Social activities for children and teens

Throughout blood cancer treatment, allow and encourage your child to continue to play and to do any of the things they enjoy and can do. Bear in mind, though, that during treatment, the ways in which your child plays may change, or certain activities may need to be modified or avoided. 

Play 

Play is an important part of a child’s development. Children learn, explore, and process their emotions through play. Play can also be a source of exercise and a way for your child to socialize with other children.  

Active play as exercise  

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children age 6 and older have at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Active play is the best form of exercise. Active play may include jumping rope, riding a bicycle, swimming, dancing, playing at a playground and/or playing an organized sport. Your child does not have to get the 60 minutes at one time. Activity can be broken up throughout the day.  

For example, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 10 minutes walking to school, 20 minutes playing tag at recess, and 30 minutes at a martial arts class, would add up to 60 minutes for the day. 
 
The benefits of physical activity for children include: 
• Reduced risk of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes 
• Better growth, development and wellbeing 
• Stronger mental health and self-esteem 
• Improved focus at school 
• Learning teamwork and sportsmanship in organized sports for all ages, and reduced smoking, drinking and drug use among teens in team sports 
 
Playing with your children can also help you get your own recommended amount of physical activity. If your child has mobility difficulties, talk to your child’s pediatrician about appropriate exercises. You can also ask for a referral for a physical therapist. 

Talk to members of the healthcare team about what precautions to take during playtime. 

 Examples of the sorts of issues that can affect your child’s playtime include:  

• Fatigue or other side effects from treatment. This may mean your child doesn’t have as much energy for playtime as usual.
• A low platelet count that puts your child at an increased risk of bleeding. Activities that increase the risk of cuts and bruises may not be safe for your child.
• A low white blood cell count that puts your child at an increased risk of infection. Your child will need to avoid playdates with children who are sick.   

If your child is hospitalized for treatment, continue to offer opportunities for your child to play. Many children’s hospitals have a recreation or playroom with toys and activities for patients and their families. 

Keeping toys clean 

Cleaning toys can help reduce the risk of illness and infection. Clean toys:  

• After your child (or someone in your home) has been ill
• After a playdate with other children
• If toys come into contact with bodily fluids, such as spit or vomit
• If there is visible dirt or grime on toys  

Here are some suggestions for cleaning toys:  

• Plastic toys can be washed with warm water and soap. You can also wash plastic toys in the top rack of the dishwasher, or spray toys with a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar and wipe clean.
• For a more thorough cleaning, you can soak plastic toys in a mixture of one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water. Rinse the toys and allow them to air dry.
• You can put most stuffed animals and plush toys in the washing machine. Check the tags for any special care instructions first.
• Sterilize pacifiers before the first use and after your child or anyone in your home has been ill. To sterilize, place them in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Allow them to air dry and cool before giving them to your child. Day to day, washing with warm water and soap is sufficient.
• Be careful with electronic toys and toys with batteries. Wipe these toys clean, avoiding the batteries and electronic parts.
• Do not soak wood toys in water; water can cause warping. Wipe wood toys clean. 

Favorite toys that your child plays with every day may need to be cleaned often. Bath toys should be cleaned once a week to prevent mold. Other toys do not need to be cleaned as frequently.