What is a happy distraction? Is it just another kids activity box?

I like to think of it as a thing that has the power to transport your mind to a different place when the real world feels a bit uncomfortable.

As the mother of a child with a chronic illness, the need to offer distractions has become just another part of our life. The medical team we are surrounded by go above and beyond to support our small person through through every procedure, protocol and appointment. Working with sick kids requires a special kind of magic that we have experienced first hand.

And it is this lived experience that was the inspiration for The Happy Distraction Company.

In a world where hospital gowns reign supreme and the scent of antiseptic fills the air, one brave patient has decided to embark on a heroic quest—right from their hospital bed!

Every fortnight we would pack a bag with a few random bits and pieces to keep us entertained for our day visit. The tablet (technology, not medication) was never forgotten and was the favoured item more often than not. As I looked around the ward, I noticed that everyone had a device and was either playing a game or watching YouTube. And whilst I am not anti-device, it was apparent that there wasn't much else to do and it was a quick, easy and transportable item for quick, easy and transportable entertainment.

But seeing as these were regular trips spanning several hours, I didn't want to 'just' have the electronics.

So, as I wore my parent/carer hat, I looked at this with my educator glasses on. What we needed was a kids activity box to make a happy distraction.

Technology is important to kids. Being engaged in the latest episode of your favourite show is a great distraction during procedures. It takes your mind away from what is happening and allows you to focus on events outside of the hospital. The Child Life Therapists have been awesome at supporting us through some difficult times, but once the cannula is in, or the port accessed, that initial trauma is over. Now it's about sitting for a few hours with the only interruptions being for observations, until you get discharged.

So, instead of thinking of an alternative to technology alone, we have decided to include videos as part of our distraction. Kids are going to bring their devices anyway, so why not add to their experience with supporting videos for the cool stuff in their box.

Space is limited. What if everything could be contained within a box? There would be no extra clean up and it's easy to pack away and move around. The actual Bouncebackability Bundle box has been designed to be the play/work space, nothing really needs to leave the box to be used! Plus, the box itself and the liner are easy distractions with their colouring and word puzzles.

A holistic experience. The Bouncebackability Bundle has the sensory, the brain challenge, the boredom busters, the education and technology covered. A little bit of everything to distract from the 'grown up' and clinical.

Bouncebackability Bundles are perfect for kids aged 5 to 11 and can be customised according to your child's interests and abilities. Head over to our shop to take a look.

Bouncebackability Bundle

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