Tips for Brightening Sick Days with Arts & Crafts for Kids

Anyone with a child is guaranteed to be faced with a few sick days. And never on a day that suits your schedule. Whether at home or at hospital, the hours are long and as caretaker you’ll do almost anything to brighten your kiddos day. 

Having spent countless nights in hospital beds with my Asthmatic son, I quickly looked to resources around me to stimulate and entertain my son. The hours in hospital feel so much longer and lonelier. Added to the stress, these visits were rarely planned. My husband, on the other side of the phone, has about 30 mins to pack a hospital back for myself and my son. 

As a seasoned hospital goer, we have a cupboard set aside with activities, crafts, toys waiting patiently to play like something out of Toy Story. By not allowing the kids regular access to this cupboard, also creates excitement around the activities. 

Here’s a list of 9 activities that are great to bring joy to a sick child and a small space: 

1. Watercolour painting- it’s quick and easy to clean. Watercolour painting is a creative art technique where pigments are mixed with water and applied to paper, resulting in soft, translucent layers of colour. This method allows for fluid blending, delicate washes, and vibrant hues, making it perfect for capturing light, texture, and subtle details in landscapes, portraits, and abstract art. It’s a versatile and popular medium for both beginners and experienced artists due to its ease of use and expressive possibilities.
2. Diamond dotting- This is quickly becoming a new trend. Just a small picture is bound to keep the kids busy for hours. This activity is excellent to practise hand eye coordination as well as learning the alphabet. Diamond dotting is a fun and relaxing craft where tiny, faceted resin "diamonds" are applied to a sticky canvas to create sparkling, mosaic-like artwork. Each diamond is placed according to a colour-coded chart, similar to paint-by-numbers, allowing for intricate, shimmering designs. It's a popular activity for both beginners and experienced crafters, offering a satisfying way to create dazzling, textured pieces that catch the light beautifully. 
3. Beading with letters- Make your friends and family bracelets with their names on. This is lovely for hand eye coordination and learning to spell. 
4. Make your own card- great to leave a special something for the nursing staff that work so tirelessly. Making their own greeting cards is great for kids because it sparks creativity and allows them to express themselves through art. It helps improve fine motor skills as they cut, glue, and decorate, while also teaching them the value of personal connection by creating something meaningful for others. Plus, it's a fun, hands-on activity that boosts their confidence and imagination!
5. Remote controlled cars- There are so many passages and flat corridors to play and wonder. Remote controlled cars are great in hospitals. 
6. Colouring in- Or even better, have you seen the latest trend of 3M long colouring in? This is great for those cold and rainy days. 3 metres of colouring in will last you for days. Be sure to tape down your colouring in an area with little foot traffic. 
7. Doodling silly creatures - Take ordinary animals and turn them into something weird and wonderful. Mix up the bodies, ears, fins, furr and see what you come up with. Here is an easy tutorial. Doodling silly creatures is great for sick kids because it helps distract them from discomfort and boredom, allowing them to express their creativity in a fun and light-hearted way. It encourages imagination as they mix and match animal features to create something unique and whimsical. This activity also fosters relaxation, reduces stress, and provides a sense of accomplishment, all of which can lift their spirits and keep them entertained, even in small spaces like hospital rooms.
8. Origami- This is an ancient art and is still as popular as before. The skill levels required vary greatly and this helps to keep kids of all ages busy. You can find easy tutorials here. Origami is great for kids because it helps develop fine motor skills, patience, and focus. As they fold paper into intricate shapes, children improve hand-eye coordination and learn to follow steps carefully. Origami also encourages creativity and problem-solving, making it a fun, hands-on way to boost cognitive development while creating something beautiful. Plus, it’s an inexpensive activity that kids of all ages can enjoy!
9. Stories and kids songs downloaded on your phone to a music streaming app- This is great to drown out any unwanted noise. 

This list is great for kids at home or in hospital. Arts and crafts is a wonderful way to lift their spirits.  You can shop most items from Checkers Sixty60. If you have a bit more time, you can order all these goodies and so much more from www.scribbleandscratch.co.za. 

Arts and crafts are excellent for sick kids as they provide a creative outlet that helps distract from discomfort, reduce stress, and brighten their spirits. Engaging in activities like painting, beading, or drawing allows children to focus on something positive, taking their minds off being unwell. These activities promote relaxation and offer a sense of accomplishment, which boosts their confidence and emotional well-being.

Additionally, arts and crafts improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development, all while keeping kids entertained in confined spaces such as hospital rooms. They also encourage imagination and self-expression, allowing children to explore their creativity and individuality during a challenging time. Whether creating personalised greeting cards or building colourful mosaics, the hands-on nature of these projects fosters a sense of control and purpose, offering both joy and comfort to children in need of a mental and emotional lift.

From one experienced Mamma to another, sending you strength and creativity to get through these challenging times. 

Want to be inspired by some more crafts? Head over to our templates and tutorials page for magic and creativity.