Hi there! I’m Lynette, and I’m so happy to be blogging here at Or So She Says today. I am currently pursuing a dual major in severe special education and early childhood special education—and love it! When I’m not busy studying (or doing something else really boring), I love to read, sew, cook (well, sometimes!), play the clarinet, and hang out with my awesome husband. You can read about my adventures over at My Craft Discovery. I love new visitors!
I thoroughly enjoy playing with children and began babysitting when I was barely 11…and never stopped! I’ve worked as a nanny during the summers while in college, and have enjoyed it. I was a favorite babysitter in the neighborhood, and it was all because of my secret weapon. I ALWAYS took a bag of toys with me. Here’s a little list of the never-fail, always loved toys and activities to fill your daughter’s babysitting bags with. With any of these suggestions, let your daughter choose the items—this will (hopefully) ensure that she’ll use them! I always like to have enough loot to rotate for different babysitting appointments so the kids don’t ever get bored of my bag!
Safety 1st!
One of my babysitting clients mentioned that my medical release form really impressed her. The medical release form included the parent’s consent that in the even of an emergency and I wasn’t able to contact the parent, the parent was giving permission for her children to receive treatment. The form included emergency information as well (allergies, doctor’s number, phone numbers, and all that jazz). I found a medical release form and typed up to make my own version. I found a basic one here that can be printed, or used as a guide so your daughter can make her own. I kept a form on file for each family I tended for. I thankfully never had to use the form,but this helped the parents and I feel safe. Encourage your daughter to take a baggie of band-aids with her, keep the doors locked at all times, and let the phone go to the answering machine unless asked to answer it. Lately, I’ve tended a few families that don’t have a home phone. I always make sure I have my cell phone with me so I can call parents or 911 if needed. (Ya know, all that common sense stuff!) 🙂
Your daughter will need a bag or tote of some kind. I had a canvas bag that I decorated with puff paints when I was younger, but I now use a cute Jansport backpack. Let your daughter take ownership of decorating or choosing the bag. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but bigger is usually better. If the bag has some visual interest, the kids will want to see what’s inside before mom ever leaves. This helps mom sneak out while her kids are distracted.
Take Some Favorite Books
Have your daughter find some of her favorite story books to share with the children. If she puts kiddos down for bed, it’s great to have a brand new story to share. Some of my old favorites include: The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord and Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. Some of the children I’ve watched love: Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex, If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and the sequel Pickles to Pittsburgh, also by Judi Barrett. Don’t feel like you need to run out and by new books (or toys)! Use what you’ve got, or take your daughter to the local library to check out a few!
Take Some Outside Toys and Games
Children love playing games! Their little faces light up each time they win at UNO, or go fish. You can always simplify games to make them work for younger players such as taking out the “skip,” cards in UNO, or find the “Jr.” or “My First,” editions. I enjoy taking children outdoors—especially during the summer. Children of all ages have loved my Bubble Pig that I picked up from walmart for about $10.00 a few years ago. Another well loved toy is sidewalk chalk. Bubbles and sidewalk chalk, can life get any better than this? For older kids, take a set of jacks or marbles. You can usually find cheap and fun toys at your local Dollar store, at a garage sale (or in your daughter’s closet)!
Take Art Supplies
I always have either a coloring book and old crayons, or a printed color page with me. You can find printable color pages through Crayola’s website (my favorite), Disney’s website, or simply google “printable coloring pages.” Crayola’s website has everything from simple coloring pages for younger children, to crossword puzzles and “fill in the picture,” activities for older children. Disney’s website is mostly geared for preschoolers, and you can choose from several different characters.
I have cut out shapes, pictures of different food items, pictures cut out of magazines, etc to make collages with. I always take glue and scissors in case they are difficult to find in others’ houses. I don’t like to appear like I’m “snooping.” Items like play-doh, stamps and a washable ink pad, and a magnadoodle are great activities to use up time!
Play with your Food!
Children love making things with food. I’ve popped a bag of popcorn, given the children a piece of paper and Elmer’s glue, and let them decorate a tree with popcorn. With the left over popcorn, we’ve sprinkled the popcorn with cinnamon and sugar…so yummy! This is definitely one of the most remembered and requested activities (eating the popcorn–not necessarily gluing it to a silly paper). Your daughters can gather up a couple older potatoes, toothpicks, buttons, and other small objects to help her children make “Potato Pals.” For a full tutorial and other potato ideas, click here. You can make necklaces with cereal, “paint,” with fries and ketchup, or pudding and cookies/pretzels. Just tell your daughter to try something, and the kids will have a blast!
I hope my suggestions can help your daughters become the best babysitters on your block! Thanks for having me!
Great post Lynette! I can totally say that her ideas work magic. She has watched my kids and they LOVED the bag. It was all they would talk about for an hour or so before they knew she was coming. Why did you have to move Lynette? We miss you! Fred still tucks his bear in every night with the blanket and pillow you made for it : )
Fantastic ideas!!!! My daughter also switches out movies in her kit! Funny how if kids have their own copy, they would prefer to watch some one else’s copy!
Good babysitters are SO hard to find! I love all of these ideas 🙂 You really could make such a cute gift for girls by throwing together a babysitting kit. Love it.
Oh, my favorite babysitters are the ones who will clean up after all the happenings at the home. 🙂
by John Vernon Lord and Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown. Some of the children I’ve watched love: Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody
by Michael Rex, If I Built a Car
by Chris Van Dusen, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
by Judi Barrett, and the sequel Pickles to Pittsburgh
, also by Judi Barrett. Don’t feel like you need to run out and by new books (or toys)! Use what you’ve got, or take your daughter to the local library to check out a few!
that I picked up from walmart for about $10.00 a few years ago. Another well loved toy is sidewalk chalk. Bubbles and sidewalk chalk, can life get any better than this? For older kids, take a set of jacks or marbles. You can usually find cheap and fun toys at your local Dollar store, at a garage sale (or in your daughter’s closet)!
are great activities to use up time!
Are you from STG? I’m pretty sure we both went to Dixie High. I’m not sure! Jessica Lunt…my maiden name. Does that ring a bell? Great post!
Great post Lynette! I can totally say that her ideas work magic. She has watched my kids and they LOVED the bag. It was all they would talk about for an hour or so before they knew she was coming. Why did you have to move Lynette? We miss you! Fred still tucks his bear in every night with the blanket and pillow you made for it : )
Great idea! I wish I would have done this when I babysat….maybe I should show it to our babysitters…thanks Lynette!
Fantastic ideas!!!! My daughter also switches out movies in her kit! Funny how if kids have their own copy, they would prefer to watch some one else’s copy!
Good babysitters are SO hard to find! I love all of these ideas 🙂 You really could make such a cute gift for girls by throwing together a babysitting kit. Love it.
Oh, my favorite babysitters are the ones who will clean up after all the happenings at the home. 🙂
Great ideas everybody! Thanks for your comments! I also take movies like Thanks again for having me Jessica and Mariel!
Awesome job Lynette!