Summer Sick Box: Keep Your Sanity this Summer
Disclosure: The Pfizer Pediatric Platform products, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by PfizerConsumer Healthcare. All thoughts and reviews are my own.
It’s summer, the kids are out of school and you’re already exhausted. Now your little one is sick with a fever and can’t sleep at night. What can you do to keep them entertained without overdoing it? You don’t want to spend all day in bed but you also have responsibilities outside the home so here are some easy ideas that will help both mommy and her little one feel better! First, make sure your kiddo has plenty of fluids like water or popsicles. Next, try using age-appropriate toys they’ll find interesting such as coloring books or crayons for younger children; board games for older ones. And finally, if none of these work then just cuddle up with your child on the couch.
How did you learn about Summer Sick Kits?
You never know what will happen when the kids get sick during summer. My Aunt was always prepared with her cabinet full of medicines for any family member who might need them no matter their age and I learned to be just as ready from my visits there. Even if you don’t have your own children, it’s good practice to stay on top of these things because you’ll want someone else to do the same for your kids!
- I’m preparing a summer sick kit that will help me when the kids get sick this summer.
- It’s going to be hard because I have 5 children and it is always difficult to keep them entertained during these break periods and rainy weekends, but having one or more of my children fall ill means all of us are going down so I want to stay ahead of any potential illness they might contract.
- We’ll be busy running around doing fun activities which should hopefully serve as enough distraction for those times where we’re stuck inside due course boredom sets in.
Medicine in my Summer Sick Box
Here are a few products for the summer sickness crud I always have on hand because I’ve used them for years. Dimetapp Children’s Cough/Cold DM grape syrup – 4 Fl Oz. tackles a child’s most bothersome stuffy and runny noses, all while working to relieve cough. Provides great-tasting cold-fighting power and is the #1 pharmacist recommended brand for children’s cough & cold symptoms(3) (for ages 6+) Not only is the flavor great tasting it, this also acts as allergy relief. Don’t quote me but back in the 90s, my family had to keep this one on hand if a neighbor girl was coming over so she could be in our house because we had cats. This worked for her great. Today, I use Dimetapp whenever my elementary-age children get sick with a common cold. It’s always in the stores so it isn’t like I have to go to the doctor for a sniffle and during the summer someone is bound to get them at least once. This one is good for children 6 years and older.
a great solution for kids as young as 2 and up to 11. Children’s Advil® comes in several great-tasting flavors, including Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit, and Dye-Free White Grape flavors. There’s also Infants’ Advil® White Grape, which provides unsurpassed fever relief with a syringe for easy dosing for children 6-23 months. Provides unsurpassed fever and pain relief(1), and contain ibuprofen, the medicine pediatricians use most for their own kids’ fevers(2) (for ages 6 months -11 years)Whether they are getting shots for school or they have a fever this is a great medicine to have on hand. I must admit I normally only get this for my teens. I didn’t realize until now that this is actually safe for ages 2-11. $5.69 on the site right now.
the non-drowsy daytime formula helps break up chest congestion, while the long-acting nighttime formula relieves coughs and runny noses to help kids get the rest they need. Provides soothing action and cough control with some formulations lasting up to 8 hours (for ages 6-12 years) Got a kid that is having a hard time with a cough? Whether it is allergies or being sick no parents like their kids being miserable or in pain so this is a great relief for them. I love the value pack because you’ll have it ready for the day or night, whenever it strikes. Nighttime is great because it’ll put them to sleep and daytime makes it so it doesn’t knock them right out in case they need to do sports. I always get day & night for adults whenever I get sick just to kill it quicker, since I know this brand and trust them I would trust it with my children.
*It is important to remember to always read and keep the cartons for complete warnings and dosing information on Pfizer Pediatric Platform products and to use as directed
Where’s Your Summer Sick Kit Stored?
Storing your summer sick box is best to have it where you can easily access it. I keep all three of these in a basket I have in the living room, near the television for easy reach for me. Once the medicine has been opened I typically keep them in the door of my refrigerator. I great idea would be to have a list of what’s inside the box outside. A checklist would be wise, so when you run out of something you can buy it the next time you are in the store. Inside my basket are all types of goodies for when a child/adult gets sick and needs something or to be entertained.
My Boo-Boo Box or Sick box
Here are a few ideas of what to put in your summer sick kit (you may even want to make one for winter) that I have in mine. Keep in mind of your child when you create your sick box.
