Oh Dear! It’s raining outside, the kids are bouncing off the walls and you’re out of ideas – S.O.S!
Before you start pulling your hair out, take a deep breath! We’ve all been there, wondering how to keep the mini humans entertained without resorting to playing video games.
In this blog, I’ll share babysitting games and fun activities that will have both younger kids and older kids playing, laughing, and shouting that they never want you to go home! How do fun games like balloon tennis, play ‘Simon Sais’, a scavenger hunt or crafts with plastic cups sound?
Ready to engage children while turning a potential flop day into a fun one? Let’s dive in and discover the best age-appropriate games to keep your babysitting crew entertained!
Developmental Stages by Age Groups
Babysitting games and activities don’t have to be complicated or expensive to keep the kids happy. Whether you’re looking after two or more children, there are plenty of simple activities that will follow the child’s interests. Curious about what age-appropriate games to try? Keep reading!
0-2 Years
You’re babysitting a sweet little one between 0 and 2 years old. Things may seem calm for now, but before you know it, those little legs will be wiggling, and they’ll be ready for some easy game action!
The key with babies and toddlers is to understand their developmental stage. These curious explorers are learning quickly, but they also have short attention spans and need lots of guidance and supervision.
While they might not be running around just yet, you’ll still get a workout by thinking of all the fun things to do! Sensory play, simple musical games, and toys they can interact with are great options to keep these munchkins engaged.
And don’t forget – many children have a routine so sticking to it is a must for younger kids. Check in with the parents about nap schedules, snack times, and favourite comfort items.
If the baby takes a nap, you might find yourself spending time to plan some quieter babysitting games or use the break to catch your breath! Keeping things simple and by following their routine will make the day run smoothly for both you and the child.
3-5 Years
For kids aged 3-5, imagination is the name of the game. There are so many fun games and activities to choose from!
At this stage, they’re learning to engage in pretend play, social interaction, and simple problem-solving. Role-playing games and basic puzzles are a great fit for this age group. These games encourage creativity and keep their busy minds and hands engaged.
Children this age still rely on structure, so try to balance energetic activities with quiet time to avoid overstimulation. Having a mix of crafting activities and more active games ensures that everyone stays entertained.
6-7 Years
When caring for 6-7 year olds, you’re dealing with children who are beginning to develop more advanced thinking and coordination. Games that involve simple rules and a bit of movement, like indoor scavenger hunts or DIY obstacle courses, can help them burn off energy while challenging their minds.
This is also a great age for board games that involve strategy like ‘Guess Who’ or ‘Bunny Hop’ but are still easy enough for younger siblings to join in. These kinds of activities help kids work on their problem-solving skills and build teamwork, all while having fun.
8-10 Years
By the time kids are 8-10 years old, they’re starting to enjoy more independence and can handle more complex games. Activities like baking, science activities and building projects are perfect for this age group and can easily be adapted to include younger children as well.
At this stage, it’s all about giving older children enough freedom to explore their interests while keeping them engaged. Games that involve decision-making, creativity, and collaboration are great options to ensure everyone has a good time.
Indoor and Outdoor Balance
Mixing up indoor and outdoor play is key to keeping things fresh. Indoor activities like crafts or quiet reading time are perfect for calmer moments, while outdoor activities like nature walks or a simple scavenger hunt can help burn off energy and provide new experiences.
No matter the weather or the number of children, these ideas will help you create a fun, engaging, and safe environment for all the kids in your care.
Fun and Simple Babysitting Ideas for All Ages
Babysitting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to keep the kids entertained. Whether you’re looking after just one child or a small group, there are plenty of simple activities that will make for a fun afternoon. Curious about what fun activities to try? Here are a few ideas!
0-2 Years: Indoor Games and Sensory Play
Classic Games for Babies: Peek-a-boo and More
Let’s start with some indoor activities. Peek-a-boo is a classic game that helps babies develop object permanence, teaching them that things still exist even when they’re out of sight.
Building Fun: Soft Blocks and Matching Games
For more active fun, try simple matching games or soft blocks – toddlers love building and knocking them down, which strengthens their gross and fine motor skills.
For the Little Music Lovers: DIY Music Sessions
Grab household items like plastic cups or wooden spoons to start a DIY music session. Shaking a rattle or making a rice shaker will have them giggling while developing hand-eye coordination.
Don’t Forget Sensory Play: Exploring with Waldorf and Montessori Toys
Fill a small bin with safe, interesting objects. Add Waldorf-inspired items like silk scarves or felted wool balls, and Montessori-inspired stacking rings and grasping beads. These toys encourage exploration and creativity, supporting mindful, hands-on play which is perfect for early development.
