How to keep kids busy at the doctor's office

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Soon, we’ll all be heading into doctors’ offices getting those annual check ups before we send the kids back to school. Here are a few tips that can help you keep the kids calm and out of trouble.

Ways to keep your kids busy in a doctor's office:

 

  • ABC Scavenger Hunt – One of our favorites, because it’s so easy to do and requires no supplies. Start with A and either look for objects or words around the room that begin with each letter of the alphabet.
  • Color me a picture – Bring your crayons and have your child create pictures on the exam table paper or in coloring books.
  • Draw it out – Take the same idea as above, but have your kids draw shapes and people. I have found that over the years, the doctors ask the kids to do this as part of the exam anyway as a way of testing their development. If you have this done, not only have you kept them busy but you’ve saved a few minutes of exam time
  • Read a book – Take advantage of the books in the exam room or bring your own. Use the waiting time to spend quality time reading together.
  • Mini Field day – How many times have you been asked by the doctor can your kid do this or that? Honestly, during our most recent visit I couldn’t remember if my son could hop on one foot. Use this time to test your kids skills. Can they hop on one foot? Walk a straight line with their eyes closed? Do they know where their hips are? Be funny. Be silly. Get them active and test their skills while you wait.
  • Go go gadget – Bring their favorite smart toy or lend them your smart phone to play an educational game as you wait.
  • Play a game – Many games require no paper or supplies. Try

    • I spy
    • 20 questions
    • Charades
  • Games to go – If you think ahead, these games travel well and are quiet enough to be played with in a doctors office.

How do you keep your kids busy at the doctor’s office? Do you have a tip you can share with other parents?

Jennifer Auer is a South Jersey mom. Check out her blog, Jersey Family Fun.

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