Getting your first (or 50th!) babysitting gig can be a bit intimidating. Kids require a lot of energy, and great babysitters will be able to keep them occupied with original, fun and entertaining projects to keep them occupied and engaged during your entire visit. However, coming up with new and exciting projects can be difficult, which is why we’ve put together a list of some of the best babysitting ideas and projects that we use while babysitting.

Babysitting Ideas For New Babysitters: 

1. Make a pizza

Use construction paper to cut out different pizza “toppings” and have the kids create their “dream pizza” on paper. What kind of sauce would they have? Marinara, pesto or maybe just plain? Would they choose meat toppings or veggies? Would they make a design with their toppings or spread them out any which way? This can be all you do with this activity, or, if you have a way of doing so, head to the nearest grocery store (or ask the kids parents to do so) and pick up a pre-made crust, the toppings, and sauce. The kids can help create the pizza by spreading out the sauce, adding the cheese, and arranging their dream toppings. Just be sure to get reimbursed if you purchase the ingredients, and to explain stove safety information to the kids.

2. Go to the library

The public library is a great place to spend the afternoon with children, even if they don’t have a library card! Often public libraries have a kids section with comfy chairs and a special selection of books.

3. Make earth art

Give each kid a bag, head outside, and ask them to collect anything they find beautiful. Then, create earth art with their findings!

4. Make paper jewelry

There are lots of great online tutorials for paper crafts, like this one on paper beads and this one on paper quilting.

5. Write a book

Creating an imaginative story is a great way to get kids creative juices flowing. You can create paper booklets by stapling folded construction paper together at the fold, and the kids can write (with or without your help, depending on the age) their stories accompanied by their own illustrations. They can even include author descriptions on the back cover!

Be sure to vote in our babysitting ideas poll below!

6. Put on a fashion show

Have the kids dress up in their most outrageous outfits, blast some (age-appropriate) music, and WORK!

7. Play doll sports

If the kids you babysit like dolls, and do sports, try combining the two with the game “doll olympics.” This game works especially well for kids that do dance or gymnastics: pick a judge, (either you or the kid(s)) and have the dolls “compete” against one another. The kids that I babysit love playing this game with silly doll names, (think “mashed potatoes) and silly announcer voices. “Mashed potatoes is now mounting the balance beam, ladies and gentlemen!” 

8. Make playdough

Playdough is super easy to make, and is guaranteed to keep kids occupied and happy for at least a day (a long time in kid time!). You can find tutorials here and here.

9. Make chalk art

If the family you babysit for has a driveway or sidewalk near the house, grab some sidewalk chalk and head outside. If your kids need more structure than a chalk free for all, try writing out words like “welcome” or “smile” in big bubble letters and asking them to color them in.

10. Go on a hike

If you live in an area that allows you to do so, grab the kids and head outside for a walk or a hike. Making a checklist of natural things to spot along the way is a great way to keep them from getting board. Call it a “nature scavenger hunt”!

11. Tie dye

This classic kids activity is a great babysitting activity for a summer day. Just be sure to check in with the kids parents to find out what they can and cant dye.

12. Put on a puppet show

Have the kids create popsicle puppets and then put on a show! If they’ve made their own books (#5) you can have them bring them to life in their very own production.

Have your own babysitting ideas? Be sure to tell us in the comment section below; who knows, your babysitting ideas might just help another FP girl out with her babysitting job!