Sand Art Crafts - How do I Babysit 4 bratty kids that can't do anything fun like crafts or coloring, playdough?

How do I Babysit 4 bratty kids that can't do anything fun like crafts or coloring, playdough?

How do I babysit 4 bratty kids of the ages 2,4,9,10 years old? All we can do is play with their toys, eat. There is nothing todo, they can't color because they will throw the crayons, we can't do crafts, we can't play with playdough. I just need help!

Public Comments

Well...until you establish that YOU are the Boss..you can't do anything..you're right. I would start with making a schedule: Snack time--quiet time--lunch time--story time--crafts time--etc... You determine the activity. If the children do not want to join in then they must sit quietly and read a book or watch the others. If that is a problem..then you put them in the corner--in time out.. You must get control before you can educate or enjoy an activity together.. Be the Boss..and the rest will follower//Pack Leader as Dog Whisperer would say!! Go get 'em. and good luck.
Considering you are calling them "bratty kids" I don't think you should be babysitting. I wouldn't let you baby sit my 2 year old daughter. but if someone is willing to let you babysit then you could get some kids songs 2 year olds really like that. Also if you can manage any sorts of crafts 4 year olds really enjoy making cards and such for there parents. 9 and 10 year olds could play a board game together.
Try a park that has a spot for older kids and a baby area for the younger. Or a movie. But again, if you called my kids brats you wouldn't be babysitting. Maybe they are bratty because they pick up on your attitude.
kids love eating so try and bake some cupcakes and get them to decorate them with sprinkles. make sure they each have a spoon or they will fight over the beaters.
Is the weather nice enough where you are to play outside? For the younger 2, bubbles can keep them entertained for a while. I am sure they would be excited to do crafts, most kids are. Maybe if you tell them " we are going to color today, but anyone who throws crayons will stop coloring and will sit in time out or play with something by themselves". Hope this helps
Stop expecting them to all want to do the same thing. Try and divide the time so everyone has a chance to do something they enjoy. If the older two do not want to do what the younger two are doing, let them go and do something else. At that age they should not need constant supervision. Other then that, you can always ask them what they want to do. What is wrong with playing with toys? It is what kids do. Age 10, I considered myself too old to play with play dough.
why bother babysitting them if they are so bad? Send them out in the yard. Or set up stations with different toys. Only allow one kids at each station. When a timer goes off they can switch.
Pillow Fight! Musical instruments? even pots and pans etc.. Read to them, let them pick the books. Scavenger hunts? Races (3legged, pair a big one with a little one, help them learn to help and cooperate) Dress up/Runway Have joke telling contests? Get a BIG piece of paper and make a welcome home sign for their parents. Get modeling clay for the older ones when the younger ones are playing with play dough. Make tree ornaments. Or picture frames. Or hand prints. Try Wikki Sticks. (Fun to put on mirrors too.) Get a book about things to do with kids and let them see the book and pick things they would like to do. In any case for them to play creatively and constructively, be creative and constructive.
When I was in high school, I had a babysitting job watching a neighbor's 4 kids who were most definitely BRATS. When you say these kids are brats, I believe you. The best thing would be for all of you to go outside and play. Hopefully, it's the two year old who "will throw the crayons" and not the older ones. I wouldn't give up on trying to do crafts. Generally, children love making stuff. Try using paperplates and have them make turtles or ladybugs with them. If the older ones don't wish to do the craft, have them play a board game to keep them occupied. If they keep misbehaving, is the stress that they cause you worth the money you get watching them?