Having fun activities and games while babysitting will help you engage your children and make them look forward to the next time you see them. It’s easy to brainstorm ideas to find a plan that fits your children’s interests, ages, and attention spans. Things to do while babysitting to try, as well as other ideas you can use to keep kids excited and engaged.
17 things to do while babysitting
According to Home Health Care Services, doing activities with the child develops his personality. Here are some fun things to do while babysitting:
1. Book Making
Bookmaking is a fun thing to do while babysitting and a great way to encourage kids to think creatively and keep them entertained for a long time. For kids who can’t write yet, help them draw pictures and write words. Fold three or four sheets of printer paper in half to make book pages. Staple them together or punch holes in the folds of paper and bind them together.
2. Draw a picture with chalk on the sidewalk
If the weather is nice outside, draw something with chalk on the sidewalk outside. The walkway or sidewalk can be used as a canvas. Draw a hopscotch game for the kids to complete or come up with a unique design using different colors.
3. Make a dance Challenge
Older kids love to dance to a song of their choice. Get them involved in the creative process and let them come up with their own ideas too. When their parents get home, have them dance.
4. Go on a Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts are a great activity to do while babysitting to keep kids busy and entertained. Treasure hunts can be done at home or around the neighborhood. Make the treasure hunt fun for kids by creating clues and lists of items needed for the treasure hunt.
5. Bake treats
Baking treats is a fun thing to do while babysitting to keep kids entertained and make something delicious. Choose a simple recipe, such as chocolate chip cookies, and have them help weigh out the ingredients and crack in the eggs. That way, they can enjoy the finished product together.
6. Play a game in the park
If there are older children or several children, this can be a fun game to play in the playground. Before suggesting a game, assess whether the children can play it safely. To play, one person becomes “it.” They should stay on the playground equipment with their eyes closed. When they are on the ground, they can keep their eyes open.
7. Make a gift This is a fun idea
Help them make gifts or cards for their siblings, parents, or friends. Encourage them to draw pictures, add special effects with glue, or cut out fun shapes from paper. If you have extras, you can use them to make cards.
8. Make new games
Let the children unleash their creativity by making up their own games. Use objects that are close by. For example, if you have a trampoline, place a ball in the middle so that the ball does not roll back toward you. Ask the children to think about the consequences if they lose the game.
9. Play Games
Children often have their own interests and ideas, so it’s important to listen carefully to each child individually when babysitting them. Some children may not like crafts or board games. Encourage children to play games they enjoy and ask if you can join in. Follow their instructions and have fun learning about what they enjoy. You can role-play family, or school, or pretend to be a character from your child’s favorite TV show or story.
10. Build forts
To build a fort, gather items from around the house, such as blankets or couch cushions. Place blankets over furniture and objects and create a cave or maze for your child to crawl into. Inside the fort, they can do other activities like reading books or doing art.
11. Enjoy watching movies
Many parents prefer not to watch TV with their babysitters. Watching movies can be especially fun. Even more so if you watch a lot and don’t spend too much time in front of the screen together. Pack chocolate chip popcorn, hot cocoa, and a cozy blanket for the perfect movie-watching experience.
12. Playing board games
Board games are fun things to do while babysitting. Look at the age range of the board games and make sure they aren’t too complicated for the child you’re looking at. They may be able to suggest games they’d like to play.
13 . Playing children’s favorite games
As with imaginative play, engaging children in their favorite activities can help them feel special and involved. This includes playing with building blocks, playing cards, pretending, drawing, and so on. Try to tailor the activities to the needs and desires of the child you’re watching. If you’re watching more than one child, have them take turns choosing which activity to do.
14. Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is a classic game and among the things to do while babysitting. Before starting the game, set boundaries, such as staying indoors and keeping the parents’ bedrooms out of the house. Set a number, count it, and wait for the child to hide before going looking for it. Sometimes it’s more fun for young children to act out so that they won’t be spotted right away, even if it’s obvious where they’re hiding.
