You're sitting on a slightly sticky sofa. The kids finally went to sleep, or maybe they’re staring at you with that "what are we doing next?" look that sends a shiver down your spine. Most people think babysitting is just about keeping humans alive until the parents get back. Honestly? That’s the bare minimum. If you want to be the person who gets called back—the one who can actually charge the premium rates—you need a better plan than just "surviving."
Finding the right things to do while babysitting is mostly about reading the room. You can't force a high-energy toddler to do a quiet craft, and you definitely can't expect a pre-teen to think your "fun" board game is anything other than cringe. It's a balance. It's a bit of a dance. You're basically a part-time project manager, entertainer, and safety officer rolled into one.
The First Rule of Babysitting Activities
Before you even think about opening a glitter glue bottle, check the rules. Every house has a different vibe. Some parents are totally cool with a bit of a mess if it means the kids are off screens. Others will have a mini-meltdown if they find a single stray LEGO under the rug. Ask about the "no-go" zones.
I once knew a sitter who decided to make homemade playdough. Great idea, right? Except she didn't realize the family had a strict "no food dye" rule because of the white Persian rug in the playroom. Huge mistake. Massive.
Reading the Energy Levels
Kids are like batteries. Sometimes they're at 100%, and sometimes they’re at 2%. If you try to do a quiet reading session when they’re bouncing off the walls, you’ve already lost.
- High Energy: Think scavenger hunts or "The Floor is Lava."
- Medium Energy: LEGO builds, simple science experiments, or "restaurant" play.
- Low Energy: Reading books, coloring, or "movie theater" (where they make the tickets).
Creative Indoor Games That Don’t Require a Screen
Screens are the easy way out. We all know it. But parents notice when they come home and the kids are still in a YouTube trance. It feels lazy. Instead, try stuff that feels like an event.
Indoor Scavenger Hunts are basically king. You don't need to buy anything. Just write a list of random stuff: something blue, something that smells like cinnamon, a sock with a hole in it, and a toy that looks like an animal. Give them a bag and a timer. It keeps them moving. It keeps them thinking. Plus, it buys you ten minutes of peace while they scramble around the house.
Have you ever tried Balloon Volleyball? It sounds simple because it is. You just need a balloon. The goal is to keep it off the floor. It’s surprisingly intense for a three-year-old. It also happens to be one of those things to do while babysitting that won't result in a broken window or a trip to the ER.
The "Boredom Box" Strategy
If you're a pro, you bring your own stuff. Not a lot. Just a small bag with "special" things they don't see every day.
- Washi Tape: You can tape roads on the floor for toy cars. It peels right off. No damage.
- Pipe Cleaners: They’re weirdly addictive for building sculptures.
- A Deck of Cards: For older kids, teach them Speed or Nertz. For younger ones, it’s just about sorting colors.
Getting Creative with Kitchen Science
You don't need a lab. You just need a kitchen and parents who don't mind a little vinegar smell. Baking Soda Volcanoes are a cliché for a reason—they work every single time.
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But if you want to be fancy, try making Oobleck. It’s just cornstarch and water. It’s a non-Newtonian fluid, which is a fancy way of saying it’s a liquid when you pour it but a solid when you punch it. Kids will spend an hour just poking it. It’s messy, sure, but it’s "educational" messy. That’s the kind of thing parents love to hear about in the post-shift debrief.
Actually, let's talk about the "Educational" trap. Don't call it a lesson. If you call it a lesson, they’ll check out instantly. Call it a "secret experiment" or a "challenge." Use words like explosive or weird.
The Art of the Quiet Time
Eventually, they have to wind down. This is the hardest part. The transition from "running like a maniac" to "getting ready for bed" is where most babysitters fail.
Storytelling with a Twist. Don't just read the book. Ask them what happens next. Or, even better, start a story and have them finish it. "Once upon a time, there was a dragon who was afraid of... what?" Let them fill in the blanks. It engages their brain without getting their heart rate up.
