No matter how many guests come and go, the sick child's world is still limited almost entirely to the family; therefore it is important to plan family activities that can be shared. Everyone else in the family will benefit through sharing pleasant pastimes and amusements, as well as work.

When the acute period of illness is over, remember that gaiety is important in the child's room. Cheerful conversation and ideas, as well as bright decorations, varied frequently, will do much for the morale of the child and of the entire family.

A Mother may say, "There's no time for play-I have too much work to be done, " but she will have time if she encourages, expects, and accepts help with household chores from all members of the family. For instance, Father can be responsible for special playtimes while Mother is cooking the evening meal. He can also see that toys are put away at bedtime. Younger brothers and sisters can be responsible for replenishing the child's water or for taking the patient's meals to him at a given time. The trick is to make even one in the family help in some useful way so that there will be time for the family to ' play" together.

There should be a scheduled hour for the family activities at least once a week, but preferably every day, when all meet in the child's room. Here are some "round-the-bed" pastimes and suggestions.

271. For family group parties, have enough chairs to seat everyone. For writing games, provide a lap board for each. (Perhaps the household has only one breadboard for such use. Heavy cardboard cut in convenient sizes will fill the bill. )

272. A good guessing game-act out in pantomime various programs or performers on TV or radio-but without leaving the chair! This will make it more difficult but also fairer because everyone must meet the same challenges as the child who cannot get about.

273. Why not have a song-fest the next time you gather together by your child's bed? Do include rounds. (There is such a variety of them from Three Blind Mice to intricate English canons). If this is a new activity, copies of the words will be a great help to have until favorite songs are memorized.

274. There is no need for a piano at these song-fests, but if someone has mastered a guitar or "uke, " these can make grand accompaniments. You may be able to assemble a simple family orchestra, using such humble instruments as a harmonica, ukulele, jew's-harp, to accompany the family soloist.

275. For a variation on group singing, try whistling. A whistling contest can be held, for which all participants can practice during the week. A few humorous prizes would be in order, awarded to the best whistlers in various categories-tune-carrying, trilling, birdcalls, taxi-summoning, and whistles to show appreciation. The prizes can be such things as little tin whistles, bits of cotton for the ears, or a tidily wrapped bit of bird seed.

276. Surprise! Surprise! Each person gets a bag filled with odds and ends of materials-ribbon, flowers, etc., together with a discarded felt hat or paper bag, large enough to fit on the head. These odds and ends, together with a few pins, (straight or safety) are all you need for a spring bonnet competition and fashion show. It may not be advisable to wear the hats out of the house, but there'll be many a laugh. Be sure to have a mirror at hand.

277. Another paper bag "game" to try at a bedside get-together: each member of the family puts into a paper bag his own personal selection of everyday objects. For instance, Mother could put into her bag an egg beater, a bar of soap, a cookie cutter and a sink stopper; Father, his key ring, a pipe cleaner or package of cigarettes, a paper clip and a tiny screw driver; Sister, her nail file, nail polish bottle, a powder puff, and her hair barrette. (Be sure the child in bed has a good choice of objects around him, from which to make his own selection. Suggest such possibilities as a pencil, checkers, a chessman, or a piece of modeling clay. ) Everyone assembles around the room with his own closed bag of objects. Each person takes a turn at being blindfolded and is handed the bag from the person on the left to open and "see what's in it. " Keep time to find who was the speediest in recognizing the objects.