Babysitters must keep children safe and entertained until bedtime or until the parents get home. After handling their physical necessities, it is often a challenge to think of fun ways to keep kids interested and busy. However, planning activities allows you to keep an eye on the kids, provides opportunities for physical exercise so they are ready for nap time and cuts down on squabbling.
I Spy...
This familiar game requires one person at a time to describe an object in the room or immediate environment. For instance, the first player says, "I spy something round." The other players ask for hints, "Is it green?" or "Is it edible?" until someone is able to guess correctly. The winner is the next to say, "I spy..."
Build Something
All children love to build a castle, fort or tent. Gather boxes, blankets, pillows, chairs and small tables. Use the furniture to build the structure, the bigger the better, and the blankets to cover the structure. Allow the children to be creative in adding household items to the structure. Make sure the structure is safe and sturdy before everyone enters. Sit inside the tent, and read scary books or reenact a story.
Hide-and-Seek
Another familiar game that is good for all ages. Before starting, explain the safety rules and which places are off-limits for hiding. Ask the children to agree on a safe word, and instruct them to come out immediately if you say that word. There are several ways to play hide-and-seek: All the children hide, and you look for them; one person hides, and everyone else looks for them; or teams take turns looking for each other. This also is a good game when sitting with just one child.
Work of Art
Gather materials together to create a work of art for the parents. You will need poster board or paper and crayons, paint or colored pencils. Have the children work together to create a picture, complete with a nice frame drawn in around the edges. As part of a group project, older children can trace or outline objects, and younger children can color in the outlines. You might choose to have each child do an individual piece of art and attach all of the work to the poster board.
Scary Story Time
Bring age-appropriate scary story books for older children about ghosts, haunted castles and mysteries. Allow the children to take turns reading books, and encourage them to read with expression and sound effects and to act out the story. Tell them to see who can tell the scariest story. Turn off the lights and set the mood, but be careful with younger children and check with parents first.
Scavenger Hunt
You can play scavenger hunt inside, outside or both at one time. Give the children a list of items that are easy to find and present in any yard or home: leaf, twig, rock, paper, pencil or crayon. Give the children a small plastic container or bag to hold their items. First one back with all of the items wins.
Bake Something Good
Ask parents for permission to bake a cake or cookies. Prepare for a mess, but allow the children to enjoy the experience and fully participate. Bake cookies using cookie cutters for fun shapes. Make a cake and have fun decorating. Make the cake or cookies from scratch so children can add ingredients, stir and place and remove the cookies. Have the item after lunch or dinner, and save some for the parents.
Physical Exercise Time
Time outdoors is a great way for children to burn off energy, tire themselves out and get ready for nap time. Walk to the neighborhood playground or park, and allow the children about an hour of free time to play, run, climb, swing and slide. If a park is not available, use the back yard, or go for a long walk. Indoor jumping jacks and dancing can burn up energy on a rainy day.
Talent Show
This is a great activity for mixed age groups. Every child has a talent and is willing to share it with others. Set up a stage area and use sheets or blankets for the curtains. You serve as the announcer and introduce each child with a flourish. Help younger children identify their talent and choose something to do, such as a simple poem or song. Encourage the audience to clap loudly and support each performer.
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