Craft Away the Sniffles the Disney Way
What I love being encompassed in: sunshine, animals, toys, and anything Disney. What I don’t like being encompassed in: a sea of coughing, nose-blowing, watery-eyed folks battling colds. Unfortunately for me- and everyone else I know- our days have seen much more of the latter recently, and despite bathing with Lysol wipes and washing our hair with hand sanitizer, landing sick in bed is pretty commonplace.
Think for a minute and I’m sure you can rattle off a list of friends and family you know who have fallen victim to this year’s flu, and spring far from is around the corner, we have months of flu-battling ahead before we’re in the clear!
Maybe even worse than being sick is everything that comes along with it, and if you’ve got a housebound child used to being active and creative, finding ways to keep their minds occupied while they regain their health is a very tall task. Since you’re reading this article I think it’s safe to assume you’re a Disney head, so you’re well aware that keeping sickness at bay all starts with a Mouse. Turn your next sick day into a stay at home extravaganza with these easy movie and craft pairing ideas…no trip to the store required!
Flip Frowns Upside Down With Crowns
Yes, even Princesses get sick. Princes too. But a day spent away from public engagements (school) doesn’t have to be a total loss! Pop in your favorite Disney princess film and get down to some royal crafting with your heir or heiress. My choice of film would be The Little Mermaid, or Beauty and the Beast, but any of the princess films will do! Choose your child’s favorite, and sit down for a great sick day flick.
After the film is over, the fun really begins. Grab a box from cereal, crackers, a case of soda, anything with thin cardboard will do. Have your royal heirs and heiresses draw a crown design on the blank side of the cardboard and ask them to color it in. If you run a craft-y household, pull out all the stops with bedazzle beads, glitter, stickers, and whatever else you have lying around to make the crowns really pop.
When they’ve finished decorating, cut it out for them, but leave a long strip of cardboard attached at the base (long enough to wrap around their head), and secure in the back with a tie. Here are some photos to help you through the process. I bet those sick day tears will turn into big smiles when they see themselves in the mirror!
Andy’s Favorite Craft
Growing up, I’d lobby for any reason to skip out on school. But for some reason, I always wanted to go when I had been feeling sick for days on end and couldn’t stand the thought of another day spent at home with bad daytime TV- hey, even kids shows aren’t good during the day! Getting back to school was my main focus after a few bedridden days, and if you’re feeling that way right about now, make back to school (or work!) the goal!
Toy Story is a fantastic film for boys, girls, teenagers, and adults looking to kick the sick to the curb as it succeeds in taking us on a great adventure with Andy’s toys and allows us to escape the very real reality of the horrible sniffles for a little while.
After you watch the film and wishes to go back to school are once again heard, keep your child’s spirits up with this alien lunch bag craft! Simply take a paper bag, have your child color it, decorate it, and make it look like one of the little green aliens from the Toy Story films, and assure them that they’ll be the envy of all their classmates when they’re well enough to return to school carrying their lunch in this awesomely creative tote!
Take a Bite of the Dark Side
Your head is already spinning from all that mucus, but Han Solo will knock your equilibrium even more of course when you board the Millennium Falcon and watch a Star Wars film on your sick day. There are two really fun and creative crafts that are very simple to do and don’t require much planning or prep. All you’ll need for this first one are pretzel rods, white chocolate, and a bit of food dye.
Simply color melted white chocolate green, blue, or red, and dip your pretzel rods ¾ of the way into the chocolate, leaving the base exposed. You’ll end up with an adorably delicious snack worthy of any Jedi. Play a game of lightsaber duel and see whose pretzel rod holds up the longest…but no matter who wins, everyone gets to eat their treats in the end!
This one requires some pre-planning and is great if you’re looking at spending day 2 or 3 with a lingering flu on the couch. You will be granted the rank of Jedi master if you make the dough yourself, but pre-made, roll out gingerbread or molasses cookie dough from the grocery store works just fine. Simply grab your gingerbread man cookie cutter, punch out some men, and use a fork to create a ‘fur’ texture on the surface of the cookie.
After they bake, paint some chocolate frosting across your Wookie’s body and adorn it with white spots of sprinkles or frosting to create Chewie’s signature strap. You’ve heard what they say about Wookie cookies…they’re pretty CHEWIE.
Being sick downright stinks, but boredom at home doesn’t have to add to already downturned spirits! These film and craft combos are really fun to do together with your sick child. I’m a full-grown adult and honestly, I would love it if someone planned one of these crafts for me the next time I’m sick! Nothing quite gets the mind off feeling under the weather like a movie and an activity, so I’m excited to hear, which film/craft pairing will you try? Let me know in the comments below!
Are you planning to book a Disney vacation for you and your family? I’d love to help! You can find me over on Facebook, or contact me directly at msalerno@mickeytravels.com, or 800-308-6257