Now that school is back in session, chances are your kids will get sick every now and again. For those times when they are not so sick that they are flat in bed but need to still stay home and rest, here are a few quiet time activities that will keep your under-the-weather, lonely child amused. Buttons and/ or noodles
Materials – lots of buttons and/or noodles, dental floss or embroidery floss, and a tapestry needle.
If you don’t already have a button collection, you can buy bags of buttons at most fabric stores. Kids love buttons because of their different shapes, styles and colors. They also like the way they feel. They are fun to sort in different ways, or make pictures and patterns with them. Stringing them in pleasing ways can fill oodles of time.
Different shapes and sizes of noodles can be just as fun. They can also be colored with magic markers or dyed with food coloring. String them in different ways to make a necklace, bracelet, or decorations.
Sifting flour
This sounds silly, but kids love sifting flour. Allow them to sift and resift the same bowl of flour over another bowl or cookie sheet.
It is a soothing activity that anyone can sit and do even if you aren’t feeling well.
Pipe cleaner shapes and patterns
If you don’t already have some of these, buy a package or two of colored pipe cleaners to have around for sick days.
Kids love the fuzzy bendability of them. They can be braided and made into all kinds of shapes like fruits, different animals, furniture for a doll house, action figures or just about anything at all! This is a great “in bed” activity that encourages creativity even on a “not feeling so good” day.
I hope you get well soon!
Kelly Dupre of Grand Marais is an artist, children’s author, and educator with over 20 years teaching experience with all age groups in a variety of settings. The activities in this once-a-month column are spin-offs and combinations of ideas she has used and learned from teachers, parents, kids, books, and workshops. Only some of the activities has she actually thought of herself! Do you have a project or an idea you would like to see on the Whirligigs page? Let us know! Send your suggestion to starnews@boreal.org.
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