Great, My Kid Got a Concussion. Now What?

Keeping Your Child Occupied After a Suspected Concussion

If you’re reading this, chances are your child has just experienced a concussion, or you suspect they might have one. First, take a deep breath. Concussions can feel scary, but most children recover fully with proper care and patience. The key is creating a calm environment that supports healing while avoiding activities that could make symptoms worse.

One of the biggest challenges for parents? Keeping kids occupied without screens. Phones, tablets, and TVs are off-limits because they can strain the brain and delay recovery. So what can you do instead? Below are practical, low-stimulation activities and tips to help your child rest, recover, and stay gently engaged during this downtime.

Quiet, Non-Screen Activities

The goal is to keep things simple, soothing, and low-energy. Here are some ideas:

• Audiobooks or podcasts at a low volume with a calming tone. Choose gentle stories or nature sounds rather than fast-paced or suspenseful content.
• Soft, relaxing music like classical, acoustic, or instrumental playlists. Avoid loud or upbeat tracks.
• Gentle crafts such as coloring, simple drawing, or painting with soft colors. Avoid detailed or high-focus projects.
• Large-piece puzzles or tactile puzzles that don’t require intense concentration.
• Building blocks or LEGO at a slow, relaxed pace, no complicated designs.
• Reading physical books in short sessions if tolerated. Opt for light, easy-to-follow stories.
• Storytelling or journaling encourage your child to tell you a story or write a few sentences about their day.
• Simple board games with minimal cognitive load, like Connect Four, Candy Land, or memory matching games.
• Play with sensory items like Play-Doh or kinetic sand for a calming tactile experience.
• Origami or paper folding simple shapes only.
• Gentle nature observation watch birds or clouds from a window or porch.

Rest & Recovery Tips

Recovery isn’t just about avoiding screens, it’s about creating a calm environment:

• Encourage short naps and quiet time in a dimly lit room. Darkness helps reduce overstimulation.
• Light walks outside (only if cleared by a doctor). Fresh air can boost mood without straining the brain.
• Breathing exercises or mindfulness activities teach your child simple deep breathing or guided relaxation.
• Hydration and nutrition offer water and light snacks to keep energy steady.
• Gradual return to normal activities start with short, easy tasks and slowly increase as symptoms improve.

What to Avoid

Certain activities can make symptoms worse or delay healing:

• Screens (phones, tablets, TV, gaming) these increase visual strain and cognitive load.
• Bright lights or loud environments keep lighting soft and avoid noisy spaces.
• High-intensity physical activity until cleared by a healthcare provider.
• Homework or mentally demanding tasks pause schoolwork until your doctor says it’s safe.
• Competitive or fast-paced games even non-screen ones can be too stimulating early on.

Bottom Line: Recovery from a concussion takes patience and care. By creating a calm environment and choosing low-stimulation activities, you can help your child heal safely while avoiding setbacks. Always follow your doctor’s guidance and monitor symptoms closely.