Being a babysitter is more than just keeping kids safe; it’s about creating a positive and engaging experience for them while their parents are away. A bored child can lead to a long night for everyone, so having a bag of tricks filled with fun activities is essential. Whether you’re a seasoned sitter or just landed your first babysitting job, Jovie has lots of ideas to keep kids entertained and make your babysitting gig a breeze.
Keep Arts and Crafts In Your Babysitter Bag
Kids are bursting with creativity, and arts and crafts are the perfect way to channel that imagination! You don’t need fancy supplies to spark their creativity—construction paper, scissors, markers, and glue can go a long way. Kids can create their own masterpieces or even craft personalized storybooks. Dive into fun textures with pipe cleaners, felt, and pom poms, or keep things simple with printable coloring pages. Check around the house—families often have extra supplies, and you’d be surprised by what you can find in recycling bins! A cardboard box can easily become a castle or a spaceship with just a sprinkle of imagination.
Rainy Babysitting Day? Try Indoor Games and Activities
Rainy weather doesn’t have to put a damper on fun! Indoor activities can be just as exciting. Ask the kids about their favorite board or card games, or stick to the classics like hide-and-seek, freeze dance, Pictionary, or charades. Feel free to get creative and come up with your own games—how about a kid-friendly “Olympics” with fun physical challenges like jumping jacks or tossing a ball into a basket? You can even create medals using construction paper. These activities are a fantastic way to get kids moving and laughing.
Take Babysitting Outside with Outdoor Activities
If the weather is nice, lace up your shoes and head outside for some fresh air! The classics like tag, scavenger hunts, and chalk art can provide hours of entertainment. Utilize any available sports equipment like basketball hoops or soccer nets, and if it’s warm enough, cool off with some water games with the sprinkler or water balloons. You can also turn a simple walk around the neighborhood into an adventure by challenging kids to spot as many blue objects as they can or notice different animal sounds along the way. These challenges help reinforce learning in a fun context while allowing the kids to explore and engage with their environment.
Bring a Book Your Kids Will Love
Never underestimate the power of a good story! Reading is essential for kids of all ages. Ask the parents if their child has a favorite book or topic, and find age-appropriate selections from your local library. To make story time even more exciting, bring the characters to life by acting out the plot—use funny voices, create makeshift costumes, and immerse yourselves in the adventure. You can even use some of the craft items you made earlier as props.
Be the Cool Babysitter Who Does Science Experiments
Why not blend crafts with science? Beyond the classic homemade volcano, you can whip up some fun science experiments–try making lava lamps, rock candy, or invisible ink. These activities promote learning in a fun way and can keep kids engaged for hours. Since some experiments may require special ingredients, don’t forget to check with the parents about what’s available at home.
Get Kids Excited with a Baking Session
Another great way to combine creativity and learning is baking! Choose simple recipes where kids can help with measuring, mixing, and rolling. Plus, you can enjoy a tasty treat as a result! You don’t even have to turn on the oven with no-bake recipes. Just ensure you respect any food allergies or dietary restrictions in the household.
Go On a Field Trip with Your Kids
If you’re comfortable taking the kids out, consider planning a field trip. There are many indoor options, like visiting a museum or library. When the weather’s nice, a trip to the zoo or local park can be super fun, and don’t forget about summer splashes at the community pool (just be sure to discuss swimming abilities with the parents first). In the winter, sledding adventures can create special memories!
Engaging Tech Time as a Babysitter
While kids and technology can be a tricky mix, it’s possible to use tech in fun and educational ways while babysitting. Educational apps and audiobooks can be great tools for learning without sacrificing fun, while family-friendly movies can provide a nice downtime activity. Ask parents if they have specific rules or preferences around screen time so you can ensure you’re not deviating from the kids’ typical routine. Of course, any content kids engage with should be appropriate, so supervise and engage in any technology time.
Additional Tips for Engaging Activities
Remember to keep games age-appropriate for children. Knowing basic developmental stages during childhood is helpful in this regard. Are the kids you’re sitting developing motor skills? Try freeze dance! Are they learning their alphabet? Create a word game!
Coming prepared with ideas is always helpful, but don’t hesitate to follow the kids’ lead. If they have a favorite game or activity they are excited to share with you, dive in! When you meet kids where they are, you’ll build rapport with them quickly, and they’ll be excited for you to come back.
Turn Your Babysitting Skills into a Rewarding Job with Jovie
You have lots of ideas about how to engage children while babysitting… Now, you just need to find your dream babysitting job. Jovie can help with that! Jovie personally matches babysitters with families, so all you have to worry about is having fun with the kiddos. Grow your babysitting skills with Jovie today!
