5 Easy At-Home Activities for Little Ones to Do on Sick Days Off
As winter approaches, cold and flu season is in full swing. With viruses spreading across the country, many sick kids are staying home from daycares and preschools. If you’re facing an isolation period for your baby or toddler and wondering how on earth you’ll entertain them, you’re certainly not alone. Let us help! Below, we’ve rounded up five activities for little ones—one for each day of the week—that use items already found in the home and are easy to do (even if you or baby are a little under the weather). Check them out below.
Cereal Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are containers full of items with various textures, shapes and colors. Not only do they help support baby’s development—including fine motor skills, attention span, self-calming skills and sensory processing—but they’re also incredibly easy to make. For this activity, simply fill a bin with baby-safe cereal. Niki of Play and Learn Every Day recommends adding in different-sized scoops for added fun and learning.
Want more sensory bin ideas? Check them out here.
Coffee Filter Tulip Suncatcher
When stuck inside with a toddler, craft projects are a great way to pass the time. This one from There’s Just One Mommy calls for materials you likely already have at home, like coffee filters, markers, a squirt bottle and construction paper. Not only will your tot be entertained for a good long while making these suncatchers, but you’ll also be left with a beautiful creation to brighten your windows.
Check out these other engaging toddler craft ideas!
Rainbow Ribbons
All you need for this at-home activity, from Casey of Little Lifelong Learners, are ribbons from your craft closet. Simply hang them from baby’s play gym, a drying rack or another sturdy item that baby can lay under. They’ll have a blast looking at all the colors and tugging on the ribbons. The activity provides endless fun and also helps build upper body strength and improve motor skills. Win, win.
Learn more ways to support baby’s strength development and motor skills.
Fun With Fabrics
Odds are you have plenty of wipe containers at home already. This genius activity comes from Jamie of Hands on as We Grow. Grab an old, empty container and fill it with washcloths and other fabric scraps. Not only will baby be able to explore different materials and textures, but they’ll also have some fun opening and closing the lid and pulling out the fabrics.
Find more baby-friendly indoor activity ideas here!
Super Coloring Pages
Coloring is one of the ultimate at-home activities for young children. Don’t worry if your little one doesn’t have a coloring book at home (or if Amazon can’t deliver one soon enough). Super Coloring is an online resource that lets you download coloring pages for free. Choose pages from several categories, including holidays, animals and so many more. Your little one (and even you!) will have a great time coloring in the pages. Break out the crayons and watch the day go by!
Find more free activities for little ones here!
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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