Fun Babysitting Ideas

Fun babysitting ideas can be the babysitter's best friend. They help prevent boredom for the kids and prevent stress for you by helping you feel more prepared.

Interactive games and songs also help the kids feel like you like babysitting and show that you are in charge. After you've ensured that you've got the safety under control and have cleared activities with the parents, it's time for the fun. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Basic ideas: the fun babysitting idea kit
One way to make sure that you are always prepared is to make your own fun babysitting idea kit or bag. This is a bag that you stock to take with you on all your jobs. There may be interchangable items depending on the ages of the children you will be watching, but many of the items can have multiple uses for all ages.

• Age appropriate games. Games can provide a structured play time option without needing much creativity from either you or the children. And children usually love them! Try to find games that are smaller in scale - such as a go-fish or old maid pack of cards - for easy transporting.
• Age appropriate toys. Consider including simple toys that can be adapted for a variety of ages. These include balls (which can be rolled with a toddler or kicked outside with a 6-year old), puppets, play cars and building blocks or Legos.
• Songs. Kids love to sing...sometimes the same songs over and over. These don't need to be new songs. In fact, the kid standards might be the best because you won't have to teach the words. London Bridge, Ring around the Rosie and the Wheels on the Bus are all great starters.
• Pom-pom balls. These can be used in educational games for all ages or to draw pictures or make mazes on the floor. Educational games can include putting like colors together, sorting by size, counting games and adding and subtracting. Using them for floor art is an more lively creative activity that doens't require much clean-up.
• Books. Consider pop-up books or other books that are interactive such as those with textures. These are more unusual so that kids will be more interested in them. If you are babysitting at night and will be putting the children to bed, consider special bedtime books as well.
• Craft items. In addition to the pom-pom balls mentioned above, consider some basic items that are very versatile. These include popsicle sticks, crayons, washable markers, colored paper and stickers (be sure to include ones for both boys and girls).

• Classic kid movies. Kids are likely to have their own video libraries, but it is more likely that these will be the newest movies. Look for classic or unusual movies that are not as likely to be at everyone's house. These may even be 30 minute videos instead of full-length movies that you can find at discount stores or garage sales.
• Snacks. Pre-packaged fruit snacks or cookies that appear out of your bag like magic are always big hits! Microwave popcorn to enjoy with movies can also be a good option.
• Scrapbooking supplies. These supplies are usually more creative than the basic craft supplies noted above. And that means that they can be more expensive. Look for clearance sales or leftovers from your own projects. Kids aren't picky about the new art supplies, so you don't need to have matched sets or page layouts. These supplies can include shaped holepunches, craft scissors with different cutting edges, stickers and stamps. This option is even better if there are family pictures that the kids can use, but that isn't a requirement.
• Homemade playing dough. It doesn't have to be homemade, but that option is cheaper. Plus it gives you options on coloring that you may not have with purchased Play-Doh. Add some cookie cutters and you'll be set!

• Do you have a special interest in fun songs that you learned at camp? Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts usually have a long list of funny songs that not everyone knows. And many of them have hand motions that make the song interactive.
• Do you know origami or calligraphy? These are unique skills that can entertain kids and leave them a special keepsake.
• Do you like to dance? Anything that gets kids moving is usually entertaining. Consider including a fun dance CD that can be used as entertainment or to help motivate everyone in cleaning up. Many recent kids' movies have soundtracks that are great for this.
• Are you a good storyteller? As much as kids like books, they also like fun stories - especially if they can be part of the action. Make up stories and take turns adding parts.
• Your IMAGINATION! Nothing can top the things that you can come up with based on what you know about the kids and what they like or enjoy.

Keep building your list and bag full of fun babysitting ideas as you go along. The best fun babysitting ideas come from experience!