15. Play Simon Says
Simon Says is a game where you say “Simon Says” and then give instructions. If one player makes a move without saying “Simon Says,” they lose the game. Take turns giving instructions and have the child follow them.
16 . Complete Puzzles
Puzzles can also be fun things to do while babysitting. Again, double-check the recommended age for the puzzle and make sure it’s not too complicated. Help them organize and find the pieces.
17. Go for a Walk
Getting outside is a great thing to do while babysitting. Before heading out, make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and is familiar with the area. If your parents are okay with it, you can take a drive to a nearby trail or park. Explore the area, look for animals and plants, and collect specimens
Also Read: difference between babysitting and childcare
things to do while babysitting
Baby care at home provides protection and security for your child, so here are some things to do while babysitting;
Animal Games
Babies at this age are learning letters and numbers, so reinforce this by working on the names of animals in the alphabet. Start with A and work up to Z. For example, the letter X can be tricky. You can also make sounds to make them laugh.
Puzzles
Puzzles are fun things to do while babysitting and are one of the most enjoyable games for babies. When babysitting, provide lots of toys that babies already have and love. Babies will jump at the chance to do this with you. Alternatively, you can take some with you. New toys and activities can excite babies.
5 more fun babysitting ideas
According to Home Health Care experts, babysitting requires a sense of humor and activities with the child, so here are some things to do while babysitting:
1. Fashion Show
Choose a theme and let the kids choose the outfits. Then it’s time to shine! Dress up as your best model and walk down the runway.
2. Camping indoors
Grab your “camping gear” and make a tent out of furniture, sheets, and blankets. This way you can have a picnic in the living room, for example. The kids will love it and use their imaginations!
3. Have a self-portrait drawing competition
To make drawing even more exciting, you could organize a competition where everyone draws a self-portrait. Depending on how talented everyone is at drawing (or not), this can be a really interesting competition!
4 .Play with toys
It may seem obvious, but are your children and caregivers obsessed with building blocks or Barbie dolls? Play with these toys together.
5. Draw in nature
Go outside with your child’s caregiver, find a beautiful place together, and draw, paint, or sketch a landscape together!
Also Read: how often should you swaddle a newborn?
What do you do during babysitting?
If you work as a babysitter, here are some things to do while babysitting;
- Provide appropriate childcare and work to meet their daily needs.
- Organize and implement recreational and educational activities that enhance children’s social and mental development.
- Listen to children’s needs and interests and meet them effectively.
- Monitor children during play and activities and intervene when necessary to ensure their safety.
- Guide children in developing their social, language, and motor skills.
- Provide healthy snacks that are appropriate for children’s needs according to parents’ desires.
- Work on establishing a regular schedule that includes time for play, rest, and educational activities.
Making Babysitting at Home Fun, Safe, and Stress-Free with Lana Life Care
With Lana Life Care for home nursing, you can easily find the best babysitter in your area. As we provide professional babysitting services care for children of all ages, from infants to school-age children, and can provide services tailored to specific age groups or children with special needs. Based on the agreement with the parents, our babysitting service will support your child’s development and help you find some free time for yourself;
- Assisting and supervising children in the workplace
- Preparing infant meals
- Preparing a variety of snacks for children
- Assisting with education
- Preparing the child
- Helping with homework
- Engaging in games, crafts, comics, outings, and exercise
- Raising disciplined children using techniques requested by parents
- Supporting children in their extracurricular activities
- Ensuring that children are always moving and active
- Monitoring children’s activities during meals and breaks, and alerting them if anything negative happens
- Educating children about social skills and personal hygiene.
Also Read: How to properly swaddle a newborn?
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lana Life Care provides distinguished services in caring for and protecting your child, so in this guide we have prepared for you a list of things to do while babysitting based on our extensive experience in the field of caring for children at home and ways to deal with them.
FAQs
Is 13 too old for a babysitter?
Of course not, as childcare services for everyone under 18 years of age
How do you not be bored babysitting?
There are many activities that you can do with children to avoid boredom.