8 Activity Ideas to Keep Kids Busy When Mom is Sick

The life of a mom is not easy. Taking care of her little ones, teaching them the basics of life, and loving them unconditionally at all times is rewarding but can also take its toll. As strong as they may be, mothers are still human and fall ill sometimes. So what happens when a child's closest companion is sick and cannot spend too much time engaged in physically exhausting games and activities?

We've got a list of 10 games, ideas, and activities to keep your little one busy when you are sick.

1. Playing House:

This is one of the most enjoyable and engaging activities for children. Roleplay is a massive part of a child's cognitive and social development and should definitely be nurtured. Fortunately, once they get closer to 4 years old, they begin to enjoy roleplaying games, the most popular being "house." So take advantage of this! Encourage them to make a fort using pillows, sheets, and cushions, or better yet, set up kids playhouses for them to play in. Even if your little one is an only child, this can keep him/her occupied for long enough for you to grab a quick nap!

2. Printable Coloring Sheets:

Coloring sheets of differing difficulty levels can be found online and printed out quite effortlessly. Apart from coloring being a fun independent activity, it is also fabulous for developing excellent motor control, which is an essential skill to master when one is learning how to write. Depending on your child's age, you can give them different mediums like crayons, color pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, poster paints, etc. You print out pictures of your child's favorite cartoon characters and let their creativity run wild.

3. Bubble Ninja:

This is a fun game that can be played in the backyard. All you need to do is sit and blow soap bubbles while the children try to pop them using foam swords. One of you can keep score, and whoever pops the most bubbles wins the chance to make mommy a glass of juice! But jokes aside, this game is a great way to expend energy children and is also a great way for siblings to bond.

4. Painting:

There is no better way to enhance your little artist's painting skills than letting them paint like a professional. Make an everyday activity seem like something new and exciting with a kid's art easel. Just provide the paints and paper (or canvas) and let their little minds run free, painting modern masterpieces every day. Mommy can sneak in a nap while her little Picasso is at work.

5. Bed Time Story:

Here's a fun twist to the traditional reading routine—have your little one read to you while you are in bed! Even if he/she can't fully understood yet, pick a book that you both like and are familiar with and have your little one read to you. Then encourage them to "put you to bed," so to speak so you can rest while they read in bed next to you. Reading stories at bedtime is not only a big part of every child's bedtime routine, but is also a great way to bond and keeps your child feeling safe and secure. There is no need to skip this step when mommy is ill, simply switch roles, and you are good to go!

6. Jigsaw Puzzles:

Jigsaw puzzles are one of the oldest tricks in the book to keep children busy, no matter how old they are. The great thing about these is that they come in varying difficulty levels and so every child and adult can enjoy them. Not only does this activity do wonders for concentration and attention, but it also sharpens spatial ability.

7. Stories from Pictures:

This one requires a little bit of prep, but it's definitely a great one to keep up your sleeve. All you have to do is show your little ones a set of pictures, and ask them to come up with a story based on the pictures. You can give them complete freedom to arrange the pictures in whichever order they want. Rearranging the order can give you a new story each time. You will be amazed at what they come up with. This is one of the best ways to put their imagination to work.

8. Watch a Movie: 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. For those of you who are very particular about how much screen exposure your little ones get, this idea might make you wince. But stay with us. Pick a movie that involves thinking and one with a great message. Sit down with them and watch the movie together. But remember, this is the last resort for mommies who are ill and exhausted by 7 pm. If you happen to doze off, happy endings for everyone!

Now that you have a few ideas under your belt, falling ill need no longer be stressful! These ideas will allow you to catch up on some much-needed rest while your child is otherwise productively occupied.

Summary: what does a mother do when she needs a lot of rest time to replenish her health, during sickness, but she also wants to see her kids have an enjoyable fun and playtime. Here are nine activities ideas to keep kids busy when mom is sick.