Engaging activities for kids of all ages!
Keeping kids engaged in age-appropriate activities is essential for their overall development and wellbeing. Coming up with these activities can be challenging at times, so here are some ideas of things you can do with the kids you work with :
Infants (0-12 months)
Tummy time: Encourage infants to develop their motor skills by spending time on their tummy, reaching for toys, and exploring their surroundings.
Sensory play: Use different textures, colors, and sounds to stimulate their senses. Examples include soft blankets, books, rattles, and musical toys.
Sing songs with hand gestures: Engage with the child by singing a song that includes simple hand movements. This can help promote the baby’s mental and physical development and strengthen their bond with you.
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Creative play: Encourage imaginative play with props such as dress-up clothes, play kitchen sets, or building blocks.
Outdoor exploration: Take toddlers on nature walks or play outside (if possible). Inspire them to explore and collect items like leaves, rocks, and sticks.
Music and movement: Encourage toddlers to dance and move to music, sing songs and play instruments. Set-up a few options of musical toys they can try or clear the space to make room for dancing!
Preschool (3-5 years)
Art projects: Welcome creativity through painting, drawing, and sculpting with different materials like play dough, clay, and paper.
Storytelling: Read and tell stories to develop language skills, imagination, and cognitive development. Here are some reading milestones you can reference.
Cooking: Involve preschoolers in simple cooking activities like measuring ingredients, stirring, and mixing. There are plenty of wooden knives and cutting kits to support this activity.
School age (6-12 years)
Science experiments: Perform simple science experiments with household items to promote curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Board games: Engage in board games to promote social skills and critical thinking.
Sports and physical activities: Encourage physical activity with outdoor games like soccer, tag, or bike riding.
Choosing activities that are age-appropriate, encourage creativity, and promote physical and cognitive development is a great skill to have as a babysitter.