Sick days don’t have to be boring. In fact, parents can use this time at home to encourage learning and early childhood development. How can you turn downtime into an educational experience for your little one? Below, the top learning center in St. Louis, MO, Lucky Lane Nursery School, shares five activities to get brains going even in the midst of the sniffles.

These 5 Indoor Activities Are Perfect for Your Child’s Sick Day

1. Play Board Games

Sick downtime offers an excellent opportunity for low-energy games. Play tic tac toe, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Uno® and other fun childhood favorites. Your little one will learn logic, cooperation, and how to compete fairly and honestly.

2. Reading

Reading is the perfect sick day entertainment as it requires little energy. You can read to your child or have them read to you if they aren’t fighting back a sore throat. After each chapter, talk over the plot and characters and try to predict what happens next.

3. Slime

Make slime together with the help of glue, cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring. Add some glitter or beads for an extra tactile experience. Your child will love watching the slime take shape and then playing with it in bed. Plus, this creative activity encourages dexterity and just might turn your little one into a scientist or a chef after seeing the wonders of creating something new out of several ingredients.

4. Puzzles

Little ones love fitting together puzzle pieces to make a picture. Get out your child’s favorite puzzle to encourage early childhood development skills like problem-solving.

5. Zoo Keepers

When your child is on the mend give them the chance to use their imagination. Set up all their toy animals and appoint them head zookeeper. Ask them to draw little habitats and explain what the animals need every day like meals and entertainment. This activity features early childhood development skills like memory recall, comprehension, and imaginative play. 

The next time your kid is sick don’t just let them watch TV all day. Instead, encourage them to try these five fun early childhood development activities. To learn more creative ways to nurture learning at home call Lucky Lane Nursery School at (314) 434-4462. Visit the website for information on classes and programming at their one-of-a-kind nursery school. The learning center is staffed by compassionate, well-trained educators who have kept the school going for nearly 70 years.