So, you’ve got a babysitting gig, and the kids are past the naptime-and-crayons stage. Older kids—think tweens and young teens—present a unique challenge. They’re too old for playing “Duck, Duck, Goose” (they might actually goose you), but they’re not quite ready to just sit and discuss philosophy. You need activities that are cool enough to get them to look up from their phones, but easy enough that you don’t need a craft degree or a trunk full of expensive supplies.
I’ve been there. I remember staring at a 12-year-old who informed me, with a sigh that could power a wind farm, that everything I suggested was “cringe.” This list is my hard-earned arsenal against the dreaded “I’m bored” proclamation. These are my go-to, battle-tested activities that are actually fun and surprisingly easy to pull off.
Culinary Creations (Without a Fire Hazard)
Getting in the kitchen is always a win. It’s a built-in activity plus a snack at the end. Just be sure to double-check with the parents about any allergies or dietary restrictions before you start. Safety first, fun a very close second.
1. The Ultimate DIY Sundae Bar
This is my secret weapon. You don’t even need to “make” anything. Raid the pantry for ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, whipped cream, and any random candy you can find (chopped up chocolate bars work wonders). Lay it all out and let them go to town.
The best part? The activity is creating the most ridiculous, towering, architecturally unsound sundae imaginable. It buys you at least 30 minutes of focused construction and another 15 of delicious eating. IMO, it’s the perfect babysitting activity.
2. Personalized Pizzas
Grab some pre-made pizza dough, English muffins, or even bagels. Set out bowls of tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and a few toppings like pepperoni, diced peppers, or olives. Let each kid design their own personal pizza.
You get to chat about their culinary masterpieces (Is a face made of pepperoni a requirement? Apparently, yes.), and they get to eat something they made themselves. It’s a win-win. Plus, it teaches a basic life skill, which makes you look like a responsible babysitting genius. 🙂
3. No-Bake Energy Bites
This is for when you want the fun of cooking without actually turning on the oven. Find a simple recipe online for no-bake energy bites (usually just oats, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips). It’s a hands-on, slightly messy activity that results in a healthy-ish snack.
Ever wondered why kids love mixing things with their hands? It’s a primal urge, I’m convinced. Lean into it. Just make sure everyone washes their hands first.
The Great Outdoors (or Backyard)
Sometimes you just need to get them moving and burning off some of that seemingly endless energy. Fresh air is a magical thing.
4. Backyard Obstacle Course
This is where you can get creative. Use pillows to jump over, a blanket to crawl under, a chalk-drawn line to walk on, and a tree to run around three times. Time each kid and have them try to beat their own score.
It’s hilarious to watch, it wears them out, and the setup is part of the fun. FYI, the more ridiculous the obstacles, the better. “Crab walk across the patio” is always a crowd-pleaser.
5. Sidewalk Chalk “City”
If you’ve got a driveway or a quiet sidewalk, this is a fantastic activity. Draw a whole city with roads, roundabouts, parking lots, and buildings. Then they can use their toy cars, action figures, or even just rocks and sticks to populate the city.
This can keep a group engaged for over an hour. They get so invested in the traffic patterns and urban planning. It’s honestly impressive to watch.
6. Classic Water Balloon Fight (with a Twist)
On a hot day, this is unbeatable. But instead of just a free-for-all, make it a game. Fill a bucket with water balloons and have a relay race where they have to transport a balloon on a spoon, or set up targets to knock down. The “twist” is that the winner gets to be the first to dump a bucket of water on your head. Fair play. :/
Creative & Crafty Chaos
You don’t need to be Picasso to lead a craft activity. The goal is process, not perfection. Embrace the mess.
7. “Friendship” Bracelets (The Super-Easy Version)
I know, I know. Friendship bracelets can look complicated. But there are super simple knots that anyone can learn in two minutes. Just search for a “simple friendship bracelet pattern” on your phone. All you need is embroidery floss, which is cheap and easy to find.
It’s a wonderfully quiet, focused activity that still allows for chatting. Plus, they get a wearable souvenir from the time you hung out. Just be prepared to tie a lot of knots.
8. Cardboard Box Creations
Never underestimate the power of a cardboard box. If the family has any recycling, grab a few boxes, along with tape, markers, and scissors (the blunt-nosed kind for safety!). Then challenge them to build something.
A fort, a rocket ship, a time machine, a car for the family pet—the possibilities are endless. I firmly believe that a plain cardboard box is one of the best toys ever invented. It forces them to use their imagination, which is a muscle that needs exercise.
9. Rock Painting
This is a trend that stuck around for a reason. Find some smooth, flat rocks outside, wash them off, and let the kids paint them with acrylic paint. They can make silly faces, inspiring messages, or intricate patterns.
