One of my child's classmates is in the hospital recovering from an injury, and the classmate's birthday falls during his stay. I would like to bring a little surprise to the hospital to cheer him up and let him know we are thinking of him. We don't know the family well, but are on friendly terms. Would this be appropriate? What would you bring? I was thinking maybe of a balloon and something like a book or small game to help the child pass the long hours in the hospital room.
We'd love to say a brief hello to the patient if he feels up to it, but if not, we can drop the gift at the nurses' station for him.
Thanks, everyone! We ended up taking a balloon and a little activity book, but I really think just visiting was the best present of all. The patient looked so happy!
Word search book?
Travel Yahtzee?
I.Q. Electronic game (My 9 year old likes the 20 Questions O.)
Rubiks Cube?
Magic 8 Ball?
Fiction book?
Non fiction book related to an interest of the child?
Snacks (if allowed)
Crayons/paper/coloring books
Army guys?
I'd go to the dollar store and fill a plastic tote with all kinds of fun stuff. Toys, goodies, games, crafts....just a fun box of things to do. You can usually get balloons there too for a lot cheaper than the regular stores.
I don't know the age group, but when my cousin was in the hospital we brought him a new Lego set (he was really into Star Wars, and we got him one that was complex and took him a few hours to complete.) He loved it, and he still has it assembled (he is now 35 years old).
We spent 6mo in and out of the hospital last year. Oy.
Balloon for sure!!!
Nano-Bugs
Polar tech blanket (for wheelchair rides) ESP if a boy. For some reason THOUSANDS of girly ones get donated, but very few boyish ones (boys are in hospital, too!).. Pirates, skating, sporty... Dark blues, reds, black... Are all in VERY short supply. Polar tech washes and dries in jib time, which is important.
Mad Libs
Flavored Chapstick
Bubbles
Movies (often too tired to read)... Just check with hospital what kind of system they have
(( Most children's hospitals have Nintendo Wiis... Because they can be used one handed and only require MINIMAL wrist flicks. Ha. So the opposite of the intent of Wii. Hand me down / used wii games IF the hospital has Wiis are coveted))
Colorful flip flops
Pillow pets
Magnet games / travel games (full size doesn't sit on the bed, well) Boggle is a good example). NOTE: in children's hospital they usually have whole rooms full of boardgames that can be checked out. Regular hospitals it's 50/50.
Origami if he has use of both hands
ITunes gift card (phone games are SUPER popular, plus music, movies, etc.)
Cookie Bouquet
Glowsticks
One of my granddaughters once had to be hospitalized a few days unexpectedly and I called my sister to let her know. When she came by a couple of hours later she had a gift basket she'd made up, with several types of bubble gum, some jelly candies, a small stuffed bunny (it was the week of Easter) lip glosses, a small Slinky, a cup, a card, and a Mylar balloon tied to the basket. It looked great and when I asked her where she's gotten it she told me she went to the $1 store by her home, she'd paid $13 for everything, including the basket and balloon!
So my suggestion is to to hit up a $1 store and see what they have. I usually get my Christmas stocking stuffers and Easter basket fillers there, and the kids always love them. You should be able to find action figures (I get 8 good sized police or firemen ones in a bag,) coloring books and crayons, small puzzles, etc,...take your son with you and have him pick out things he would like. Add a card and festive balloon and I'm sure his classmate will be delighted to have his birthday acknowledged and some things to keep him occupied during his stay.
I might drop off a gift but would ask first if they want visitors. Gift a video or a pillow pet.
You don't say how old the child is but no matter what it is a great idea!
~I would call the Mom and see if the kid has his DS or other handheld video game player with him and if so I would go to GameStop or a pawnshop and buy a 'new to him' but used game, they are SO cheap! Nothing is harder on kids than being confined to a bed and this would help pass the time! *But my kids are video game enthusiasts!
If they are not video game players maybe a board game, the family can play...age appropriate, of course. Operation maybe? :)
Target has an excellent board game selection and LOTS of compact ones that come in their own cases!!
Everytime I visit someone in the hospital, no matter WHAT the age, I bring them a Pillow Pet. I took my mom the bee, she collects bees, and she LOVED it and she's 65! =)
For a younger kid, I would also take a little electronic game, like Poker, but not the poker one, one more age appropriate. You can get them at Walgreen's and Walmart places for about $10. We have about 30 of them here and even tho my kids have a DS, they play with these games also. My sons latest favorite is the word search one and he's 9. Good luck!
I'd get a balloon and a lego set.
A book is a good idea too.
Um a drawing pad/doodle pad/coloring book and crayons /colored pencils.
Grade appropriate work book
How about a puzzle-maybe a 3D one depending on his age or a Lego set.
I think balloons and a little activity/ book would be great. Or a new DVD movie - most hospital rooms have DVD players.
My daughter got a magnetic dress up doll book at her last stay in the hospital and we had fun with that.
Definitely check with the mom/nurses station. Depending on the extent of the injury, the parents and child might be too tired for visitors.
That's a nice idea.
If the child is expected to recover soon, how about something to look forward to when he's out of the hospital, like a gift certificate to the movies or to a popular pizza place? (that might not be the best idea if he'll be hospitalized for a long time).
If the child is able to get up and about, how about some fun slippers? If he is confined to bed but has use of his hands and arms, then how about a basket of craft items, like pipe cleaners and Wiki sticks if he's young, or Legos if he's a little older?
And be sure to only get a Mylar balloon (the foil balloons). Most hospitals ban the traditional rubber/latex balloons now.
I would think they would appreciate the visit more than anything. That is so thoughtful of you. (My kids love books but not all kids do. I think I would bring a game or art project assuming he can use his arms/hands)
Stuffed animal would be nice also.
Something to pass the time: activity book, DVD if they have a dvd player,
hand held travel games, checkers set, notepad w/fun pens.
Balloon
How nice of you!
Maybe a balloon bouquet and a sticker book where he gets to match stickers to spots on the pages?
