There’s nothing worse than a sick kiddo—except maybe a sick spouse! During each bout of sickness, there’s inevitably a span of time in which your child is too sick to do anything strenuous but feels just well enough to be bored. What do you do? Below is a list of electronic-free activities to engage the mind while allowing the body to rest and recover:

• Read – books, magazines, comic books, joke books, anything!
• Board games – have a board game tournament.
• Crazy straws – have fun staying hydrated.
• Coloring books – or puzzles, activity books, or find-a-words.
• Magnets – give your child a cookie sheet and some magnets to create story boards.
• Flashlights – turn off the lights and chase each other on the ceiling.
• Etch A Sketch or Doodle Board – endless fun!
• Origami – grab some paper and find simple folding instructions online.
• Card games – revive some card favorites like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Solitaire, or even Blackjack.
• Paper dolls – a classic!
• Crafts – gather up any crafting supplies you have (pipe cleaners, beads, pom-poms, stickers, paper, glue) and go wild.
• Play-doh – keep the soft stuff bed friendly by giving it to your kid in a cake pan for a self-contained play area.
• Puzzles – set up a card table next to the bed or spread out the pieces on another smooth surface.
• Models – build models (planes, cars, houses, or planets).

What activities do you do with your child when they’re sick? Post your ideas below!