18 Calm Toddler Activities When Your Toddler Is Sick – No Screen

When your toddler is sick, rest and comfort are top priorities, but keeping them entertained without screens can be challenging. Here are some engaging, low-energy, and soothing activities I used before, to keep your little one happy while they recover.

This post may contain affiliate links, such as Amazon Associates links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog and helping me create more content like this!

1. Cozy Reading Time

Snuggle up with some favorite picture books or soft fabric books. If your toddler isn’t in the mood to hold a book, try telling stories aloud, making up silly adventures, or using finger puppets to bring characters to life.

2. Sensory Play with Soft Materials

Create a calming sensory experience with soft fabrics, silk scarves, or a basket of different textures (cotton, fleece, felt). Let your toddler explore them with their hands while lying down.

3. Sticker Fun

Provide a sticker book or a sheet of reusable stickers and let your toddler decorate paper, you, a cardboard box, or even a bedside table. It keeps little hands busy with minimal effort. Mine always loves stickers.

4. Calm Music and Humming

Play soft lullabies or nature sounds while rocking, snuggling, or gently swaying with your toddler. Humming to them can be incredibly soothing and comforting. Or play his/her favorite kids songs and sing along. My son loves “lalala” time.

5. Magnetic Tiles or Quiet Building Toys

If your toddler enjoys building, magnetic tiles (my cousins son has these), soft blocks, or wooden puzzles can be a great way to engage them without overstimulating. We have LEGO Duplo and other building blocks and I combine it with pretend play. Like the doll visits someone in the house.

6. Playdough or Soft Clay

A small amount of homemade or store-bought playdough can provide a soothing sensory experience when your toddler is sick. Keep it simple with just rolling and squishing rather than complex shapes.

7. Shadow Puppets or Flashlight Play

Dim the lights and use a flashlight to make simple hand shadow puppets on the wall. You can also let your toddler play with a small flashlight under a blanket for a cozy glow.

8. Aromatherapy & Stuffed Animal Spa

Let your toddler “care” for their stuffed animals with a pretend spa day. Use a warm washcloth, maybe some toddler friendly vapor bath depending on how sick your toddler is (better consult a doctor), to gently clean them, and a cold calming scent.

9. Gentle Coloring or Water Painting

Offer chunky crayons, mess-free water painting books, or washable markers on a clipboard so they can color while lying down.

10. Soft Toy Sorting & Matching

Give your toddler small plush toys or objects to match by color or size. Keep it simple so they can participate even when feeling low-energy.

11. Cuddle & Chat

Sometimes, the best activity when your toddler is sick is just cuddling and talking. Ask them about their favorite things, make up a story together, or just enjoy some quiet bonding time.

12. Babywearing & Gentle Productivity

If your toddler prefers to be close to you, carrying them in a baby carrier while you do light tasks can keep them soothed while you stay productive.

13. Nap Together

Instead of letting your toddler nap alone, join them for extra cuddles. Many toddlers sleep better this way, and it provides you both with some much-needed rest.

14. Cozy Blanket Fort

Build a soft, cozy fort using blankets and pillows. Dim the lights and bring in stuffed animals or books for a quiet and comforting hideout.

15. Cooking Together

Let your toddler help with simple cooking tasks like pouring, stirring, or mixing. This keeps them engaged in a calm, low-energy way.

16. Pretend Play

Encourage gentle pretend play with their toy kitchen, teddy bears, or dolls. A tea party or pretend doctor visit for stuffed animals can be a soothing and familiar activity when your LO is sick.

17. Gentle Stroller Walks

If the weather allows, dressing your toddler warmly and taking them out for a stroller ride can help them get fresh air while staying cozy and relaxed.

18. Quiet Block Building

Simple block stacking or quiet construction with wooden blocks or Duplo can keep them entertained in a relaxed way.

19. Handling the Active Phase After Medicine

Sometimes, after fever medicine, toddlers regain energy and want to run around. If this happens, encourage calm movement like slow dancing, stretching, or rolling a ball back and forth.

20. Dealing with Mom Guilt

If you’ve resorted to a little screen time for a short moment of peace, know that it’s okay! Sometimes, it helps keep your toddler calm, and balance is key. Be kind to yourself. Or that’s what I told myself lol the few times I did let him watch TV.