Fun activities every babysitter should try

Babysitting is not about engaging in the same activity daily   like taking turns between Candy Land and Monopoly every time you babysit. Kids would feel happy if they are engaged in some fun activities that would stimulate their minds and keep them active rather than just keep them engaged. You should try  to engage in some of these fun activities to keep the kids stimulated.

Fun activity for toddlers:   

Dough keepsake:  

This easy to make project for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and even older kids forms a great gift for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day, Father’s Days and can also be hung as ornaments.

Mix together: 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour and ½ a cup of water making the consistency of play dough. Mix in a little more water if needed. Shape it into any shape you like- make a large one or a few smaller ones. You can even add holes with straw to facilitate hanging.  You can also carve the foot of the toddler/toddlers and write their names with a fork.

Bake the keepsake for 3 hours at about 200F or 100C- check often and bake till it is completely dry. Take out your baked keepsake and let it cool; then paint it well with foam brushes. Let it dry completely, then display it or wrap it up as a very special gift!

Activities for Preschoolers

Rainbow Bubble snakes:

This activity is preferably done outdoors especially in summer- children will love the fun and definitely be excited. Also known as a new and colorful way to blow bubbles, all you need for this activity is an empty water bottle from your recycling, duct tape, a sock that is missing its match, a dish soap and some food coloring.

First cut the bottom of a water bottle and slide a sock over the bottom of the bottle. You could secure the sock by using a colorful duct tape or a rubber band.

Next pour some dish soap and water into a shallow container and gently mix it. You could put some food coloring in the sock side and then dip the sock side of the bubble blower and then blow gently.  You and the kids could enjoy making bubble snakes all over!

Activity for Grade Scholars:

Bird feeder craft:

This would be an ideal activity if you have many birds flying around your house; an easy and fun craft project which needs affordable items like a toilet paper roll! You would need toilet paper rolls (6-8 inches long), sturdy sticks (2 for each roll), bird seeds, peanut butter, string or ribbon, a hole puncher.

First punch 2 holes on each side of the toilet paper roll; the holes should be evenly aligned to each other to facilitate tying a string for hanging. Next punch 4 holes that are evenly aligned on the opposite side of the roll of toilet paper to insert sticks that the birds can perch on. Gently wiggle and push in the sticks into opposite holes; be careful to not rip off the holes.

Ensure that the sticks cross each other and stick out enough for the birds to perch on. Next, holding the lower part of the feeder below the sticks spread a light layer of peanut butter on the upper part of the toilet paper roll and then cover in bird seed. Be careful not to cover your holes at the top with peanut butter.  

Lastly, cut string or ribbon of the desired length and tie through the 2 holes on top of the bird feeder and hang it. Be excited, admire and hang the homemade bird feeder craft!

These activities are sure to be fun and enjoyable for both the kids and the babysitter.