Tips for Baby Sitting Grandpas

When grandma baby sits, she and the kids usually find a bunch of kitchen type things to do like baking cookies or planning a surprise for dinner. When it's grandpa's turn, it isn't always so easy to come up with activities to entertain the kiddies, especially if grandpa doesn't cook and his charges are five or under.

Here are some tips that will guarantee the kids (and Grandpa) will enjoy their time together, whether it is for an hour, an afternoon or a whole day. If Grandma doesn't look out, she may find herself out of a job.

1. Just because it's called babysitting, doesn't mean you have to sit.

If it's day time, and not really awful weather, take the kids out for a walk around the neighborhood. Give them several things to look for, like a dandelion, a fir cone, a bug, a piece of wood, a rock, etc. You can carry a plastic bag for them to collect these treasures as you go along.

It won't hurt for you to use the opportunity while you are walking to get in a few educational plugs such as looking both ways before crossing the street, not littering, staying on your own side of the sidewalk, etc.

When you get back, if they are old enough, help them clean up the yard if it needs it, even raking leaves, or pulling a few weeds. This will not only give you and them something to do, but will please Mom and Dad when they return.

2. Combine physical activities with other things.

The experts are always telling us that kids today aren't getting enough exercise. If they are old enough to count, have them hop on one leg while they count to ten. Then have them do the same thing on their other leg. (If Grandpa is agile enough, he can hop along with them.) If the kids don't know how to count, count for them as they go through the motions, and they'll be counting along before you know it.

Try other repetitive things, letting them count different amounts each time; things like, lie down on the floor 5 times, get up 5 times; take 8 giant steps across the room, take 8 giant steps back across the room; do 12 jumping jacks; clap your hands 25 times without stopping.

When they tire of counting, combine physical activities with singing, choosing lively tunes to keep them hopping.

3. Let the kids "paint" Grandpa's face.

Usually, the kids already have paint and brushes around, but, just in case they don't, pick up some to have on hand so you'll be prepared for your next baby sitting stint. Turn about is fair play so, after the kids have had their turn at Grandpa, Grandpa gets to paint the kids. And what a waste it would be if you didn't bring along a digital camera to record your artistic masterpieces.

4. Use singing to keep the children occupied.

You don't even have to be able to carry a tune to do this. In fact, the worse you sing, the more kids seem to like it. Tell them you are going to make up a song while they listen and then they can make up a song while you listen. Make up a short song; the more ridiculous, the better. Try something like, "I'm a purple worm and I have 14 legs. I also have a little dog, who walks around and begs." Or, if you are good at thinking up songs, use the children's names in one. For example, "Mary was a roly-poly bear. The only problem that she had was that she had no hair." By the time you finish singing your song, (probably even before), your grandchildren will be clamoring to sing their own made-up songs.

After a few turns each, you can add some songs you all know and sing them together--like the alphabet song. Songs they can act out as they sing are also a lot of fun--like "Deep and Wide," or "Found a Peanut," especially if you have a few peanuts to make acting out the song realistic.

5. Use limited segments of time to keep them interested in simple chores or activities.

If the kids need to clean up their rooms, give each one a cardboard box to see how many toys or clothes they can find on the floor of their room in 10 minutes. Count the items when they return, and tell them you are so amazed at all the things they found that you are going to help them put the items away--and then do it.

Try making a group painting or drawing together. Start by spreading a large paper on a table. Then place a clock with a minute hand on the table and have the children gather around. Give each child one minute to add something to the group picture. You can suggest a title ahead of time to give them an idea about what to add. Something like, Our Visit to the Zoo, might work well. The kids who aren't working on the scene will be watching the clock to make sure the current "artist" doesn't take more than his one minute of time. Let them continue until they get tired of the project, or until they all agree that the picture is done.

6. Plant beans.

Most Grandpas have 4" planters left over from bringing their own plants home from the store. Take some of those along with a couple of trowels and a handful of dry beans the next time you are called on for baby sitting duty. Put the kiddies to work digging a little soil from Mom or Dad's flower bed to fill their little containers.

Show them how to plant two or three beans in their pots and add just enough water to dampen them. Explain how they need to add water (just a little bit) every day or two and watch to see when their beans start to grow. (Tell them to call you and let you know as soon as that happens.)

If you are really ambitious, you might let them decorate their pots before the planting begins, or at least put their names on them.

7. Float boats.

If several hours have passed and you are noticing signs of kids losing interest in whatever you are doing, fill the kitchen sink with water or run a few inches in the bathtub and float boats. Kids love getting wet anytime it doesn't involve actually taking a bath.

8. Make naptime and bedtime fun instead of a struggle.

Most kids like a story at naptime. Try bringing your own book with stories they have never heard before-really interesting stories. Call it Grandpa's naptime storybook. After a while, they will start asking you as soon as you arrive if you remembered to bring your naptime storybook.

If you are babysitting in the evening, try incorporating some fun into their bedtime chores. Give them 5 minutes to disappear and reappear dressed in their PJ's. Use the counting game to have them brush their hair (and teeth) so many strokes. Use a simple eye mask while you read them their bedtime story.

There you have a few suggestions any Grandpa who finds himself becoming a baby sitter can use. Adapt them for your own use, and then be creative; come up with some more of your own so that when the kids hear that Grandpa is coming to "sit" with them, they will be eagerly watching out the windows when you arrive.