15 Things to Do With Your Kids When You’re Tired or Sick

Let’s face it – some days, there’s not enough willpower in the world to summon up the energy for lively activities with our kids. Fortunately, there are ways to spend quality time with our kids that don’t require a lot of energy. The next time you’re all tapped out, try one of these things to do with your kids when you’re tired or sick!

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Sleepless nights with a new baby. Pregnancy nausea and fatigue. Long hours at work. Hard days at home with the kids. Illness.

There are a million different reasons moms get tired.

The fact is, as awesome as we are, we’re not superhuman. We DO get tired. We DO get sick. And some days, we just don’t have it in us for high-energy activities with our kids.

The good news is – that’s okay! We can absolutely still be present and involved. There are ways to spend quality time with our kids and connect with them that don’t require a lot of energy. Following are some of my favorite things you can do with your kids when you’re tired or sick.

15 Things to Do With Your Kids When You’re Tired or Sick

Let’s face it, sometimes moms get tired. We also get sick. And some days, there’s not enough willpower in the world to summon up the energy for lively activities with our kids.

Fortunately, there are plenty of low-energy activities that still allow us to invest in our relationships. The next time you’re all tapped out, try one of these activities to do with your kids when you’re tired or sick.

1. Read to/with them

If you’re a regular around here, you know reading always tops my list of things to do with my kids, regardless of the circumstances. But that’s especially true when I’m tired or not quite feeling 100 percent. When I don’t have the energy for anything else, that’s the perfect time to reach for our read-aloud book.

Helpful posts:
Our Favorite Chapter Books for Read-Alouds
Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4-6 Year-Olds
Our Favorite Picture Books for Kids

2. Look through magazines

Flipping through magazines together creates wonderful opportunities to connect, talk, and enjoy a special interest together. And it’s easily adaptable as your kids get older! There are magazines out there for pretty much any age and interest.

3. Play “hair salon”

This is one of my favorite activities to bust out when I’m super tired. Basically, it’s just sitting there while your kids play with your hair. Genius, right?? My daughter has a blast brushing and “styling” my hair, and I get to enjoy having my hair played with. Win-win! Yes, it’s a little painful sometimes, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay.

(Occasionally, I can get my sons to play with my hair if they’re in the right mood, but ONLY if I read to them while they do it.)

4. Color

Coloring is SUCH a relaxing activity and is great for those days when you’re totally spent. Got older kids? Don’t be too quick to skip over this one! Coloring isn’t just for little kids anymore – there are coloring books out there for all ages.

5. Do a puzzle

I’ll be honest that some days, even board games feel like too much for me. But puzzles? Puzzles I can do! And this is another activity that can be tailored to any age and stage.

6. Be their “road”

Lay on your stomach and let your kids drive their cars and trucks all over your back/legs. My husband and I did this ALL THE TIME when our boys were a little bit younger, and it was great. It’s a sneaky way to get a back massage and do absolutely nothing while still giving your kids a good time!

7. Take a (slow) walk

I know, I know… when you’re dead dog tired, the last thing you feel like doing is exercising. But oftentimes, a little movement is exactly what we need to put a little pep back in our step. And walks are a great opportunity to draw conversation out of our kids.

Helpful posts:
25 Engaging Questions to Ask Kids About Their Day
50 Family Conversation Starters

8. Go for a drive

If even a short walk seems like too much (I get it!), maybe a short drive is a better option. We live in the country, so scenic evening drives are a staple for our family. But it doesn’t matter where you go so much as that you’re together.

9. Play doctor

Hey, if you’re already feeling a little under the weather, you might as well use it, right?? Even if you’re not sick, being the patient to your mini “doctor-in-training” is a great low-energy activity.

Lie back on the couch and let your kiddo check you out with a toy doctor kit, play with bandages, or pretend to make you some curative soup.

If you have older kids, see if they’ll fetch you a cup of water, fix you a snack, or warm up an actual bowl of soup! It’s literally the perfect thing to do with your kids when you’re tired or sick.

10. Cuddle

What could be better after a long hard day than snuggles on the couch?? This is the perfect way to unwind while still spending quality time connecting with your kids. If you have older kids (or your kids aren’t cuddlers), try laying side-by-side on the floor or reclining in nearby chairs, instead.

11. Play from the sidelines

So what about when you don’t have energy, but they are full of it?? (Which is, basically, all.the.time at my house.) Let them do all the active stuff while you kick back and relax!

Time them while they run laps around the house.
Direct them through an obstacle course (e.g. “run around the tree, crawl under the patio table, then go down the slide).
Judge their dance moves.

There are lots of ways you can participate in their activity from a couch or chair – get creative!

12. Get out the sensory bins and/or busy boxes

This one takes some planning and preparation ahead of time, but it’s so worth it on those super tiring days. On a day when you’re not so tired, put together a sensory bin or busy box. Then, pull it out when you’re too tired or sick to play. You can still enjoy watching them while they play!

13. Play with water

Water is magical. When all else fails to entertain my kids, water always does the trick. Fill a sink or container with water, and let them go to town! Throw in a few cars and make a tiny car wash, give them a couple of cups and spoons to fill and dump, or let them wash some rocks. They’ll have a blast while you relax!

14. Create a scavenger hunt

Send them on a backyard mission with a fun scavenger hunt. Pull up a chair and shout out random items they have to find and bring to you. (e.g. a pinecone, a red leaf, a cool rock, a stick as long as their arm, etc.).

They’ll be so excited scurrying about, they won’t even catch on that this is actually just an opportunity for you to sit, cloaked in fun. 😉

Helpful Post:
Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt {FREE Printable!}

15. Watch a show/movie

Finally, there is no shame in turning to screens from time to time when you’re tired or sick. Enjoying a TV show or movie together as a family can be a great bonding activity! Need some suggestions? Here are some of our favorite family movies.

SHARE WITH US: What are some of your favorite things to do with your kids when you’re tired or sick? Share them in the comments!