A broken bone can be a challenging experience for children and toddlers, particularly a broken leg – but it doesn’t have to mean endless boredom and frustration. While physical activity might be limited during the healing process, there are still plenty of fun and engaging activities that can keep young ones entertained and their spirits high.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 25 creative activities that children and toddlers with a broken leg can enjoy while on the mend. From imaginative play to artistic endeavors, these activities will help turn their recovery time into a period of joy and exploration.
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25 Easy Toddler Broken Leg Activities
1. Storytelling Sessions: Gather some favorite books and let your child’s imagination run wild as you read together (even if they are stuck there suffering in a full leg cast!). You can even encourage them to create their own stories.
2. Puzzle Play: While your toddler’s fracture heals, puzzles are a great way to engage their minds and keep them entertained for hours. Choose age-appropriate puzzles that challenge their cognitive skills.
3. Indoor Treasure Hunt: Set up a treasure hunt with clues leading to hidden surprises around the house. This will keep them excited and moving within their comfort zone and out of the emergency room!
4. Board Games: Classic board games like Snakes and Ladders, Candy Land, or Chutes and Ladders can provide hours of entertainment and family bonding. See our resources section below for some good ideas.
5. Arts and Crafts: Engage their artistic side with coloring books, painting, and simple craft projects that can be done while seated. Just be sure to cover that cast with a plastic bag if there is any liquid involved!!
6. Building with Blocks: Let their creativity shine by building structures with blocks, LEGO bricks, or even household items like pillows and cushions. A couple of hours of the mental challenge of DUPLO and they’ll be ready for some well-deserved screen time.
7. Virtual Tours: Explore the world through virtual tours of museums, zoos, and landmarks. This can be an educational and visually stimulating experience and most museums these days have websites that host these kinds of experiences – waterproof cast not required!
8. Cooking Adventures: Safely involve them in the kitchen with tasks like mixing, decorating cookies, or assembling simple snacks. A little sweet treat baked themselves is a great reward after a tough day of physical therapy.
9. Shadow Puppet Theater: During the first week stuck at home, create a mini-theater using a flashlight and a wall, and put on shadow puppet shows with cut-out shapes. Then perform a new show every week until freedom arrived.
10. Stuffed Animal Clinic: Turn their stuffed animals into patients and play doctor. This can be both entertaining and help them process their own medical experience and treatment options.
11. DIY Playdough Fun: Make homemade playdough and let them shape and mold their own creations. This sensory activity is great for imaginative play while awaiting the sign off from the orthopedic surgeon.
12. Story Stones: Paint or draw characters, animals, and objects on smooth stones to inspire storytelling and imaginative play. Or, even better – get creative on your toddler’s own plaster cast.
13. Movie Marathon: Choose a series of age-appropriate movies or cartoons for a cozy movie marathon with popcorn and blankets while your children’s bones mend themselves.
14. Gardening Indoors: Introduce them to the world of plants by growing small indoor plants or herbs in pots. This can teach them about nurturing and responsibility without the extra risk of getting their cast wet out in the garden.
15. Interactive Apps: Discover educational apps and games designed for young children that can be enjoyed on a tablet or smartphone without the need to strap on a walking boot or use a pair of crutches.
16. Sock Puppet Show: Create sock puppets and put on puppet shows, encouraging creativity and storytelling. This is a good way to put those stray socks to use!
17. Science Experiments: Perform simple and safe science experiments at home that can captivate their curiosity. Some toddler-safe science experiments that are great for a fun activity can be found here at Mommy Poppins.
18. Music Time: Introduce them to different types of music and encourage them to create their own tunes with simple instruments or household items. Get older children and siblings to help out so you can have a break mama.
19. Balloon Volleyball: Set up a gentle balloon volleyball game that promotes physical activity without putting strain on the healing leg. Not a good one when they are in severe pain – but maybe as they get closer to recovery.
20. Origami Adventure: Learn the art of paper folding together and create animals, airplanes, and other fun shapes.
21. Decorate a Cast: If the cast allows, let them get creative with non-toxic markers or stickers to decorate their cast. Have some warm water near by to clean up any accidental mishaps – and a dry cloth to avoid moisture getting inside the cast.
