Ideas of things to do with broken arm | Mumsnet

I thought I would post this here, as I am shocked as to how difficult it is to find things to do with an abliet temporarily disabled child.

My ds has broken his wrist, and is out of action for the next few weeks potentially months due to the complicated nature.

This week at the end he's going to hospital for an operation, so at the moment has to be very careful with it, but he's very bored bless him.

I can't think of things to do when he has to be so careful, we are a very active family and our lives revolve around the beach, playgrounds, sports (swimming/golf) and theme parks. I've suggested zoo and aquarium and he didn't like the idea of just looking at animals.

So can you help me think outside of the box, what other things are there to do? BTW he's 5.

StarOfValkyrie · 26/06/2010 12:02

Well, my children don't have any physical disabilities but we don't do any of those things you mention are normal for you. I don't think a broken wrist really is stopping you from doing much if I'm honest.

You can still go to the beach and parks surely, and the idea of looking at animals isn't the same as looking at animals, he might surprise you, especially if you make an effort to make it interesting, talking about where they come from, what they eat, how they move etc.

TheArsenicCupCake · 26/06/2010 12:56

Seriously jus take him out.. If he needs to g extra careful pop it in a sling to remind him not to use it.. And have a no running rule!

Beach, parks, nature treasure hunts, picnics with one handed frisbee even.
Ds2 isn't phsyically disabled .. However I have done the broken bone thing with both my boys and grew up with a psyically disabled sister.. Just adapt what you normally do for ability and safety!

TheArsenicCupCake · 26/06/2010 13:01

Tell you what .. You could go geocaching.. Have a look at geocaching.com
it's an easy going outdoor treasure hunt thing .. The site has the coordinates and rules .. Bound to be a few near you.

rainbowfizz · 26/06/2010 14:18

Thank you - I think maybe it's just me that's having to think it's okay for him to do stuff. Although I let him down the slide in the garden, and when my dh mentioned this in his office all of his colleagues were horrifed that I allowed him.

I was thinking not beach because of sand getting down into the cast and then becoming uncomfortable.

Going to check out the geocaching.

BigWeeHag · 26/06/2010 22:11

When DS1 was in plaster, we went to the Natural History and dug in sand for dinosaur bones. There was sand coming out for actual days.

TBH, I think you and he will be fine, just take it as it comes, do what you do normally. He shouldn't be in pain after a day or so (DS1 fractured femur, was in traction for a month but only on calpol for a day! Had it been me, there would have been druuuuuuuuuuuuugs) and they will replace the cast if he wrecks it.

I had a kid who kept coming for piano lessons with an arm in plaster, that called for creativity1 LOL.

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lou031205 · 26/06/2010 22:19

Honestly, I am sure in a few days he will be back to usual activities - plaster casts are hard, children are flexible.

StarOfValkyrie · 26/06/2010 23:04

I thought I was reasonably intelligent until I looked up geocaching. I can't make head nor tail about it, although it looks exciting.

BohoMonkey · 27/07/2016 00:11

Hi
Firstly I hope your child is now on the mend, and the second operation was a success, with all damage fixed. Also that the remaining recovery is going well.
I have just googled "things to do with a broken arm", which led me to your post. My son (14) broke his wrist badly a couple of evenings ago, he was operated on that night and will return for pin removal in several weeks. followed by more time in a cast, and eventually physiotherapy.
So like you I am now in a position of finding safe and exciting suggestions for him to do. We are also an active family and his favourite hobby is mountain biking, which is now out of the question. Active family are usually 'hands on' family's and use to spending time together. So one member experiencing a difference, effects all.
Maybe it's not until you have experienced the situation we are in (and hopefully most mums will never have to), that one really understand how debilitating and frustrating it can be. Serious breaks, can not be treated in a blazay way, and as inconvenient as it pay be, life does need to change.... just for a while.
My thoughts (so far) are that we will find things to do which exercise the brain, rather than the body. As another message said, museums are great. I am looking for exhibitions and events, in areas which interest him.
Obviously my son is older, and attention span's are different, however I think the same principal will apply? I have also got a map out of the three county's next to us and drawn out a road trip with him, marking of sights he wanted to see.
I'll post any successful websites I find here, for any other parents in the same position.
Good Luck and I hope all is back to normal soon!
Best Wishes

enterthedragon · 27/07/2016 08:44

Bohomonkey this thread is 6 years old, it would be wise to check the date of the original post before adding to it.

BohoMonkey · 27/07/2016 09:27

What can I say first time user and post, not up to speed on everything. My sentiments are in the right place though. You never know who else might Google, find, read and benifit from this info, at any time, as I did.

enterthedragon · 27/07/2016 15:20

Yes of course your sentiments are in the right place and yes someone else might find the info helpful, just wanted to let you know that you reactivated an old thread, sometimes old threads may be a bit sensitive and things may have moved on in unexpected ways, hence the advice to check dates before posting.

Anyway I wish your son well and I hope you find plenty of things to occupy him during his recovery, are you down south or up north?

Claret1808 · 11/03/2017 09:05

Bohomonkey I'm so glad I found your comments on this thread- my son is in exactly the same position yours was last year and i'm struggling for ideas to keep him occupied (and off his phone!) Hope your boy is fully recovered now, and I will use some of your very suggestions to get through the next couple of months:)

kathxdenham · 27/07/2017 00:57

How patronising from entertheDragon ! I am pleased I found this thread. Ooops a whole year after you posted it! Thanks @bohomonkey