Things to take for all day at hospital

[Coffeemonster1]

Our lg is going down to theatre under GA at Oxford on Monday. She will have to be nil by mouth from 8am and the procedure won't happen until anywhere between 2.30pm and 4pm. She then has to wait 2 hours after the GA wears off until she can swallow safely and try to eat. They have said to bring lots to entertain her. I am going this afternoon to register her at our local library so we can take some 'new' books that will occupy her better than her old ones. Snacks are usually out trick to distract occasionally but this is a no go. Any ideas of things we can take to keep her busy? Something maybe a little different?

How old is she? If she's old enough some (clean) craft things, sticker books, Lego. I was in hospital a lot as a child, my mums trick to keep me entertained was to produce lots of toys I'd never seen before. She did this by borrowing things from friends, relatives, & charity shops. They weren't particularly special/expensive, just different. Don't borrow anything really special though as things go missing easily in hospital, would be worth putting some sticky name labels on as well. The ward will also have a playroom stocked with lots of things, if she's not well enough to go in you can bring things out to her. They might also have some activities going on with a play specialist.
Would also be worth thinking about how you're going to distract yourself whilst she's in theatre. The length of time she's away will feel long, & things like waiting for porters/spare nurse to go collect her will add to the wait. However long they tell you she'll be down add another hour for delays before you worry. Good luck & hope she has a super speedy recovery.

Perhaps some comics based on her favourite character. They will have puzzles, colouring in pages (take some crayons) as well as shorter stories to keep her attention. They always have a novel little toy on them too.
A sticker album eg Hello Kitty or Skylanders and some packets of stickers too might help.
Top trumps used to be a favourite of my DS at these times too.
I wish you well for Monday, it's a nerve wracking time.

Thanks for your replies ladies. She is 18 months so at that stage where she wants to be independent, but won't be feeling well enough to do much. Got a feeling it's going to be a tough day xx

Oh that's a difficult age to entertain all day, especially when hungry... I wish you all the best and lots of strength. About the only thing that would keep my dd happy for long at that age was looking at photos of herself on phone/ipad - as a baby and more recent - and talking all about them.

Oh that's gonna be hard work, ds2 is 18 months, nothing amuses him for more than 5/10 mins, although he does watch tele sometimes, maybe download some programs onto Iplayer on your phone.

If you could get her to have a good long morning nap that would be good, maybe take her buggy in if you are allowed incase she won't sleep in the cot, put a blanket over the hood incase of bright hospital lights.

Erm...a few bits of train track and a train, duplo, stacking cups...

Sorry not much help