5 Ways To Make Sick Days Special

This cold and flu season has been miserable for our family. In the past month it’s been passed around… back and forth. ICK! We are ready to be well. But I will admit we certainly enjoyed those snuggle filled, quiet sick days.

Children’s Mucinex is running a three part series helping parents prevent illness and then keep their kids smiling even on sick days! This is part two of the series… check out Hand Washing Fun (and learning) if you missed it. At the end of the last post I asked readers what they do to keep their little ones smiling on sick days. I used those answers to help shape this post! Thanks for the great ideas!

5 ways to make sick days special

1. Keep a stash of new coloring books, crayons and colored pencils especially for sick days. It will give your little one something to look forward to and will be fun to look through as they get older.

2. Make a birds nest with blankets and pillows. Enjoy some baby bird pampering and resting. Doesn’t that sound especially cuddly? What a perfect place to recoup.

Children’s Mucinex

3. Try out a simple science experiment that takes very little prep and very little energy. We did this science experiment on Big M’s last sick day. Use three cups of water put blue food coloring in one, yellow in the other and leave the center cup clear. Connect the cups with paper towels. All that’s left is to wait. Since this project takes so long it’s perfect for the poor sickie to peek at when they get up to go to the bathroom or feel like stretching their legs a bit. I’m not going to tell you what happens… but it’s cool! Tips: 1. Use A LOT of food coloring. The brighter the colors the better the final product. 2. We left ours up for over 24 hours and there was change all the way through.

4. Make it a screen day. Since sick days are the kind of days that make it hard to get off the couch it’s a great time to extend screen time a bit. Watch a few shows together or introduce your little one to a movie you loved as a kid.

5. Bring out some books they haven’t seen in a while. We have special holiday books that are put up for most of the year. Sick days are perfect days to bring out these books and enjoy some of our family favorites. Plus it’s fun to think about holidays any time of year!

  What activity makes your child smile when they are under the weather? 

SWEEPSTAKES

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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This sweepstakes runs from 2/6/2013 – 3/31/2013

 

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123 Responses to 5 Ways To Make Sick Days Special

  1. Kelly D says:

    My kids like to color together or work on word searches or mazes when they are not feeling well.

  2. Mami2jcn says:

    My daughter loves doing puzzles!

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

  3. Elena says:

    My son likes watching his favorite cartoons

  4. Aubrey says:

    We love snuggling on the couch watching a fun kids movie! The science experiment looks awesome!

  5. Amanda says:

    Similar to your “nest” idea, I create a “sick bed” for my daughter on the sofa. I lay a blanket or comforter over the seat and back of the sofa, then fold the blanket over her creating a cocoon of sorts. I make a big deal out of it and it comforts her having a sick bed. I also let her drink a lot of juice to keep fluids in her. She normally gets to drink very little juice, so this is special to her.

  6. Angela says:

    I hit the library for sick days – NEW Books are always a welcome as we cuddle on the sofa.

  7. Erika says:

    Lots of snuggles! :)

  8. Elaine says:

    These are our favorites:
    Button box: sort and play in various ways
    Stick and peel dioramas [like Melissa and Doug scenes]
    Magic painting books: painting with water so color appears
    Playdoh

  9. upasana biswal says:

    my son loves to play angry birds so we draw, color and play some more on sick days and always keep a few leappad games to keep him busy and occupied

  10. Margaret Smith says:

    Usually my kids like to lay on the couch with a bunch of pillows and a special cuddle blanket and they like to watch special movies that they pick out.

  11. Tiffany Winner says:

    watching cartoons all day
    thismomwins@gmail.com

  12. Lisa Brown says:

    When we spend time reading together, or doing any other craft projects at home, and television, they always feel better.
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

  13. D SCHMIDT says:

    My older son really enjoys playing with Moon Sand and Play Doh especially when unwell.

  14. Stephanie V. says:

    frozen yogurt – I always get them their favorite flavor at the yogurt store and they love it! (and perfect for those sore throats)
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

  15. Tamar says:

    My son likes watching Doc McStuffins!!!

  16. rachel says:

    Eating frozen yogurt and enjoying a move is always a hit.

  17. Kathleen says:

    Reading books together

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  18. courtney b says:

    my daughter loves reading a good pop up book or a book that talks:)

  19. Lots and lots of snuggling, holding and hugging.

  20. sandra says:

    puzzles

  21. Rebecca Graham says:

    Doing puzzles and making crafts helps.

  22. cw says:

    We make vitamin C boost smoothies together, snuggle and watch cartoons/read together

  23. Jessie C. says:

    They love coloring or watching cartoons.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  24. Chelsea says:

    He likes playing Super Nintendo games when he is sick.

  25. Kim D. says:

    My kids just like to stay in bed and watch their favorite cartoons or play on the ipad.
    mom22girlz at ymail dot com

  26. Wynne says:

    Making tea with lots of honey. Celestial Seasonings has one called Sleepytime Sinus Soother that we call “nose tea.”

