I'm babysitting a 5 year old girl from 10:00am to 8:00pm every single day. She has gotten bored with most things we do, so I need something creative and I prefer it to be inside, because it's way too hot.
By Dianeis R.
My daughters love to play with shaving cream, it's like $1 a can at walmart. Just let her smear it all over the table, it really is fun. Can be messy, but it won't stain. My girls also love to draw. Play doh is fun, and cheap too. Just be careful it doesn't get mashed into carpet. Practice writing her name with her, my 3 year old loves writing. Go to the library and borrow childrens books, most kids love books.
Have you checked out community things? Right now in my neighborhood, there are several vacation Bible schools going on, our library has programs for the kids, our swimming pool has lessons and special rate passes for the summer, and we have movies in the park.
Does she have a craft box? No need for anything special, just old magazines, scissors, glue, some construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and things like that. You can find most old school supplies at yard sales for pennies.
Homemade play dough with kitchen utensils, make clothes for a doll, empty food containers for a special "pretend" shopping trip, practice her printing for school, teach her the sounds of the letters or how to read if she's that advanced, how to tell time and count money, gardening - even if it's in a pot, make things with yarn, cooking/baking lessons, how to sort laundry and properly wash dishes by hand, how to follow directions (make pudding and jello if nothing else), and read, Read, read to her, exercise with her.
Try this recipe for sand dough: Sculpt a summer sandcastle, even f you don't live near the beach!
What you need (per person)
1 cup clean sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water
Old pot (per batch)
1. Have an adult (you, if you're old enough) put all the ingredients into an old pot and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture is very thick.
2. Allow the dough to cool until it can be handled easily.
3. Knead the dough until it feels like gritty playdough.
4. Create a fun sculpture - try a castle, a sea critter or even a friendly monster!
You should also check out the Zoom website - www.pbskids.org/zoom for some great kids' activities. They even have printable activity books. Good luck!
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I'm babysitting a 5 year old boy until 5:00 today and I am miserable. He can't stay occupied for very long, he's demanding, and starts to cry when he doesn't get his way.
If I can keep him occupied he's a very well behaved kid, but I have run out of ideas. Help!Well, since it usually takes about a week for your post to get on here, your day is over. It should not be up to you to come up with things for him to do. His parents would be "entertaining" him if they were with him, so you may want to ask them what he likes to do and have them supply you with what works.
play tag with him
go slow so he can tag u
or play hide and seek
but hide in an easy to see place
let him draw and pretend he is an artist. announce what he is drawing and eaderate on how great it is. You can even make a trophy and give it to him, kids love stuff like that
arts and crafts
talk softly to him
read story
watch a movie
play cards
