Waiting Room Drawing: Calm Kids at Appointments
Waiting rooms can be stressful for kids. A quick drawing kit keeps them calm and busy. Here are drawing games for doctor, dentist and clinic visits.
A small drawing kit can make waiting rooms much easier. Drawing gives anxious kids something calm to focus on, keeps restless kids busy and makes the wait feel shorter. Quick, cute subjects like baby robots work well because each drawing can be finished before your name is called.
Doctor and dentist visits can make kids nervous, and waiting rooms make it worse. Drawing gives their hands and minds something to do.
Pack a waiting room kit
- A small drawing book
- Two pencils
- A small notebook
- A few colored pencils
Short drawings for short waits
Waits are unpredictable, so choose drawings that can be finished quickly. How to Draw: Baby Robots features cute robots built in six easy steps, short enough to finish in a few minutes. If your name is called mid-drawing, it is easy to finish later.
Waiting room drawing games
- Draw the doctor. A cartoon version of their doctor or dentist.
- Brave robot. Draw a robot who is brave at the doctor.
- I spy drawing. Draw something in the waiting room; others guess.
- Feel-better faces. Draw how you will feel after the appointment.
Calming nervous kids
- Draw something comforting, like a favorite pet.
- Breathe slowly while drawing.
- Talk about the drawing instead of the appointment.
After the appointment
Ask your child to draw what happened. It helps them process the experience, especially if it was hard. For more calm ideas, see can drawing calm an anxious child?.
Questions parents ask
How do I keep my child calm at the doctor's office?
Bring a small drawing kit, choose quick and comforting subjects and talk about the drawing instead of the appointment.
What should be in a waiting room activity kit?
A small drawing book, a couple of pencils, a few colored pencils and a small notebook.
Can drawing help kids with medical anxiety?
Drawing can help children focus and stay calm. For significant anxiety, talk to your child's doctor about additional support.
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