Once they’re dry, you can hide them around the neighborhood for others to find, or just keep them as a collection of tiny, painted treasures. It’s simple, cheap, and the results are always charming.
Game On! (Low-Tech Fun)
Put the screens away for a bit and reconnect with the classics. You might be surprised at how into it they get.
10. The “Movie Pitch” Challenge
This is my favorite for a group of three or more. Tell them they are Hollywood movie producers. Their job is to come up with an idea for a movie, create the main characters, and then act out the trailer for the rest of the group.
The crazier the plot, the better. I’ve seen pitches for a superhero who fights evil with a magic spatula and a thriller set entirely in a laundromat. It sparks so much creativity and teamwork, and the final “trailers” are guaranteed to have you all in stitches.
11. Board Game Tournament
Pick a few board games they love and set up a mini-tournament. Keep a simple leaderboard on a piece of paper. A little bit of healthy competition makes even a simple game of Uno feel like the World Cup.
It’s a structured way to play that can fill a whole afternoon, especially if you have a knockout-style bracket.
12. 20 Questions (or “I Spy” with a Twist)
These classic car games work just as well on a couch. For a twist on “I Spy,” try “I Spy with a Magnifying Glass,” where you have to find ridiculously tiny details in the room. Or for “20 Questions,” limit it to a category like “animals” or “things in this house” to make it a bit easier for younger older kids.
Tech & Chill (Yes, You Can Use Screens)
Look, screens are a part of life. The key is to use them in a way that’s interactive and shared, not just passive scrolling.
13. Collaborative Playlist Creation
Ask each kid what their favorite song is right now. Then, take turns building a playlist together on a music streaming service. You have to listen to at least 30 seconds of each song someone suggests. It’s a fantastic way to learn about their taste in music, and they get a kick out of hearing what the “old” babysitter listens to (spoiler: they will likely make fun of it).
14. “Watch Party” Video Commentary
Pick a funny, kid-friendly YouTube video or a short movie. The rule is you have to provide live, MST3K-style commentary throughout. Make silly predictions, do voices for the characters, and point out the absurdities.
It turns a passive activity into an interactive, hilarious one. I’ve had more laughs doing this than almost anything else.
15. Learn a TikTok Dance
This is the nuclear option. If they’re feeling a bit low-energy, challenge them to teach you a TikTok dance. They will be delighted by your lack of coordination and utter confusion. The result is a lot of laughter, some accidental exercise, and a memory that will make them smile long after you’ve gone home. Warning: your pride may be slightly injured.
Brainiacs & Budding Einsteins
These activities are great for sparking conversation and making them think without feeling like schoolwork.
16. Investigate a “Mystery”
Plant a few clues around the house before they arrive. Maybe a “secret message” hidden under a pillow, a strange drawing on a piece of paper, or a mysterious object in the fridge. Tell them you’ve discovered something strange and need their help to figure out what it means.
Then, let their imaginations run wild as they create a story around the clues. It’s like improv for kids.
17. The Penny Boat Challenge
This is a classic STEM activity. Give them a small square of aluminum foil and challenge them to fold it into a boat that can hold as many pennies as possible without sinking. Have them test their designs in the sink or a large tub of water. They can then redesign and try again. It’s simple, fascinating, and teaches a bit about buoyancy and engineering. They won’t even realize they’re learning.
18. Write a Collaborative Story
Start a story with one sentence. “Leo the lion was walking through the jungle when he discovered a mysterious, glowing object…” Then, go around in a circle, with each person adding one sentence to the story.
The plot twists will be wild and unexpected. You can end up with a tale involving aliens, missing homework, and a dramatic dance-off. Write it down and read it back at the end for maximum effect.
The “Out of My Way” Activities
These are the things you can suggest when you need them to be independently occupied for a bit so you can tidy up or just have a moment of peace.
19. Fort Building
Give them a mission: “Build the ultimate reading fort/headquarters.” Provide them with pillows, blankets, and chairs. Then, step back and let them engineer their masterpiece.
This will keep them busy for a solid hour, and they will be so proud to show off their creation. It’s a great way to encourage teamwork and independent play.
20. “Photo Shoot” Styling Session
If they have access to a tablet or a phone (with parent permission, of course!), challenge them to do a styled photo shoot. They can gather props, pick a theme (like “Royalty” or “Superheroes”), and take turns being the photographer and the model.
They get to be creative, and you get a few minutes to clean up the kitchen from the sundae bar. 😉
So there you have it. Twenty activities that go way beyond the usual babysitting playbook. The secret ingredient isn’t fancy supplies or elaborate plans—it’s your willingness to be a little silly and meet them where they are. Now go forth, be the cool babysitter, and collect that good karma (and the cash).
