Stuck inside
Sick day activities for kids on the couch
Gentle drawing for a kid who is home sick but bored: easy prompts, tracing pages and nothing that needs sitting at the table.
- Time
- As long as they like
- Ages
- 3 to 10
- You need
- Lap tray, colored pencils
How to run it
Set up a lap tray
A tray, a cookie sheet or a big hardback book makes a desk on the couch.
Start with something easy
Tracing is a good first activity for a tired kid. There is nothing to get wrong.
Try the couch doodle pad
Four cozy prompts, like drawing a blanket as a monster. One box is enough; there is no need to finish.
Make a get-well card for someone else
Kids feel better when they make something for a friend or a grandparent.
Tip: Colored pencils are cleaner than markers on a couch and don’t dry out if the cap gets lost under a cushion.
Keep it going: books for this plan
Each book page on FirstArtBooks shows what’s inside. The Amazon button shows the current price.
Trace then color · ages 3+Trace Then Color: Baby Animals
Easy, calm tracing pages. Ages 3+.
See it on Amazon
Trace then color · ages 3+Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Animals
More gentle tracing for a slow day.
See it on Amazon
Step-by-step drawing · ages 5+How to Draw: Baby Animals
For when they feel well enough to draw from scratch.
See it on Amazon
Questions parents ask
My kid is too tired to draw. What else?
Read a step-by-step drawing book together and let them choose which character you draw for them.