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Build your babysitting rep: 4 perf playtime ideas

The quickest way to building a stellar sitting rep is to keep those kids entertained…without plunking ‘em down in front of the tube. Toss movies and TV reruns to the side and try your hand at our favorite babysitting activities.

 

Puppet Babies (ages 2 to 4)

C’mon, who doesn’t love puppets? Kids go crazy for them. Snag some old socks from your drawer, then decorate them with fabric markers and googly eyes. Ask the kids to help you put on a show.

 

Chalk full o’ Fun (ages 4 to 6)

Hopscotch is a total classic. Bring along some colorful sidewalk chalk, then head outside with the kids to hold your own tourney. The parents will love seeing the artwork when they return, and it washes away with rain or a hose.

 

Do-It-Yourself (ages 4 to 6)

Art class is a fave for many kids, so why not bring the crafts to them? Do simple stuff like Popsicle-stick frames, or help them make cards that will knock the parents over with glee. Older kids always dig this and can help little ones with glue and scissors.

 

House Hunting (ages 7 to 10)

Need a way to keep been-there/done-that kids out of trouble and away from the TV trance? Organize a scavenger hunt! Have the kids sit in the living room, while you scope out unique stuff in different rooms. Divide the kids into teams, and have them search for items using cryptic clues. Give them a time limit (about a half-hour should do it) to find the goods—and whoever discovers the most wins a prize!

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by Patricia McNamara and L'Oreal Thompson | 2/1/2016
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