4 surprising ways to entertain kids at the doctor’s office

We have been fortunate that overall, our kids are pretty healthy. But when Peeper had to go to the doctor’s office a bunch last month, I found myself stretching to keep her happy as we waited. The waiting room isn’t inherently fun (unless you’re a fan of fielding 100 questions about getting a shot), but it’s not impossible to entertain kids at the doctor’s office. With a little creativity (and by swiping some of your pediatrician’s stuff!), you and your kids can have fun while you wait and the doctor’s office!

4 ways to entertain your kids at the doctor’s office

With these 4 tips to have fun at the doctor’s office, your kids won’t notice how long they have to wait for the pediatrician.

Glove balloons

Open up the cupboards at the doctor’s office and find an exam glove, then blow it up like a balloon. You and your kids will have a blast batting it back and forth!

Tongue depressor puppets

My mom used to make these for us when we were sick: You can draw faces on the wooden tongue depressors you’ll also find in the supplies cupboard. You’ll definitely entertain kids at the doctor’s office with a puppet show once you sketch characters onto the tongue depressors.

You can also let your kids make their own characters. Bonus points if you draw a likeness to your pediatrician!

Color on the exam table

You know the white paper doctors use to cover the exam table? It’s perfect for an instant drawing surface! Simply color on it—most doctor’s offices have crayons (just ask where they keep ’em), or you can be uber prepared by bringing your own.

If your kids are like mine, they’ll be thrilled they get to color on the furniture—all in the name of getting better!

Be the patient

Ask your child to be the doctor. She can use the supplies in the room (e.g. tongue depressors and the like) to examine you, pretend to take your temperature, and diagnose you. With a little luck, she’ll prescribe extra hugs and give you a lollypop on your way out.

Take the whine out of waiting

The doctor’s office isn’t at the top of the Most Fun Places in the Universe list—after all, your kids likely associate it with pokes, prods, shots and sickness—but with a little ingenuity, you can help ease their anxiety. When you entertain kids at the doctor’s office, you not only make waiting for the pediatrician pass more quickly; you build positive memories for your kids.

When you make the doctor’s office fun, you’ll have an easier time getting your kids to go for a check-up fight-free. And when kids are more willing to go to the doctor’s office, the healthier they’ll be. That is good news for the whole family.

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Do you have tricks to entertain kids at the doctor’s office? Please share them in the comments section!