How to Entertain a Kid You're Babysitting

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Here's how to babysit a child and keep the stimuli coming.

Step 1: Prepare fun crafts
Prepare age-appropriate crafts that concentrate the child’s attention. Using drawing and construction paper, crayons, glue sticks, glitter, cotton balls, and child-safe scissors, work with children make pictures that tell stories.

Tip
Let the child voice what they want to play so they are invested in the fun. Go along, letting them use their imagination.

Step 2: Take walks
Take walks and look for sticks, flowers, and dandelions, which can be included in art projects or made into bouquets for parents.

Step 3: Stage time-outs
Stage time-outs by playing a meditation-imagination game, sitting with eyes closed and taking the child on a great imaginary exploration of a magical place.

Tip
If you’re comfortable telling stories, let them embellish and add characters to take the story where they want.

Step 4: Organize a treasure hunt
Organize a treasure hunt around or outside the house, leaving clues on slips of paper in nearly hidden spots.

Step 5: Make forts
Make forts out of blankets draped over dining room chairs or other furniture. Pretend the floor is lava and randomly placed cushions are rocks.

Step 6: Play board games
Play board games that emphasize sportsmanship and cooperation more than winning. Any educational aspect is a plus.

Tip
Be encouraging and energetic.

Step 7: Make rubbings
Lay broad sheets of drawing paper against objects to make rubbings with crayons – tire tracks, manhole covers, or house numbers.

Step 8: Clean up together
Involve the child in cleaning up messes by inventing a song about how good it is to clean. Make a competition out of who will be first to get everything done.

Did You Know?
Nannies in New York City can make $800 to $1,000 a week.