Fast & Easy Babysitting Activities
Preparing for an afternoon or evening of babysitting ahead of time allows the babysitter to come equipped with activities to keep the children occupied. Take into consideration the age of the children and plan for a few short projects, interspersed by some games, movie or playtime. Keep the activities simple for very young children and be prepared to help the child complete the craft or project.
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Cookie Decorating
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Spend a little bit of time in the kitchen when babysitting older children to bake a batch of sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies or brownies. When babysitting young children, bring a tray full of sugar cookies cut into different shapes. Bring along some store-bought tubes of icing or make some royal icing, add some food coloring and have the kids decorate the cookies. Or go a little bit further and decorate the cookies with candies, chocolate chips, sprinkles and chocolate-covered candies. Sit back and enjoy the cookies together.
Jewelry
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For the next babysitting session, consider making bracelets or necklaces. Jewelry making can be catered to the age of the child or group. For young children, bring along long lengths of string and large plastic or wooden beads for a necklace-making project. Have the child thread the beads onto the string and tie the ends together. To make the activity last a little bit longer, have them make a matching bracelet using the same materials. For older children, bring along several lengths of jewelry wire, inexpensive bead pendants, a container of seed beads and a few jewelry clasps. Have the child string the pendant onto the center of the wire, thread the seed beads onto either side of the wire and then attach the jewelry clasps at the ends.
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Makeovers
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Makeovers and beauty treatments can be catered to take as much or as little time as necessary. Plan some age-appropriate treatment ideas and get parent approval beforehand. Bring along a hairbrush and some decorative hair elastics or clips, nail polish, light cosmetics and hand and face moisturizers. Spend a little bit of time pampering the child and then, if time allows, let her become the treatment provider to style the babysitter's hair and to give a cosmetic makeover.
Sock Puppets
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Sock puppets are a relatively easy and quick activity for young children. Bring along a sock for each child and one extra so that the babysitter can participate in the project as well. Cut out some round pieces of felt to make the mouths of the puppets and bring some fabric glue and googly eyes. Fit the puppets onto each child's hand and help him glue on the mouth and the eyes. Decorate the sock puppet further with bows for the top of the puppet "head" or small swatches of fabric to make a dress.
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References
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