Indoor Activities to Help Keep Preschoolers with Eczema Engaged This Winter

When the weather and other factors keep you and your family inside, it can be stressful to find activities to keep your preschooler entertained. This becomes even more complicated when you add eczema to the mix.

To help provide some playtime activities that are both engaging and safe for kids with eczema and sensitive skin, the National Eczema Association partnered with Nickelodeon and Understand AD, to create an original digital storybook featuring characters from the “Blue’s Clues & You!” series called Blue and Frida Felt Become Ecz-tra Special Friends. In the book, Blue’s new friend Frida has eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) which can make her skin itchy and irritated. But with some support from her family and friends, Frida is empowered to speak up for herself and make choices that don’t let eczema get in her way.

Inspired by how Frida and her parents navigate eczema triggers during playtime, we pulled together tips and advice to help parents and caregivers keep kids engaged with fun indoor activities in an eczema-friendly environment.

Setting up playdates

One of the biggest eczema misconceptions is that it’s contagious — which it is not. When setting up a playdate for your child, you may want to make other parents aware if your child has a visible flare or is prone to flaring. You can let them know what’s normal for your child or indicate anything to look out for, like scratching or “zoning out.” This will help assure them that your child can still play and prepare them to help your child if you’re not there.

Specify common toys that can trigger eczema flares

Here are some common items you might want to avoid or make note of for other parents when planning a playdate for your child:

1. Tablets, video game controllers and costume jewelry

Unfortunately, there are often hidden metals in toys that can cause issues for kids with eczema. “Electronic devices, such as smart watches, tablet devices, video game controllers and cell phones may include metals that are hidden contact allergens,” said Dr. Rupam Brar, a dermatologist and pediatric allergy specialist at NYU Langone Health and assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Metals, such as nickel, may also be found in toy cars and costume jewelry.”

2. School glue

“Due to some of its ingredients, school glue is notorious for causing flares,” said Dr. Brar. “Specifically, school glue contains a contact allergen known as methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI or Kathon CG),” she explained. “MCI/MI can also be found in craft supplies.”

Prepare your child for other kids to be curious about their eczema

Other kids may be curious about your child’s eczema. Even at a young age, you can help prepare your child for these questions by being open with them about their eczema and empowering them with age-appropriate language so they can know how to respond and advocate for themselves.

Pack toys or tools to help in the event of a flare 

It can be helpful to share eczema intervention strategies if another parent is hosting the playdate. This may include: 

• Clean washcloths to wet with cool water
• Moisturizer
• An activity to keep your child’s hands busy if they start scratching

Eczema-friendly activities that don’t cut out the fun

So what can you do to keep your child engaged during indoor playtime? Just like how Frida Felt and her friends opt to make friendship bracelets rather than play out in the heat where her eczema is more likely to flare, here are some recommended playtime ideas for kids with sensitive skin that you can do together or with friends:

• Make friendship bracelets
• Read books
• Play board games
• Work on puzzles
• Play musical instruments
• Embark on a treasure hunt
• Make sock puppets (avoid wool fibers)
• Have a dance party
• Play hide and seek
• Create a sensory bin with water and ocean-themed toys
• Play kitchen
• Color with invisible ink/mess-free markers and coloring books

Cooling toys and activities are also a great option that can double as a way to help prevent or soothe itch. Dr. Brar suggested parents consider cooling toys or activities, such as making an ice pack, or an ice excavation activity to help avoid or soothe itch. “You can freeze small toys in Tupperware, and kids can use play hammers and toothbrushes to get toys out.”

Check out Blue and Frida’s Story

Just as Frida proved in Blue and Frida Felt Become Ecz-tra Special Friends, even young children can understand the importance of managing their eczema while enjoying playtime. To learn more, visit UnderstandAD.com, developed in partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron.