids feel free to explore. For older kids, try a Fire for ages 6-12 or an iPad. ($149.99, Amazon)
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.