- SpeedRead Thermometer (to check those temps and keep an eye on them)
- *Characters/cars for little ones (I picked up a few Zootopia and Jurassic World eraser toppers that are in the shape of the characters so Nicoli will be able to play on the table next to his bed this summer)
- dot to dot pad
- box of seashells/rocks
- paints/paintbrush
- *coloring packs (Tiny zippered pouch with a coloring book, 4 crayons, and 2 pages of stickers)
- Puffs with lotion
- *character band-aids
- Lipton Green tea with honey
- Halls (made with honey)
- Set of 4 toothbrushes (doctors/dentist recommend after being sick to get rid of the old stuff and get new so you don’t constantly spread it around your mouth)
- Sterile pads (for bigger boo-boos)
- hydrogen peroxide/alcohol/Neosporin
- Benadryl pills (for me)
* These were all purchased in the dollar area in the front of the store.
Why are these items in my Sick Kit?
Children are only young for a short time, and it’s important not to let them get bored while they’re sick. You can avoid the risk of boredom by entertaining your child with activities that suit their age – games, tiny toys or puzzles may be perfect!
For me personally, I find keeping my children entertained an essential part of being a good parent when they’re under the weather. It might seem like you have all day but as soon as bedtime rolls around and there isn’t anything left in those little hands then who knows what trouble will come? Keep ’em busy: read some books together (they’ll love sharing stories about other kids at school), play small puzzle games, make up silly songs on guitar…the possibilities are endless so use your imagination with them.
Games You might include in your Summer Illness Box
A deck of cards: these can be used for games like Go Fish, War, or Solitare.
-Uno game: Uno is a card game that can be played with 2 to 10 players which is great if the family is already sick or not afraid of catching the sickness. (these can normally be found for about $1-5 in stores)
-Jenga: this is an indoor game where players compete by removing one block at a time from the tower without making it fall down. They pull one block out and put it to the top of the tower and the following player does the same thing, etc. Whoever causes the tower to collapse must forfeit their turn and wait until someone else takes theirs before they’re able to play again. You can also test yourself and see how far you can build on your own.
– iPad or laptop with games downloaded on it so the kids can entertain themselves while resting in bed all day. My kids also like to hear audiobooks when they can’t seem to read due to a headache but still want to read.
How to get Creative with Your Sick Kit Items?
Games, tiny toys, and puzzles are great. I tossed in seashells and paints more for the older ones that have insisted on making chimes but the younger one can easily color them with paints, crayons, etc. Yes, I’m sure this looks like a big list but keep in mind I have a family of 7 so I have to be ready to combat when Sick Gets Real in our house. Mom can’t get sick! You know mom has to protect and care for the rest of the family so this year I’m ready. I have my armor on and am ready for war! What items can you think of for your sick kit for when SICK Just Got Real in your home?
Healthy treats for Your Sick One
-Frozen grapes -Popsicles (healthy ones, not something full of sugar!) -And of course tissues!
These were all purchased at Target. Look at your local Target or dollar store for great items for boredom and sick people.
Disclosure: The Pfizer Pediatric Platform products, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. All thoughts and reviews are my own.
Unlimited Peppa Pig usually does the trick 🙂
We use a humidifier when my child is sick.
Fix one of their most favorite foods to make them smile and feel better
definitely cuddle time plus popsicles & meds (as needed)
Lot’s of cuddles, rest and meds
Extra love & cuddles!
my kids sleep in my bed with me when they are sick .
I always fix homemade vanilla pudding. So good and soothing when it’s warm.
A lot of cuddling and watching favorite movies.
I cuddle with them, do puzzles together, and make home made soup and cookies! Thanks so much for the opportunity! Fantastic prize!
i comfort my children when they are sick with lots of hugs and love and kisses.
When my kids are sick, they love watching their favorite movies. It keeps them calm and in their beds.
lots of cuddling does the trick
Cuddling up watching movies together always does the trick.
I give my children (and husband) lots of hugs and love! I medicate them every 4-6 hours and keep them filled with fluids like Gatorade, Ginger Ale and lots of water.
I spoil them when they are sick.
Movies ..My son likes to watch them when he is sick to keep his mind off the illness
They like to cuddle and read stories, or watch movies.
They like it when I make them some juice and toast and then we watch their favorite movie together or play card games.
read to them.