Thoughtful Get Well Soon Gifts For Kids Stuck At Home Poorly

We design and print our own cards in the UK and post them ourselves, so the card advice here comes from the inside. Anything else recommended is an outside pick, not something we stock.

A poorly child at home is bored, fed up and usually a bit sad about missing things. The best get well gifts are small, quiet and easy to do lying down.

Here's what to put in the parcel, plus what to write in the card.

What goes in the care package

• A card they can prop up by the bed. It's the part they keep, and the part that says the people at school are thinking about them.
• A joke book. Light, funny, needs no energy, and it's the one thing that reliably gets a laugh out of a fed-up child on the sofa.
• A sticker book or a colouring pad that works on a lap.
• A word search or puzzle book for the older ones.
• A soft new pair of socks. Unglamorous, always used.
• A comic or a magazine, which feels like a treat rather than a task.
• Their favourite squash and a snack they're allowed.
• A small toy or figure, if they're well enough to play sitting up.

What to leave out

• Anything loud, if they've got a headache or an ear infection.
• Big construction sets. Too much effort for day two of a temperature.
• Sweets, unless you've checked with the parents.
• Balloons and flowers for a hospital ward - most UK wards don't allow them.
• Anything that needs charging or setting up by an already tired adult.

What to write in a get well card for a child

• Get well soon - everyone at school says hello and it's boring without you.
• Heard you're poorly. Sending you a rubbish joke: what do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore.
• Sorry you're stuck inside. Save your energy and we'll do something brilliant when you're better.
• We're thinking of you. Rest up, eat the snacks, watch too much telly.
• Hope you feel better soon. Your seat's waiting for you.
• Feel better soon, brave thing. You're doing really well.

Shop all cards

How to write it so it lands

• Post the card even if the parcel is late. It's the bit that gets read twice.
• Ask the parents what they're allowed to eat before you add snacks.
• One quiet activity is plenty. Two is optimistic.

Where to shop next

• Cheap stocking fillers for kids
• Keeping kids entertained at Christmas dinner
• Games to play in the car with kids
• Sleepover activities for kids
• Talent show ideas for kids
• Rainy day activities for kids
• Best travel toys for kids
• Random joke generator
• Riddle of the day
• Printables and activity sheets
• Shop kids' birthday cards
• Shop party bag fillers
• Get Well Soon Card Messages
• Get Well Gifts
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What are good get well soon gifts for kids?

Small, quiet things that work lying down: a card, a joke book, a sticker or colouring pad, a comic, cosy socks and a favourite snack. Leave out anything loud or effortful.

What do you put in a get well care package for a child?

A card from friends, something funny to read, one quiet activity, comfy socks, a drink and a snack. Keep it small - a poorly child doesn't have the energy for a big box.

What do you write in a get well card for a child?

Keep it short and light: say you're thinking of them, say school is boring without them, and put a silly joke in. Avoid anything that sounds serious or worried.

What can you send to a child in hospital?

Check the ward's rules first - most UK wards don't allow flowers, balloons or latex. Cards, books, sticker pads and small quiet activities are almost always fine.

Do you sell books or toys?

No. We design and print cards, enamel pin badges, prints and party decorations, all posted from the UK. Any book or toy mentioned here is an outside recommendation, not something we stock.