Summer is the prime time to find a part-time nanny job, or even just some days of babysitting here and there. Personally, I'm a part-time nanny for a baby all year round, but when the summer comes, the older kids are obviously home because there's no school.
Being with the kids so much during the day means that I need to have things planned for us to do, because who actually wants to let kids watch TV all day? Parents don't like that either. They're paying you to be there. Sometimes I find myself out of ideas to do with the kids, so that's where I have to get creative. For all of you nannies, like myself, that run out of fun activities to do with kids they babysit: this one's for you.
1. Tie-Dye
I just did this last week with the kids I babysit, and they LOVED it. Surprisingly enough, they had never done it before. You can just about tie-dye any kind of fabric. T-shirts, pillow cases, socks, towels, etc. We did t-shirts for the older kids and even made a tie-dye onesie for their baby sister.
They enjoyed doing it and it was actually really fun for me as well. They were so excited to make their own designs and see their creations after they had sat overnight and been washed and dried. It's fairly inexpensive too.
2. Decorating Cookies
I don't know a kid who doesn't like cookies, and they love them even more when they get to design them themselves. Get a pack of sugar cookie dough, some cute cookie cutters, and some different colored icing in squeezable tubes. They get to play with the dough and shape the cookies, whether they use cookie cutters or just free hand their shapes. Bake them, let them cool, and then it's time to design it with icing and sprinkles. That's the best part (right next to eating them!).
3. Making Slime
Right now, next to fidget spinners, kids are really loving slime. I'm doing this with the kids I babysit soon and they are so excited. All it takes is a few ingredients and a little bit of patience. Here is a link with a recipe for it and instructions!
4. Making Sidewalk Foam Paint
Sidewalk chalk is so overrated. Making foam paint is much more fun. They get to custom create their own colors and then go outside and use the concrete as their canvas. Here is a link that tells you how to make foam paint.
5. Marshmallow Play Dough
Kids love play dough, and edible play dough is even better! Here is the recipe and instructions for this fun, safe activity!
6. Pet Rocks
No, you didn't read that wrong. Go out an hunt for a perfect, smooth rock. Then come back inside and have them paint it and add googly eyes for a touch of fun!
7. "Time-Out" Bottles
You can use them for "time-out" if they need it, but this is also just a fun craft to do. Here is a link to show you how to make these!
8. Ice-Cream In A Bag
What? Yes! You can assist kids in making their own ice cream all in a bag, with little to no mess and clean up! Even toddlers can do it. With a few ingredients that are probably already at the house, this is an activity I guarantee they will love! You can click here to learn how to do this!
