Tips for Entertaining Children while Babysitting

Ideas for Entertaining Infants

Babies have short attention spans and are frequently interested in a toy or
activity for only a FEW MINUTES at a time. Be patient with the baby. Don't
expect more from the baby than he is old enough to give.

Birth to Six Months:

ocking, cuddling, gentle handling
rightly colored objects, that make noise or are soft to touch
inging lullabies or playing a music box
etting baby look in a mirror
ursery games such as peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, this little piggy, so big!

Six Months to One Year...

ames where baby drops object and you pick it up (make sure object is not breakable)
ursery games as above
troller ride, if the weather is nice
alk around the house looking at and naming things
olling a ball to baby

Ideas for Entertaining Toddlers

Toddlers are excited about learning and doing things for themselves. They do not share and are too young to play well with other children. However, they frequently enjoy playing beside other children.

Toddlers enjoy:

building with blocks AND knocking them down
action toys such as a toy they push or pull - toy sweepers, lawn mowers, wagons, and carts
toys that let them play grown up such as telephones, dolls, tool sets, and dish sets
outdoor play with balls, sandbox, or just exploring
soft stuffed animals or puppets
children's songs and finger games such as "Itsy-Bitsy Spider", "Row, Row, Row your Boat," or making music themselves with toy instruments
simple games like "hide and seek." Be sure to hide so that part of you can be seen to allow the child to be successful at finding you. BEWARE OF SAFETY HAZARDS SUCH AS ELECTRICAL OUTLETS, STAIRS, AND STREETS.

Ideas for Entertaining School Age Children

Doing things with school age children can be a lot of fun for both of you. You may have forgotten how much fun some of these activities are:

Inside Activities:

board games such as Clue, Monopoly
word games such as Hang-Man and Scrabble
game show games such as Win, Lose, or Draw
reading

Outside Activities:

jumping rope
"Mother May I," Red light/Green light
playing catch or basketball, throwing Frisbees

Ideas for Entertaining Preschoolers

Preschoolers are able to do many things for themselves. However, they may require assistance with bedtime, eating, and toileting. Some ideas for entertaining preschoolers during quiet and active play are listed below.

Quiet Play...

easy board games such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders
imaginative games such as playing school, store or spaceships
listening to stories that you make up or read. DO NOT TELL SCARY STORIES WHEN YOU ARE BABYSITTING. Young children may become extremely frightened and have nightmares or trouble going to bed.

Active Play...

taking a walk to find "treasures" such as pine cones, pretty rocks or other things
tag or hide-and-seek
riding toys - be careful to supervise