To ask how I can keep an immobile 3 year old entertained in hospital?

@Bertielong3our play specialist left one of those bubble gun things on top of the bored trolley. I was ridiculously disappointed that it was empty. Everyone was hot and tetchy yesterday, we needed bubbles to play with. (And that was just the nurses!)

this happened to us as well. My 4 year old broke his femur. Traction for ten days then a hip spica cast for 8 weeks. The cast was better than the traction because he was home and I could push him about.

loads of tv- it’s an emergency. Loads of games. He learned to play games I didn’t think he was capable of. He can now play chess really quite well and people are shocked. I just shrug and say he broke his leg….

hope you are okay it’s super stressful.

What about a projector for the ceiling, can get them with stars/galaxy’s that move around or the torches that have removable lenses that have shapes (usually dinos or similar) that he can shine onto the ceiling?

My son was weirdly obsessed with Transformer Rescue Bot toys around that age. I wasn't sure at first but they are non-violent nice chunky toys for small hands. They are quite light so should be fine to use whilst lying on his back. My son honestly used to spend ages just transforming them back and forth.

They are quite expensive brand new but you could probably pick up a bunch fairly cheaply on Vinted or eBay.

If he can use his arms he might like one of those scratch art sets....you just scratch away at a black piece of card with a little stick and it reveals a colourful picture.

(My youngest is 5 but I think it would be safe for a supervised 3 year old)

Fuzzy felts?

I’m sure the nurses will be able to provide advice, it will hardly be the first time they’ve experienced it.

It’s grim - same here with my ds and nappies, and a spiral fracture, I’m not going to lie it was rough but it does end eventually, sending you lots of healing thoughts and patience

I was trapped in a ward with just my 2 year old who also had a leg injury and couldn't walk. We couldn't leave at all because I'd been near someone who'd had covid in a waiting room. Honestly, naps and TV. I tried books and blocks and generally entertaining him. It was exhausting and we still spent most of the time watching TV. A few days of intensive cartoons isn't going to hurt him. He'll probably remember it positively as he spent days snuggling you and watching TV.

Once he’s happy moving again. You can get him back out of Nappies. Ask for diazepam at night as he goes off to sleep, if he’s having muscle spasms. Should wear off in a few days and within a week or so he won’t be needing any pain relief.

Speedy recovery!!

If you are feeling bad about too much screen time then how about showing him something like number blocks. Yes, it's still screen time but it's brilliant and as educational as screen time for a 3 year old can be.

Oh poor you and your DS, that sounds so difficult. I'll echo PPs and say please don't worry about screen time, get some decent comfy headphones and let him watch as much as he likes!

If you both need a break from screens though, Flying Tiger does lots of little travel games and toys for just a few pounds each (my nearly 3 year old DS loves their flying sharks). We're also big fans of picture books like Wimmelbooks, and their My Little Wimmelbook range are small enough that he may be able to hold them by himself even lying down. Or what about making up some small photobooks with pictures of family/friends/pets/etc from somewhere like Snapfish?

Presuming from your OP, did the poor child break his femur? It must be a major break anyway if he can't move. In this situation, just accept there will be more screen time. He can make up for lost time when he's more mobile again.
@Caligirl80 I can't see a few bubbles here and there doing any harm, I imagine the play team will do that with a supervised session so no other children are put to any harm 🙄

Little plays and stories using his soft toys.
Glove puppets
Finger puppets

The Works do some great travel games which could work including one called “What Am I?”. Keeps my little one busy.
How about play doh, Duplo, stickle bricks, Magna tiles or colouring books,

Teach him to read and count and colours. Sounds insane but honestly it fills the time and won’t hurt him.

Also absolutely nothing wrong with bubbles in hospital.

I’ve looked after heaps of kids in traction. They absolutely can move. And by the end, the only thing keeping them in the bed is the traction! Usually they are too scared to move at first. But once the pain settles they are very mobile. Do not let him play with scissors unsupervised, we had a toddler cut his traction.

Another vote for screens. It is tricky balancing what you would do at home and what needs to be done at the hospital. There are plenty of educational videos and audio-books, so you can also go for quality, if you have the energy and if it interests you DC.

After every hospital visit, we do need to wean off devices, but they are invaluable in the hospital.

All the very best for you and your DC.

Are you planning to come to hospital round your work shifts? When will you sleep?

I think you need to accept lots of screen time. He is going to be in pain and probably rather frightened. It's not the time to worry about screen time. Oh and gey off your phone and mumsnet for the duration of his recovery so you can feel just how boring it is for him. Solidarity as they say.

Your poor son, that sounds incredibly tough for both of you. Things that my 3 year old likes that might work:

• magnet tiles (the mideer ones are very robust and good quality).
• magnet story books (like this: There are loads of options depending on his interests)
• maze/puzzle books (He can just use his finger if the pen is too hard)
• eye spy books (Like this)
• beads or other small craft activities that he can easily lift (Beads, playdoh etc)
• Games for toddlers that you can hold up for him (Snap, Memory games, eye spy), you might need to alter the rules a bit to make it easier to play lying down.
• sticker books- the Usborne ones are great
• using small toys and figures that he can easily lift to tell stories or play games
• Duplo can be easily lifted or he can tell you where to put the pieces and discuss ideas with you
• Mini Yoto (although they’re expensive it might be worth it)
• Books for counting and letters- my son likes to practice and also use his finger to ‘draw’ the letters and numbers.

If you speak to the nurses then they might have suggestions of things that have worked well for other patients (they’ll have cared for other kids in a similar situation) or there might be a play therapist who can help with ideas and resources.

Also, don’t feel bad about resorting to a lot of screen time. It’s a difficult situation and you can make it more interactive by discussing what he’s watching with him.