My 10 year old son was hit by a car and broke his leg very badly. He has a cast from his foot to his groin. He will be in the cast for the next 6 to 8 weeks which is most of the summer. He is stuck on the couch with his leg elevated. Does anyone have ideas of how I can keep him occupied? He has a PSP and Playstation. We have movies to watch. We can play cards and I'll get him magazines. He doesn't like board games. I can read to him. That's all I have. I don't think it will get us through 6 to 8 weeks. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
2006-06-18 12:23:03 · 12 answers · asked by kukkanna 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I work with children who have special needs, so many of the things that I have experienced hopefully will help you out a bit.
Obviously the PSP, Playstation, TV, books, and cards are all good things, but eventually you run out of options and he will get very bored, if he isn't already. If you are able to get him outside or around with a wheelchair or sturdy crutches, that would help, but that is not always possible.
There are some stroller-type medical chairs that would probably work better, but since he will be "better" in a month or two, that's not really necessary. If you can borrow a wheelchair though, with a piece that will raise up to elevate his leg, it would be a good thing.
If you have a cookie sheet or some sort of tray that can go on his lap/stomach, that would be a lifesaver as it opens up a few more possibilities. Play-Doh, clay, and other things can come to him that way. Also you can get some stuff for him to color/draw if he likes that.
Another thing that he could do is something that will take some work on your part, but it is a lot of fun. If you get some smooth rocks and bake them on foil on a cookie sheet in the oven for a little while at about 400 degrees F, wrap them in cloths to keep him from getting burned, then you can take crayons and when they touch the rock they melt into neat designs that will cool and stick. You can actually "color" the rocks. My sister and I used to do this when we were younger and it is something that can take up a pretty good block of time.
There are a lot of craft options that would be a lot of fun to do. Oriental Trading makes some good kits and you can make foam wreaths and things and countless other things that would be fun. If he is interested in messing with stuff like that, it would be a lot of fun to make some of those projects. http://orientaltrading.com/ is the link to their website.
I don't know exactly how you have him positioned, but you might want to make sure that you get things with slightly larger pieces so he can see them well without having to move around a lot. You don't want him to try to sit up and see something and twist his leg even more.
If at all possible and you can do stuff (ask the doctors first!) like going outside to sit on the grass for a picnic, there are more options for things like that. If he can sit on the floor, doing things like rolling a ball back and forth or tossing it back and forth will get him to move a little bit and maybe stretch out some.
How are you moving him around? Is he just staying on the couch? Please feel free to send me a message or something for more information if you need any more help. I'm sorry about his leg and will be praying for a speedy recovery!
2006-06-18 12:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Leslie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get a wheel chair for him so that we could do things. I understand that you can't also get out but my kids love the movies, eating out and just driving around. I would even take him out for walks in his chair. If you don't have a chair for him I suggest the basics let him talk on the phone try to have a friend and family over frequently and maybe introducing the Internet with a large amount of supervision and restrictions. This seems like a hard time don't it drive yourself crazy. Good luck
2006-06-18 12:36:18 · answer #2 · answered by AUD 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he likes adventure game but him that. That would keep him occupied for a while. If he has friends ask him to invite his friend over and play video game with him.
2006-06-18 12:29:15 · answer #3 · answered by Ceon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well buy him new movies or psp games u can draw make stories things like that well i am sorry that he got hit by a car
2006-06-18 12:29:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him chose what he wants to do maybe you could get him a wheelchair so he can go around the house and go outside and you could take him for a walk
2006-06-18 12:28:49 · answer #5 · answered by Hanging_By_A_Moment 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried making things, see what you can find around then both of you try and think off something to make. myself and my son have been making a football pitch out of bits and bobs it's fun and gets their imagination working.
2006-06-18 12:30:22 · answer #6 · answered by CATWOMAN xxx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do some arts and crafts with him, bake some cookies, and invite some of his friends over for some pizzas and stuff.
2006-06-18 12:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by baby_luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can play games such as question games: tell him one day before to think of 10 questions for you and you will think of 10 for him,too.Then the other day you will ask each one his question to the other and each one of you will give answers to the others' question...
you can also buy him two particular balls that are made to do tricks so he can work it...
you can practise painting...
2006-06-18 12:35:37 · answer #8 · answered by hahanos! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy some crafts for him or give him things he can do for you that might keep him busy. Models are always good for boys his age
2006-06-18 12:40:55 · answer #9 · answered by Luvnu_always baby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of reading to him, hand him the book.
2006-06-18 12:27:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