What are some fun babysitting activities for a 4 yr.old and a 2 yr. old??

Question

I have two babysitting charges. One is a 4 year old, who is a girl, and the other is 2 years old and is a boy. They live just down my street, and they have met my dog often. They often ask to see my dog, and are very demanding. However, my dog is too big and strong for the two of them, and they often walk right into my house, despite what I say, so that I cannot tell them that my dog is not home.
I need to take their minds off of my dog and give them some fun and interesting activities to do. They have a series of toys, but they seem bored with them. Their mom enjoys it when I take them outside to play, but when we are outside they want to see my dog! What can I do to occupy them instead?

Answer 1

Kids of any age always seem to love scavenger hunts. Take them outside, give them each a bag. They are young so you will have to help them read the clues. Give them clues to where they can find items you have hid. Items can be anything from toys - crayons- different colored leaves depending on the time of year, flowers etc. Once they have completed the hunt reward them with an ice-cream or popcorn or something. Give it a try. I am sure they will have fun and it is a good way to pass the time. You can also try finding more kids activities at www.treehouse.com. It is a very good website for children.

Answer 2

I have a two year old son and when he wants to do something that i'm not crazy about (like watch peter pan for the hundreth time that day) I get him all excited about anything else. As long as you get really excited about it the kids are more than likely to get excited too. Get a ball or two to kick and throw around outside. Try finding bugs with the boy and flowers with the girl. Go on nature walks, if there is a park nearby walk there. Boys love to jump in puddles too! Get sidewalk chalk or take some of their toys outside with you. Putting some of their old things in a new setting will make them seem like new again and interesting. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Look up how to make play dough on the Internet. I used to make it all the time for my kids, and add food dye to make different colors. It actually smells better than regular play dough that you buy and lasts longer in zip lock bags. Make shapes and have fun with that. The four year old is probably most age appropriate for this activity, but the two year old learns by watching the 4 year old, and can do some simple things. Make finger puppets by drawing on paper than circle around your fingers and tape. Having a finger puppet show is fun and it allow their imaginations to flourish. Pretend something is a Pirate ship, make eye patches with black construction paper and string. Find clothes for dress up activities and put on a play. Tack up a sheet from one wall to another to make a curtain and let them put on dress up clothes, help them with the actual play by giving them a story they know to act out, such as Little Red Riding Hood. We used our dog as the Big Bad Wolf and talked for him. Since they like your dog, that may be a fun way to interact, unless your dog is not the kind of temperament to be around small kids. Get some chalk and draw hopscotch on the cement or sidewalk. Play hide and go seek in the house. In the house you have to be more creative, but since one of the Mom's likes it when you go outside to play, you probably need to do that in a protected area, where you can keep a close eye on them outside, at that young of an age. You need to go ahead and peek to see where they are going to hide if you do go outside, just for safety purposes. Fake it in finding them. Jump rope for the four year old is possible if they are somewhat coordinated. Make a obstacle course for the four year olds tricycle, like using cones, going around a box twice, squeezing past two stones without hitting any of the tires, etc. Hope those ideas help!! All of them take some interacting on your part, but that's what kids love the most, is to be given the resources, start them on an idea and let them go and have fun with it.

Answer 4

Watch cartoons with them while eating popcorn. Play a simple game of Candyland, help them decorate different kinds of crafts.

Answer 5

Go to da dollar store, and buy coloring books, and crayons, and paint sets! jumbo puzzles. Rent kid movies? make themed cookies with them. Example:Easter
Umm, pretty much, turn the tv on, and let them watch Sprout, lol

Answer 6

i don't know where you live to know what the weather is but buy some chalk and draw that's always fun. teach the girl how to jump rope, teach them how to play baseball or something if they have bikes take them for a bike ride.

Answer 7

Play soccer, tag, red light-green light, make up a scavanger hunt, take them for a walk.