What do you take a poorly 13 year old boy?

[BenWillbondsPants]

DN is unwell at the moment and will be in hospital for some time. He's bored stiff. What can I take for him to try to keep him occupied?

Rubix cube

Football magazine

Lego set

Sudoku book

Some sort of hand held gaming device

Puzzle books and colouring book/pens and paper. Even if he wouldn't chose these usually.

Books to read

Agree with above suggestions, especially console, Nintendo Switch would be great, can play solo when alone or with visitors

If he is allowed tablet/phone (and parents agree) credit for games or online subscription relating to a hobby such as football or gaming.

Otherwise paper copies of magazines or books - nothing too heavy or school like. Maybe his parents know if he is reading a particular series.

There’s these great where’s the.... zombie? Sloth? Etc books like where’s wally but cooler. www.amazon.co.uk/Wheres-Zombie-Post-Apocalyptic-Adventure-Activity/dp/1843179431/ref=nodl_?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Audible membership?

Pack of cards
Magazines linked to his interests
Putty
If he is crafty at all- or maybe even if he isn't, my ds did different things to kill time in hospital origami paper and books. You can get some paper plane ones linked to things like star wars.

Websites like wicked uncle have good ideas for gifts, some will be suitable for hospitals.

He's got his tablet and Switch so puzzle books etc might be a welcome change.

Lego for the older age groups, some of the architecture ones are quite small

Nintendo switch and games

Books - Rick Riorden, Funny facts, Freakonomics

Paint by numbers

Puzzles, painting by numbers, books, puzzle books, if he has a specific interest you could bring him a book concerning that.

Puzzle game - maybe like Rush Hour where you have a set of progressively harder puzzles to manipulate the cars free from? Or puzzle books?

Agree with audible credits, or some other downloaded books.

Lego sets

Maybe even a making kit - electronics or similar?
Magic set? One aimed at adults - he could practice then entertain others?

Dvds - how about classic teen films from 80s 90s? Back to the Future, Goonies, that kind of thing? My ds when to a wakeover at a similar age - I was slightly concerned the films might be difficult to choose as 12/13 yos had seen a wide variety but the mum had a load of classics from her childhood that went down really well.

Card or board games - you could play with him, and he could perhaps play with others on the ward? Dobble, Uno, Exploding Kittens, Sushi Go, or perhaps couple of packs of cards and book of card games and solitaire games?

DS would be ecstatic to receive books, but I would check what he likes/has/favourite authors.

Bloxxels.
IQ games.

• A gaming magazine if he's into computer games, Nintendo or whatever he plays.

• Manga comic, or comic from the Marvel group/superheroes.

*Guinness book of Records or Ripleys Believe it of not books

Puzzleball jigsaw? They are fairly small so don’t take up as much room as a normal jigsaw.

There’s also a company like Lego - can’t remember the name- that does small Lego-like sets of historical buildings (Empire State Building, Taj Mahal etc) My D.C. liked those at that age.

If you go for things like Lego (great idea!) think about sending some tubs that can be used for storage purposes

If he has wifi/data, then a Readly subscription for a month - you can read thousands of magazines online on all sorts of subjects. Good for dipping in and out of.

Also a fuzzy fleecy blanket and a pillow case made from flannel or something really soft

A new game for the switch - there are a bunch of new releases in July

Maybe some lavender in a sachet to help with sleepless nights

Wet wipes in a cucumber or aloe fragrance, not too flowery, but enough to de stick and freshen up

When my 17 year old was in hospital for a few weeks recently we bought a portable DVD player (about £30) and a few films - box sets like Back to the Future and The Hustle. Nothing too taxing but good for him to watch with his headphones in when he felt like it, without disturbing other patients.
Hope your DN gets home soon, OP.

Just a small suggestion. If he has a tablet/phone a long charging cable could be really handy and liberating. I got one so I could watch things etc on my tablet without being tethered by a short cord. Made a big difference when not feeling well and resting in bed/on couch.