Craft Time: Handprint Art and Sticker Play
Feeling creative? Paper plate or handprint art is a simple, fun activity.
Using non-toxic, washable paint, you can help the child make cute handprints on paper. There are plenty of ideas on Pinterest on any theme or holiday. Not only is this a great keepsake for the parents, but toddlers love seeing their little hands transformed into colourful shapes.
Otherwise, keep it super simple with sticker play. Peeling and sticking large colourful stickers is not only entertaining, but it also helps improve their fine motor skills.
The best part? These crafts are low cost and high on fun!
0-2 Years: Outdoor Games and Fun Adventures
A Day at the Park: Exploring and Gentle Play
Is there a local park nearby? When the weather’s nice, toddlers will enjoy a walk in the park. Point out trees, birds, and anything else that catches their attention, a lovely interactive game!
Blow Bubbles and Kickball: Simple Outdoor Fun
Like to blow bubbles? There’s no faster way to spark joy than blowing bubbles for a toddler to chase!
Another great option is bringing along a regular sized ball for a game of gentle kickball, where toddlers can practice kicking or rolling it back and forth.
Both activities provide entertainment while developing language skills and hand-eye coordination.
Playground Adventures: Toddling Around
If you’re near a playground, it’s a great chance to catch some fresh air and for the children to toddle around. Bad weather? In the Netherlands there are many indoor adventure playgrounds too like ‘Monkey Town’ with baby specific areas.
A Trip to the Children’s Farm: Meeting Animals
Looking for a fun babysitting day? Take the little ones to a local ‘Kinderboerderij’ (children’s farm), where they can meet chickens, goats, and rabbits – an animal young children love! Let them explore, pet, and soak up new experiences all while having loads of adventure in a safe and engaging setting.
Visit to the Local Library: Storytime and Sing-Alongs
A trip to the local Dutch library (Bibliotheek) is a fantastic, free way to entertain little ones while supporting their development.
Many libraries offer activities for young children, like a ‘voorleesmiddag’ (storytime), sing-alongs, and craft workshops for toddlers and babies.
With a great selection of board books like “Rupsje Nooitgenoeg” (“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”) and “Waar is Spot?” (“Where’s Spot?”), it’s the perfect space to catch up and drink a coffee with a fellow babysitter or Au pair friend too.
3-5 Years: Indoor Games for Creative Minds
Baking Fun: Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
Baking is a hit with young kids and helps develop their fine motor skills. Try this easy, healthy oatmeal cookie recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
Mix ingredients, shape into cookies, and bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
Craft Time: Seasonal Themes for Creative Play
Get your craft supplies ready! Crafting taps into kids’ creativity and fine motor skills. During autumn for example, take them on a nature walk to collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones, then create leaf animals or acorn characters indoors. This helps connect children to nature and the seasons helping them to understand the world around them.
3-5 Years: Outdoor Adventures and Play
Biking and Scooting Adventures
Take the kids on a short bike or scooter ride around the local park. For added fun, set up a simple obstacle course with some orange cones to practice balance and coordination.
Visit a Windmill: Learn and Bake Together
Combine a day out with a hands-on baking activity! Visit a local windmill to buy ‘real’ flour while teaching the kids about Dutch history and wind energy. Afterward, head home to bake pancakes or scones together. For more inspiration on where to visit a windmill click here.
Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts
Have you ever visited your local forest? Most forests in the Netherlands have their own ‘Speelbossen’ (Play forests for children) where the ranger and volunteers have set up nature playgrounds which could include a wooden obstacle course, water play areas and tables to enjoy a picnic.
Take a nature walk and create a scavenger hunt to find leaves, acorns, chestnuts or flowers. This encourages both gross motor skills and an appreciation for nature. With these collected treasures you could create leaf rubbings, a spiderweb or make a nature collage.
Water Play Fun: Splash Pads and Wading Pools
In warmer weather, enjoy simple water play in the back yard or at the local pool. Bring along some plastic cups or have a mini water fight to keep the kids refreshed and entertained.
Simple Ball Games: Kickball and Cup Bowling
Bring a regular sized ball for a game of kickball or plastic cup bowling at the park. These simple games are great for improving coordination and keeping kids active.
6-7 Years: Indoor Games and Creative Play
Move and Groove: Cosmic Kids Yoga and Brain Breaks
On rainy days, Cosmic Kids Yoga and Brain Breaks on YouTube are perfect for getting kids moving and burning off energy while staying indoors. These are really fun games to play!
Play Board Games for Strategy and Fun
Children in this age range enjoy more advanced board games and puzzles that require strategy, especially those involving letters and numbers to develop cognitive skills.
