Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Entertaining toddlers
• Method 2 of 4: Entertaining preschoolers
• Method 3 of 4: Entertain primary school children
• Method 4 of 4: Entertain older children
• Tips

Keeping kids entertained when you look after them isn't always easy. Fortunately, in addition to playing, crafting, drawing and playing outside, there are plenty of activities you can do to keep the kids you babysitting entertained and happy.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Entertaining toddlers

1. Play easy games if they seem calm. Stick to games with not too many rules. Toddlers will not be able to follow complicated games and can get frustrated quickly.
   • If you're babysitting a one-year-old, play games like peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek with their favorite stuffed animal.
   • When the toddler is almost two years old, make patterns with blocks or roll a ball back and forth on the floor.
   • If you are babysitting an older toddler, play games like command pinky and I see, I see what you don't see.
2. If the child has a lot of energy, have the child choose a toy to play with. Go to the child's room or wherever their toys are kept together and ask them to choose something to play with. If you are babysitting a younger toddler, you may need to choose a toy for him or her. Once the child has chosen a toy, you can sit on the floor together and play with the toy.
3. Read to the kids when it's time for a nap. They will fall asleep more quickly if you are around and read a short story. Choose a favorite children's book and hold it so that they can see the pictures. Point out the different characters in the pictures as you read to them. Eventually the toddler will fall asleep.
   • Ask their parents if they have any special bedtime habits that are best for you to maintain.
4. Never lose sight of the children. Regardless of the activity you've come up with, keep a constant eye on the toddler you're babysitting. Toddlers can easily get where they shouldn't be, or accidentally bump into something and get hurt. When taking something from another room or preparing an activity, make sure you always have the kids in sight.

Method 2 of 4: Entertaining preschoolers

1. Play games with letters and numbers when they are in the mood to learn. Preschoolers are just starting to learn how to recognize letters and numbers, so look for games that focus on those things. Make sure the games are easy to understand so that the toddler can follow.
   • Play together on a large ABC mat.
   • Play with letter tiles. Hold up a tile and let the child guess which letter it is. If the toddler gets it right, you give the tile.
   • Play memory with cards. Spread all cards face down on the table or the floor and have the toddler turn over two cards at a time. The goal is to flip over two cards with the same number.
2. Play with play clay if they want to make something. If there is no play clay in the house, ask the toddler to help you make clay yourself. Place the play clay on a tray or plate so that the toddler can make a mess of it. Help make things and show you how to roll the play clay with your hands.
   • Don't forget to clean when you're done.
   • Make sure the toddler you are babysitting does not try to eat the play clay!
3. Do easy craft projects when in a creative mood. Keep in mind that preschoolers can get things on their skin and in their mouths, so don't use products that are toxic or messy. Stick to jobs that are simple and easy to clean. Always supervise the children so that they don't make a big mess.
   • Let the toddler play with stickers. Give the child a piece of paper and help to peel off the stickers and stick them on the paper.
   • Provide paper and colored pencils for drawing. Crayons aren't as messy as markers or paint, so you don't have to worry about a major cleanup afterward.
   • Let the toddler draw shapes and you cut them out. Then let him or her place the shapes on another sheet of paper. You can tape or glue the shapes to the paper for them.
4. Get permission to take the children outside and do simple, accessible activities. Avoid strenuous or overly active games that could hurt the toddler. When you go outside, stick to activities that involve sitting or walking, as opposed to running or throwing things.
   • Go outside and draw with sidewalk chalk.
   • Make soapy water and let the toddler blow bubbles outside with you.
   • Stroll through the backyard and teach the toddler about the different plants and animals you will encounter.
5. Watch an educational TV program together if the toddler seems tired. If you can't find a TV show, search online and watch an episode of something on the computer. This is a great activity for later in the evening when the toddler you are babysitting is getting tired. Limit the viewing time to an hour so that you are not watching TV with the toddler all the time you babysit.
   • Get parental consent before showing anything on TV for your babysitting children.
   • Ask the toddler or their parents about favorite TV shows.