22. Magic Shows: Encourage them to put on magic shows with simple tricks and illusions. This boosts their confidence and creativity – and is much more rewarding than video games all day long.
23. Storytime Podcasts: Explore the world of podcasts designed for children, with engaging stories and adventures.
24. Window Art: Use washable markers to draw on windows and create temporary masterpieces. Just be sure to have your toddler in a cast cover to avoid any accidents.
25. Educational Videos: Introduce them to educational YouTube channels that offer entertaining and informative videos tailored for their age group. This will save heeeaaaapps of boredom during the operating room recovery time!
Toddler Broken Leg Activities FAQ
**1. Can my toddler engage in physical activities with a broken leg?**
While vigorous physical activities should generally be avoided to allow proper healing (and to stop that fiberglass cast from breaking), there are many low-impact activities that toddlers can enjoy without putting strain on the broken leg. Always consult your child’s doctor for specific recommendations based on their condition.
**2. How can I keep my toddler entertained indoors during their recovery?**
Indoor activities like arts and crafts, puzzles, board games, storytelling, and imaginative play can keep your toddler engaged and entertained while they’re indoors. Just make sure they aren’t too physical and stick to the medical advice given about moving about.
**3. Are there any creative activities that can help distract my toddler from the discomfort of a broken leg?**
Activities like shadow puppet theater, movie marathons, storytelling sessions, and interactive apps can help divert their attention from any discomfort they might be experiencing. These can be great distractions from the fun they are missing out on at the local park with their friends.
**4. Can my toddler participate in arts and crafts with a broken leg?**
Absolutely! Arts and crafts activities that don’t require much movement, such as coloring, painting, and simple crafting, can be both enjoyable and therapeutic for your toddler. Just don’t expect any masterpieces if they are on strong pain relief!
**5. How can I encourage my toddler’s imagination during their recovery period?**
Activities like storytelling, puppet shows, building with blocks, and origami can stimulate your toddler’s imagination and creativity without affecting the injured part of their body.
**6. What if my toddler is getting restless from being indoors all the time?**
Consider indoor gardening, gentle balloon volleyball, decorating a cast (if allowed by the doctor), or even educational videos to keep them engaged while still adhering to their healing needs and keeping them in that living room.
**7. Are there any educational activities that can support my toddler’s learning during this time?**
Virtual tours, interactive apps, educational YouTube channels, and DIY science experiments are a great activity for healing time and can provide opportunities for learning and exploration.
**8. How can I ensure my toddler’s safety while engaging in these activities?**
Prioritize your toddler’s safety by choosing activities that align with their comfort levels and medical recommendations. Supervise them closely during activities and avoid anything that could potentially put additional strain on their broken leg.
**9. Are there any activities that involve interaction with others?**
Yes, activities like board games, cooking adventures, puppet shows, and building with blocks are “normal activities” that can be enjoyed with family members or friends, promoting social interaction and bonding.
**10. How can I manage my toddler’s frustration or sadness about their broken leg?**
Engage in activities that shift their focus, such as arts and crafts, storytelling, or creating a cast decoration. Be patient, offer comfort, and acknowledge their feelings as they navigate their healing journey.
Remember, the healing process is a temporary phase, and engaging in these activities can make the experience more positive and enjoyable for both you and your toddler. Always prioritize your child’s comfort and well-being, and consult with their doctor for personalized recommendations.
A broken leg might temporarily limit a child’s physical activity, but it doesn’t have to limit their imagination, creativity, and overall enjoyment. These 25 activities are designed to keep children and toddlers engaged, entertained, and learning while they heal. Remember, the healing process can be a time for quality bonding, exploration, and discovering new interests.
By providing a mix of activities that cater to their various interests, you can make the recovery period a time of fun and positivity. Always ensure that the chosen activities align with their comfort levels and medical recommendations to ensure a safe and joyful healing journey.
Toddler Broken Leg Activities: Resources
eeBoo I Never Forget A Face
Memory & Matching Game
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