| Babysitting games are a necessary and fun part of | | | | playing "it" go around this circle while they say "duck" |
| taking care of children. Kids are difficult to keep busy, | | | | or "goose". When they tap and say "goose", the |
| or at least busy doing something that we want them | | | | person who was tapped has to run with the tapping |
| to do. Usually your energy level is much lower than | | | | child around the oval. If the tap-ee reaches their seat |
| that of your charges, so it's a good idea to have some | | | | first, the "goose" has to stay in the center, also called |
| games to keep them entertained. | | | | the "pot". |
| Marco Polo is a great kids' game. Blindfold one child | | | | One good old stand-by among babysitting games is |
| and tell them to yell "Marco!". The other children all yell | | | | coloring. It sounds boring if you're an adult, but when the |
| "Polo!", and the person who is "it" can move closer to | | | | weather is bad, it's a very good project for filling time. If |
| them by listening to where their voices are coming | | | | you have younger children, you will want them to color |
| from, until they get close enough to touch someone | | | | with crayons, since they are non-toxic. If they're a bit |
| else, and then they're "it". If it's a nice day outside, do | | | | older, you can use markers or colored pencils, but be |
| this activity out of doors, where there aren't as many | | | | careful none get chewed on, as they can be |
| breakables around. | | | | dangerous if swallowed. |
| "Red Light-Green Light" is an old favorite among | | | | It's fun for kids to create different food ideas, |
| babysitting games. You can play it best in a big indoor | | | | especially if the weather outside is frightful. Use |
| area, or outside. Have one person stand with arms | | | | bananas and add candy pieces and raisins to them, in |
| stretched out, and yell either "red light" or "green light". | | | | order to make them into people. When you make |
| Everyone else must run on green, and stop on red. | | | | sandwiches, use various shaped cookie cutters that |
| The winner is the first one to arrive at the designated | | | | make sandwiches different shapes. Use healthy and |
| spot, while anyone who runs on red or stops on green | | | | natural foods whenever you can, so they'll have a fun |
| is "out". | | | | and healthy treat. |
| "Duck-Duck-Goose" has been a favorite game for | | | | All of these babysitting games can be used to help |
| many years. It helps keep young kids amused for | | | | keep your children occupied, but you should always be |
| awhile, which can be a very good thing. Have the | | | | in the room with them, so you can monitor them and |
| children sit in a loose circle, and have the person | | | | make sure all is OK. |