Method 3 of 4: Entertain primary school children

1. Play board games if they are looking for something easy to do. If you're looking for a board game to play, check the recommended age box. Play easier, educational board games with younger children. Play more challenging board games with older children.
   • Opt for board games like Candy Land, Snakes and Ladders, and Game of Goose, if you're playing with a younger child.
   • If you are babysitting an older elementary school student, you can play games like Monopoly, cards or Yahtzee.
2. Paint or draw with markers when the kids are in a creative mood. Put newspapers on the table and let them paint and draw. Use water-soluble, non-toxic children's paints and markers and markers, in case they get the paint on their clothes or on their skin. When they are done, they can write their name on their artwork and give it to their parents when they come home.
3. Ask for permission to do outdoor games and activities. Elementary school kids have a ton of energy, and playing outside can be a great way for them to get some exercise and have fun. Make sure they run out into the street and keep an eye on them all the time.
   • Throw with a ball. Take a softball or wiffle ball and you can start throwing back and forth. If they have a wiffle bat lying around somewhere, you can make bases and play baseball.
   • Play tag. You can try different variations such as "freeze".
   • Go "hunt for the treasure". Hide a few things in the backyard and let the kids try to find them all as quickly as possible.
4. Watch a movie (age appropriate) if they want to relax for a while. Ask the child you watch what movie they want to see and then watch it together. You can even make popcorn to make it feel like going to the cinema. Before watching the movie, check that it is appropriate for the child's age. Stick to films for six years and older and leave films for 12 years and older for a while.

Method 4 of 4: Entertain older children

1. Do more advanced arts and crafts if they want to make something. Before you arrive, come up with a challenging manual skill to start babysitting and take the necessary supplies with you. You can also keep a list of crafts on your computer or phone and ask the teen you're babysitting what they want to work on. Don't let projects be too easy, as older kids can find them boring.
   • For example, make a folioscope (flip book). Each choose a notepad or collection of sticky notes and draw a slightly different image in the lower right corner of each page. You can then scroll through the booklet to view the short animation that results.
   • Make jewelry. Bring a jewelry kit with thread, yarn, beads and other things they can use to make bracelets and necklaces.
   • Build molecules with cotton buds, cotton balls and glue.
2. Play challenging strategy games if they want to do something leisurely. Older children prefer to play games where they have to think (strategically). Avoid easy games that older children may find boring. You can even teach older children a completely new game, or bring a game that neither of you has ever played before.
   • Teach the child or children to play chess (if they are not already able to).
   • Play a strategic card game, such as Hearts or Rummy.
   • Play strategic board games such as Risk and Mastermind.
3. Prepare some food together if someone is hungry. If you are in charge of making dinner, ask older children to help you instead of ordering something. You can make pizza or breakfast for dinner. You can even have a mini cooking contest to see which dish is the best.
4. Go together to a park in the area if you have received parental permission to do so. Find a park with a playground. Bring a bag with water, snacks and a blanket so you can sit on the grass. Also bring some board games, cards, and a frisbee or ball to throw.
5. Give them some privacy if they need it. Older children may not want to be constantly entertained by a nanny. If they want to spend time in their room doing something on their own, let them. Watch some TV, read some, and come up with something else to do while the teen (s) are busy. However, make sure they don't break any of their parent's rules.
   • For example: if the parents have indicated that the family computer may not be used, make sure that this does not happen.
6. Don't be afraid to set boundaries. Older children can push your boundaries and resist when you try to enforce the rules. If the teen you are babysitting does something that is not allowed, then it is okay to tell him or she to stop. Don't yell or get angry, but be serious and don't give in if the child tries to ignore you.
   • For example: If the teen is gaming even though the parents have indicated that video games are not allowed, you could say something like, "Hey, your parents have told you not to play. If you turn them off for a while, we will do something else. Do you want to order food? "

Tips

• Always get parental consent before taking any children you babysit outside.
• Clean up any mess you make, such as when you've been tinkering with the kids you babysit or doing some other craft.
• Children who watch TV or play (a game) will not get bored easily, so things don't break and cause problems.