  27. Sarah Hirsch says:

    my kids like to watch movies or tv in my bed when they are sick

  28. Sarah Hirsch says:

    when my kids are sick they like to lay in bed and watch tv or movies

  29. tara pittman says:

    They love watching movies.

  30. nannypanpan says:

    painting or paper crafting
    nannypanpan@gmail.com

  31. steph says:

    he’s only 3 months but he loves to fly “airplane”!

  32. marybeth i says:

    we love movies, reading or the ipad when we are sick :)

  33. Rosanne says:

    Banana popscles

  34. tammigirl says:

    When under the weather there’s nothing my kids like more than to lie around and watch their favorite videos.
    tammigirl recently posted..I Don’t Know Why

  35. LaDonna Gay says:

    my children love watching home movies when they are sick

  36. Laura Jacobson says:

    Oh Carter always loves when I read books to him when he is not feeling well! Always his favorite!
    landfjacobson @ charter.net

  37. Tina M says:

    playing video game with daddy

  38. Reading books with me (or listening to me read)! Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

  39. danielle lima says:

    watching cartoons with me

  40. Betty Baez says:

    drawing on their easel

  41. dan williams says:

    twitted this today, 18/03

  42. HilLesha says:

    My son loves playing with his LEGOs. :)
    HilLesha recently posted..Heidi Klum’s Truly Scrumptiou​s

  43. HilLesha says:

    My son loves playing with his LEGOs and dinosaurs. :)
    HilLesha recently posted..Heidi Klum’s Truly Scrumptiou​s

  44. Cathy Truman says:

    Watching funny movies and chicken noodle soup.

  45. PAIGE CHANDLER says:

    My daughter loves to watch The Parent Trap in her room over and over again when she feels crummy. She knows the words by heart.

  46. Stephanie V. says:

    eating frozen yogurt!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

  47. soha molina says:

    Reading a book keeps her happy.

  48. Jacob LaFountaine says:

    I have no kids but I enjoyed puzzle books when i felt down

  49. Julie G says:

    My daughter likes it when I pull out the “rainy day” craft bucket on sick days.

  50. Wild Orchid says:

    My son loves to cuddle with me and his favorite blanket while watching his favorite movies when he is feeling under the weather.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com

  51. Cynthia C says:

    A game of Scrabble usually made them smile.

  52. Linda Lansford says:

    we watch TV

  53. betty says:

    When kids are sick, it’s hard to get smiles. When they really feel bad we bring out the fuzzy blanket and read their old fave books. If they are up to it, we play a board game but usually watching tv and falling asleep gets them the rest they need.

  54. steve weber says:

    we color!

  55. Stephanie Larison says:

    Us playing puzzles together.

  56. betty says:

    When really sick, my kids were happy to snuggle in the fuzzy blanket and we’d read their old fave books. Older kids were still soothed by listening to those beloved toddler bedtime stories. When we were in the getting over it phase, they liked coloring and board games.

  57. Barbara Montag says:

    The kids love watching movies on Netflix when they’re not feeling the best.
    Thank you.

  58. maria cantu says:

    My kids like to watch cartoons.

  59. Anastasia says:

    If staying home from school weren’t enough to make them smile, then being taken care of, made comfortable and getting to watch their favorite shows on tv always does :)

  60. Emily says:

    My son enjoys watching a Dora marathon.

  61. Joni Mason says:

    When My 2 year old grandson is sick , I go to his house and he snuggles up to me for a day of watching Dumbo and Sesame Street.

  62. gina says:

    Snuggles, watching Caillou & popsicles.

  63. Leighann says:

    our kids like to watch tv and eat soup when they’re under the weather.

  64. Tara Perez says:

    When my kids are sick I can always make them smile by cuddling with them on the couch and watching Americas funniest child videos!

  65. playing on the ipad
    Thanks! Janna JOhnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc

  66. Nadine L says:

    A funny movie while snuggled together always brings a smile. Laughter always seems to make her feel better

  67. Debbie B says:

    laying on the couch watching movies

  68. Marseira Noiloel says:

    Pampering and resting makes my children smile when they are under the weather.

  69. Nancy says:

    We usually put in movies since they normally don’t get to watch them. Leaving TV and movies for special times only makes it so they really enjoy watching it when the opportunity comes along.

  70. ky2here says:

    changing the bed sheets with them in the bed is always a hit.

    good thing that CNA training means something, huh?

    ky2here at msn dot com

  71. joni says:

    The game Uno Attack.
    dolniaks at consolidated dot net

  72. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says:

    They like it when I read books to them!

  73. Becky Horn says:

    We just stay in and read books, play games etc.
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

  74. Chad H says:

    Disney movies and snuggling help lift the kiddos spirits when they are down.

