Play Your Way to Better Diabetes Management: How Toys, Books & Role-Playing Can Reduce Burnout
Managing Type 1 Diabetes in toddlers and young children can feel like an endless cycle of finger pricks, carb counting and insulin doses. For little ones (and their parents), this can be overwhelming- and sometimes exhausting. What if there was a way to turn diabetes care into something fun?
Play is a child’s natural way of learning and coping with challenges. By using toys, books and role-playing, parents can help make diabetes management less stressful and more engaging. Here’s how you can incorporate play into your child’s diabetes routine to reduce burnout and encourage a positive attitude toward their care.
1. Diabetes-Themed Toys: Meet the Mini Medics!
Children love to see themselves reflected in their toys, so diabetes themed dolls, teddies and play-sets can be a great way to normalise their condition.
Ideas for Play
Diabetic Dolls & Teddies: Brands like Build-A-Bear offer diabetes accessories, and you can even modify a favourite doll to “have diabetes” by adding a pretend insulin pump or CGM
Medical Play Kits: Let your child “check” their teddy’s blood sugar, administer pretend insulin, or even practice inserting a CGM on a doll
DIY Diabetes Play Set: Create a homemade diabetes kit with an empty glucose meter case, cotton swabs for pretend finger pricks and a small notebook for “recording” blood sugar readings
Why It Works: Playing doctor with their favourite toys gives children a sense of control and helps them process their own diabetes care in a safe and familiar way
2. Storytime with a Side of Support
Books are a fantastic way to introduce diabetes concepts in a relatable and comforting way. Stories with diabetic characters help children feel less alone and provide gentle reassurance that they can handle their condition.
Top Books for Little Readers:
“Rufus Comes Home” (JDRF)- A sweet story about Rufus, a teddy bear with Type 1 diabetes, who helps children understand their condition.
“Even Superheroes Get Diabetes” by Sue Ganz-Schmitt- A fun and empowering book for children who might feel different because of diabetes.
“My Sister Has Diabetes” by Grace Griffin- A great choice if you want to help siblings understand and support their diabetic brother or sister
Why It Works: Stories help children process emotions, understand their condition in a non-scary way and see positive role models who thrive with T1D.
3. Role-Playing: Turn Diabetes Care into a Game
Young children learn best through imitation and role-playing. If diabetes care feels like a chore, turning it into a game can make a world of difference.
Fun Role-Playing Ideas:
“Super Sugar Detective”- Pretend your child is a detective solving the mystery of their blood sugar. Ask them to “investigate” what might be causing a high or low reading.
“Diabetes Nurse”- Let your child play the role of a diabetes nurse and “take care” of you or their toys. This can help them feel more in control of their own care.
“Carb Counting Cafe”- Set up a pretend cafe where your child serves “meals” and helps count the pretend carbs in each dish. This helps build early food awareness in a fun way.
Why It Works: Role-playing helps children make sense of their diabetes in a playful, non-threatening way while also reinforcing key self-care skills.
4. Make Routine Tasks Fun with Stickers & Rewards
Let’s face it- blood sugar checks and injections aren’t the most exciting part of a child’s day. But adding a playful element can make them feel like small victories rather than stressful moments.
Ways to Add Fun to Daily Diabetes Care:
Sticker Charts: Reward your child with a sticker each time they complete a diabetes task like checking their blood sugar or sitting still for an injection.
Special “Diabetes Hero” Capes or Badges: Let your child wear a fun cape or badge when they’ve done a great job with their care.
Silly Songs or Dance Routines: Sing a short song or do a little dance after checking blood sugar to make it a more positive experience.
Why It Works: Turning routine diabetes care into a rewarding experience helps children feel a sense of achievement rather than frustration.
Final Thoughts: Play Today, Cope Better Tomorrow
Managing T1D in young children is no small task, but bringing fun into their care can make a big difference. Whether it’s through diabetes-friendly toys, engaging books, creative role-playing or playful rewards, turning diabetes management into a game can help reduce burnout for both children and parents.
By using play as a tool, you’re not only making diabetes care easier in the moment- you’re also helping your child develop a positive and empowered attitude toward their health for years to come.