Kids always seem to get sick when you least expect it. If you’ve already got a few essentials on hand for looking after a sick child, you’ll save yourself a late-night trip to the pharmacy and be able to keep them amused—and comfortable--throughout the day. Here’s what every mom needs in her sick-day supply kit:

A good thermometer. For toddlers and older kids, the oral and ear thermometers work fine, says Dr.Joseph Gigante, a pediatrician at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. “For an infant, a rectal temperature is best,” says Dr. Cheryl Houseman, medical director of the primary care centre at University City Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “So you might also want some petroleum jelly to take the rectal temperature.” For more information on what temperature range is considered a fever and tips for caring for a child with a fever, visit measuring a fever at Tylenol.com, Medline Plus or check a medical resource book.

Fever busters. You definitely need one medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring down a fever, says Dr. Gigante. “If the child is feeling achy, then these analgesic pain relieving medicines, such as Tylenol or Motrin will help with that too.” For more information and to find out which medication is suitable for your child, ask your doctor.

Cold symptom relievers. “Occasionally if kids have congestion or a runny nose, an antihistamine, might help dry these secretions out and may potentially bring the child a little symptomatic relief,” says Dr. Gigante. To find out what’s right for you, ask your doctor. A little chicken soup and TLC will probably make your child feel more comfortable too.

Re-hydrating drinks. Pedialyte will help replenish lost fluids and electrolytes in a baby with vomiting and diarrhea, says Dr. Houseman. “Most kids over two won’t drink it because it tastes salty. For older kids with vomiting or diarrhea, I recommend clear fluids or sports drinks, such as Gatorade, although they tend to be a little sugary.” Having a supply of twisty straws on hand will make it easier—and more fun—for your child to stay well hydrated.

Comfy blankets. “If your child has a fever, it’s not uncommon to have chills, so have blankets on hand,” says Dr. Gigante. “For older children don’t worry about them overheating; let the child dictate if they want a blanket.”

A good medical resource book. "The American Academy of Pediatrics has really good books that are up-to-date and are excellent sources," says Dr. Houseman. Check out Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (American Academy of Pediatrics); Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12 (AAP) and Caring for Your Teenager (AAP).

Pleasant distractions. Make sure you have a stash of coloring books, board and card games, which can be a welcome change from TV when your child is sick. “We love those Where's Waldo style books that combine a story with a few hidden characters you have to find on each page,” says Toronto mother of two, Trish Snyder. “We also have some workbooks that the kids always seem to love: printing, simple math, etc. A game of fish, checkers or Texas Hold 'Em always work too.” For Victoria Foote’s two young sons, flipping through family photo albums helps pass the time when they’re sick: “The pictures remind them of a fun experience they had and will often provoke a conversation beginning with, ‘Remember when...’ I think it's a pleasurable distraction.”