A classic game like Scrabble Junior or Monopoly Junior provides both entertainment and educational value, helping them practice reading, spelling, and math skills while having fun.
Don’t have these games in the home? Go for an adventure to a local Dutch ‘Kringloopwinkel’ (thrift shop) and score a board game second hand, it will cost you peanuts!
6-7 Years: Outdoor Games with an Educational Twist
Freek Vonk-Inspired Nature Adventures
Outdoor play remains essential for 6-7-year-olds. For Dutch kids, Freek Vonk is a household name and an exciting inspiration for nature-loving children. Channel their enthusiasm by organizing Freek Vonk-inspired nature activities.
Take the kids on a wildlife scavenger hunt with a magnifying glass and plastic observatory container, children can search for insects, plants, and animal tracks – just like Freek does on his adventures!
8-10 Years: Indoor Babysitting Games and Activities
Looking for an indoor game? But mum said that the kids weren’t allowed to play video games?…
It’s sometimes tough to find a fun game to keep the children entertained with this age group. But with a little creativity there are plenty of indoor games to play like hide and seek, card games like UNO or why don’t you try a round of freeze dance?
Kids dance to music they love which is considered ‘cool’ (so you can forget about Dolly Parton). On Spotify look up the most popular tracks currently trending in the top 10. Maybe if you dare, you can reverse the rolls and let the kids teach you the newest TikTok?
Board Games to play: Catan Junior or Ticket to Ride?
Babysitting older children enjoy more complex board games that involve strategy and teamwork. Games like Catan Junior, Ticket to Ride, and Chess are perfect for developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while having fun. What’s your favourite board game?
Fun Babysitting Games: Slime Lab
Kid friendly topics? SLIME! Slime-making is a fun activity that combines creativity and science. It’s a perfect hands-on project for this age group and can also promote language skills by introducing new vocabulary. Here’s a simple recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white school glue
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon contact lens solution (with boric acid)
- Optional: food colouring or glitter
Instructions:
Mix the glue and baking soda, then add contact lens solution to form the slime. Customize it with food colouring or glitter for extra fun.
Looking for more? afterwards you might like to try this two-ingredient cloud dough.
Kids Baking Challenge: Cupcake Edition
The perfect game while babysitting older kids – host a Kids Baking Challenge! The children are in charge of making their own cupcakes with minimal help from you (but still under close supervision).
Set Up the Ingredients:
Prepare the basic cupcake ingredients (flour, sugar, eggs, etc.) along with paper plates and fun toppings like sprinkles, icing, and fruit.
Explain the Rules:
The kids handle the mixing and decorating with only minimal guidance. They’ll get to showcase their creativity through their cupcake designs.
Bake the Cupcakes:
Once the cupcakes are in the oven, kids sit down to plan their decorations. Get out some craft supplies like construction paper and texters to draw pictures of the cupcake designs, it’s all about the genius plan! Many kids may enjoy decorating the paper plates for serving too.
Judging Time:
After the cupcakes are baked and decorated, it’s time for you to judge! Create categories like creativity, taste, and presentation, and have fun with the scoring.
Creative Projects: Polymer Clay for Sculpting and Fun
For artistic kids, polymer clay is a fantastic way to express creativity. They can mould and sculpt figurines, jewellery, or keychains, which are then baked to harden.
It’s an engaging project that lets them experiment with shapes and designs where they’ll have a tangible own creation to keep or gift at the end.
8-10 Years: Outdoor Babysitting Games and Exploration
Build a hut: Creativity and Teamwork Outdoors
Fun things for outdoor fun? Challenge the older children to build a hut using natural materials like sticks, leaves, and other natural items. It’s a great way to foster creativity and teamwork while letting them engage with nature.
Explore and Adventure: Short Hikes, Castles, and Climbing
Classic outdoor games like a penalty shootout with soccer, practicing badmington, or shooting some hoops outside are always winners – especially if you have two kids or more.
If you’re looking for a memorable outdoor adventure, take the kids on a short local hike following a Dutch ‘wandelknooppunt’ trail. These paths are usually marked with yellow and green arrows and are perfect for exploring nature together or enjoying a treasure hunt along the way.
For a more energetic outing, try an outdoor adventure centre for some rock-climbing.
Conclusion: Endless Fun for Babysitting Across All Ages
With a combination of babysitting games like hands-on crafting, outdoor exploration, a baking challenge or even visiting a Dutch windmill, taking care of children from 0-10 years old can be fun and rewarding.
These kids activities provide the perfect blend of learning, creativity, and play – ensuring kids stay entertained and happy throughout the day.
Want to know your Babysitter Hourly Rate? or How Much Should You Expect to Pay (or receive) in 2024? Read more about the babysitter hourly rate!