  75. Amy Tong says:

    Painting makes my kids smile whenever they are under the weather. I’m not a good painter myself though. So, they must have got their artistic genes from daddy! LOL

    amy [at] utry [dot] it
    Amy Tong recently posted..Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Photography Backdrops

  76. Maureen says:

    They like to have someone read to then while drinking hot chocolate and then to play games like puzzles.

  77. Jill L says:

    Cuddles from mom and some ginger ale. She never gets pop so it’s a big deal.

  78. Gloria S says:

    playing with her dog

  79. sy says:

    My little cousin likes to make storybooks, we also keep a stash of coloring pens and paper. She also likes to watch tv when she’s feeling sick, I like the extra cuddle :D
    songyueyu at gmail

  80. Marcia Goss says:

    When my granddaughter is under the weather, she likes to snuggle on the couch with her blankets and pillow and watch a movie.

  81. diane Baum says:

    My sons love to snuggle with Dr. Seuss books

  82. Lynn says:

    Card games or puzzles!

  83. Harmony B says:

    Watching movies and playing with dads tablet. Keeps them happy and resting

  84. angie lilly says:

    I don’t have kids but can remember when I was sick myself as a kid my dad would bring me home a new Barbie doll or He-Man figurine and it was always the highlight of being sick! LOL

  85. Samantha Daleo says:

    When my daughter is under the weather we pull out the sketch pad and colored pencils and draw together while watching her favorite movies.

    Thanks!
    Samantha
    Jamesmadison1974@gmail.com

  86. Samantha Daleo says:

    When my daughter is under the weather we pull out the sketch pad and colored pencils and draw together.

    Thanks!
    Samantha
    Jamesmadison1974@gmail.com

  87. Daniel M says:

    video games, books and movies!

  88. when my little one is underthe weather he loves hearing his favorite stories

    teechbiz at gmail dot com

  89. Sean says:

    Snuggles and sherbet ice cream always does the trick.

    seanm 1999 at hotmail dot com

  90. There is no activity that makes her smile when she is sick except watching Wizard of Oz. Luckily, she doesn’t get sick very often. When she does she just lays on the couch.
    Kimberly Hilbert recently posted..I Just Joined Smiley360

  91. s riches says:

    They like to help me make homemade chicken soup because it makes the whole house smell good.

  92. Erica Best says:

    my nephew love to bake when he is sick

  93. limepink says:

    Movies!!!

  94. Kenny F says:

    doing puzzles

  95. kathy pease says:

    playing the game i spy with objects in the room made my kids feel better

  96. Sarah L says:

    I like to shop at the dollar store for small things that make kids happy. Surprises make life fun.
    Thanks for the contest.

  97. Danny Rubio says:

    I’m I going to miss out on another giveaway/sweepstakes, I hope snot!
    But if I’m feeling snotie, Mucinex is my 1st choice!

    Thank you…Single Dad Danny

    motoxmanager@hotmail.com

  98. Brenda Elsner says:

    My kids like to snuggle up and watch movies when they are sick.

  99. ANGEL JACKLYN says:

    GETTING POP AND ICE CREAM (IF THAT COUNTS… IT’S PRETTY BIG AROUND HERE)

  100. charity s says:

    Popcorn crafts & anything that he can paint.

  101. Kayla says:

    We play board games together.

  102. Shirley Zolenski says:

    She likes to color when she is sick

  103. Kari Flores says:

    A warm bath & Hot Chicken Noodle Soup.

  104. Katharina says:

    Books, games, and extra time together!
    Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com

  105. My daughter loves it if I let her watch a TV show when she’s sick.
    BusyWorkingMama recently posted..List & Promote Your #Giveaway – 3/30

  106. wendy rozema says:

    coloring books/sticker books & watching TV in bed!
    wendywynsma@gmail.com

  107. Kathryn C says:

    jiffy pop popcorn popper

  108. Pauline M says:

    For my son, he just wants to cuddle with me on the couch while watching his favorite cartoon!

  109. cassandra says:

    I would have to say coloring and watching movies!

  110. Susan Smith says:

    My daughter likes to read and watch her favorite movies.

  111. Gina Ferrell says:

    Watching movies and eating popsicles

  112. Gianna says:

    Favorite treats, toys and movies.

  113. heather c says:

    Rediscovering toys not played with in months, drawing or watching pokemon!

  114. laurie says:

    we like to color together

  115. Nicole Larsen says:

    Cuddling, watching movies and having ice cream :)

  116. tabathia b says:

    watching tv or arts and craft

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  117. Amanda Sakovitz says:

    watching movies and peanut butter and marshmallows sandwiches.

    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

  118. anash says:

    my kids love to watch videos when they are under the weather! Thanks for a super giveaway!

  119. betty says:

    I agree with your suggestion to bring out books they haven’t seen lately. I think the old faves are reassuring; they snuggle up and listen to Dr Seuss tales they haven’t heard in 2 years and it really does make them smile

  120. Thomas Murphy says:

    ice cream and disney movies

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

  121. meme says:

    They love to snuggle and listen to me make up stories about them and their stuffed animals

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