Get Well Kits For Kids
Entertaining Sick Kids
You might want to make a get well kit for your kids if you've ever experienced this: You have a child, or children, home from school or daycare because they are sick. We all know that the first day or two, the kids are sick enough that they just want to sleep or lay around.
But, after that, even though they are too sick to go back to school or daycare, they become bored and whiny because they don't know what to do. Now you have to figure out how you are going to entertain them.
In this article I am going to show you how to make kits of fun games, toys and books that will keep them busy without over-tiring them. I'll explain how to make "Feel Better Kits for Kids."Remember to keep the kits special: these kits are to be made up and then stashed away without the kids seeing them or knowing what's in them. These kits only come out during the getting well period. Make sure to make a kit, for each individual child, with their name printed on it.
Find A Box
The box can be a shoe box or one of those plastic lidded boxes you can buy at Wal-Mart or at a Dollar store.
When your child needs mist vaporizer treatments, make a tent using a blanket over a card table. Let the child have a flashlight and a book, a puzzle and a snack.
Cover The Box
Decorate the shoe box by covering it with wrapping paper or brown grocery bag paper.
Decorate and Add Name
Paste stickers or draw pictures on the outside and add the child’s name so they know that the kit was made especially for them.
Kit Suggestions
for ages 2-5 and 6-9
It's important to make the kits appropriate to the child's age. I've divided my suggestions to fill the kits into four age categories, but you know best what to put in them.
My suggestions are:
Kits for ages 2-5: Small notebook, stickers, picture book, pocket dolls, matchbox cars, box of 8 colors and a small coloring book. Make coupons for popsicles, packets of crackers with cheese or peanut butter, jello or pudding snack pack, and juice drinks.
Kits for ages 6-9: Small notebook, pencil, small scissors, colored pencils, kid's magazine, paper dolls, football (baseball or basketball) cards, pony beads and elastic thread to make a bracelet, American Girl book or one of their interests. Make coupons for popsicles, crackers, pretzels or chips, pudding snack pack and juice drinks.
To make a quick warm pack for an earache, fill a sock with rice and tie it closed. Pop it in the microwave for a minute for a warm pack that will last almost half an hour. Use it also for a tummy ache or muscle soother. When not in use, place in a plastic bag and keep in the freezer. From the freezer, it can be used as a cold compress for bumps and bruises.
Kit Suggestions
for ages 10-13 and 14-over
Kits for ages 10-13: Blank book, you can buy these for a $1 at the dollar store, pencil, magazine for a girl or boy, slipper socks, colored markers, a change purse, lip gloss, a cute t-shirt, comic book or easy crossword book. Make coupons for popsicles or fudgesicles, crackers, granola bar, pudding snack pack and juice drinks.
Kits for ages 14 and over: Blank book and pen, bookmarks, bling jewelry, paperback book, sports magazine or teen magazine, hair accessories, sports wrist band, cologne, Post-it notes, sunglasses, re-usable water bottle, nail polish, earrings, little tube of hand lotion, shower soap on a rope, travel size Kleenex, unique key chain, pack of gum, and silly sox. Make coupons for pop, granola bars, pizza.
Make and Add Coupons
You can make your own or use this "Good For One" coupon pattern.
Fill With Age Appropriate Items
You know your child's interests, so fill the kit with things for your recouperating child.
If your child is a picky eater, put small amounts of food in different spaces in a six cup muffin tin. Use raisins, nuts, cut-up fruits, dry cereal, oyster crackers, carrot sticks, etc.
© 2011 Loraine Brummer