Building Forts (The Ultimate Move)
If all else fails, build a fort. Use every pillow in the house. Use the kitchen chairs. Drape the blankets. There is something primal about a fort that makes kids feel safe and occupied.
Once the fort is built, that’s where the "quiet things" happen. You do the coloring in the fort. You eat the snack in the fort. You read the books in the fort. It’s a designated zone for being chill.
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What to Do When the Kids Are Asleep
This is where your professional reputation is made or broken. Once they’re tucked in, you have two choices: scroll on your phone for three hours or actually be helpful.
Don't just sit there.
I'm not saying you should deep-clean the oven. That’s weird. But if the kitchen has a pile of dinner dishes, wash them. If the toys are scattered everywhere, put them back in the bins. When the parents walk through the door at 11 PM, exhausted from their night out, and they see a clean living room and a quiet house? You just guaranteed yourself a 20% tip and a text for next weekend.
Honestly, the best things to do while babysitting often happen when the kids aren't even awake. It shows you care about the household, not just the paycheck.
Managing Older Kids and Tweens
Tweens are a whole different beast. They don't want to play tag. They want to feel like they're hanging out with a "cool" older person.
- Learn a TikTok Dance: Even if you're bad at it, it’s a bonding thing.
- Video Game Tournament: If they’re into gaming, ask them to teach you. They love being the expert.
- Cook Something Real: Instead of just making mac and cheese, maybe suggest making homemade pizzas or decorating cupcakes. It’s an activity and a meal.
Handling the "I Miss Mom" Meltdown
It happens. Usually around 7 PM. The sun goes down, and the kid realizes their primary caregivers are gone.
Do not panic.
Distraction is your best friend here. Don't try to argue them out of their feelings. Acknowledge it: "Yeah, it’s tough when they leave. But hey, did you know we have those giant bubbles in the garage?" Move the focus immediately. If you linger on the sadness, it grows.
Safety and Practicalities
You can't have fun if someone is bleeding. It’s a vibe killer.
Always know where the first aid kit is. Know the emergency contacts. If you’re going outside, check the yard for open gates or "presents" from the dog. It’s boring stuff, but it’s the foundation. According to the American Red Cross, knowing basic pediatric first aid is the single most important "skill" a sitter can have. Everything else is secondary.
A Quick Word on Snacks
Food is a high-stakes game. Allergies are real and scary. Never, ever give a kid a new food without checking with the parents first. Even if it seems harmless. Stick to what the parents have already laid out.
If you’re allowed to cook, involve the kids. It’s another activity! Measuring flour is basically a math lesson, but don't tell them that.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Gig
If you want to be the best babysitter in the neighborhood, stop winging it.
- Prep a "Sitter Bag": Pack a few items like stickers, a cool book, or some interesting craft supplies.
- Ask the "Golden Questions": When parents are leaving, ask: "What’s one thing they aren't allowed to do?" and "What’s the best way to get them to calm down?"
- The 15-Minute Rule: Every 15 minutes, do a quick "vibe check." Are they getting bored? Are they getting too hyper? Adjust your activity before a meltdown starts.
- The Clean Sweep: Ensure the house looks exactly as it did (or better) than when you arrived.
Babysitting isn't just about watching a clock. It's about managing energy and creating a positive environment. When you have a solid list of things to do while babysitting, the time goes faster, the kids are happier, and you become the most in-demand sitter on the block.
Start by picking one new activity for your next shift. Maybe it’s the scavenger hunt. Maybe it’s the fort. Just don't be the person who sits on the couch and stares at their phone while the kids wonder what happened to the "fun" babysitter. Be the fun one. It pays better.
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To take it a step further, create a simple "report card" to leave for the parents. List what you did, what the kids ate, and any funny things they said. It’s a small touch that makes a massive impact. Keep it brief, keep it honest, and keep it professional. You've got this.